Over 900 Imams Completed the National Training Program Last Year

The Ministry of Islamic Affairs has announced that 930 participants successfully completed the National Training Programme for Imams and Khatibs last year.

The intensive programme commenced on 10 February last year in Gemanafushi, Gaafu Alifu Atoll, and was conducted across 11 regions in the country, utilising both in-person and online training sessions.

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In Male’, 138 participants completed the in-person sessions. Other locations for in-person training included Gaafu Alifu and Gaafu Dhaalu Atolls, which hosted 76 participants, Addu City with 68 participants, and Fuvahmulah with 15 participants. The remaining participants attended online sessions.

The Minister for Islamic Affairs, Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed, described the programme as highly successful and well-structured, highlighting its intensive nature and the smooth execution of the refresher component. To ensure the quality of online training, employees from the ministry’s Mosque Section visited several islands.

The training programme comprised nine modules, covering a range of topics aimed at enhancing the skills and knowledge of imams. The ministry expressed gratitude to local atoll and island councils for their support in ensuring the programme’s success.

Improving the standard of imams in the Maldives has been a key priority for the current administration. In addition to the National Training Programme, over 100 opportunities were offered last year for imams to pursue training abroad. Furthermore, two imams were appointed to each mosque, and initiatives to provide Arabic language training for imams were also introduced.