Minister Calls for Building a Strong Generation to Uphold Islamic Values for the Next Century

The Minister of Islamic Affairs and Endowments, Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed, has emphasized the importance of building a resilient and strong generation that will uphold the symbols and values of Islam in the Maldives for the coming century.

The Minister made these remarks while addressing a special ceremony held Friday night at the Islamic Centre’s seminar hall to award certificates to participants who successfully completed the fourth round of the Young Khatib Training Program.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Minister stated that laying such important foundations is essential when considering the future of the Maldives. He noted that the Young Khatib Training Program has helped address longstanding challenges faced by many islands, recalling that before the initiative began, several islands lacked qualified khatibs to lead Friday prayers.

Addressing the newly certified khatibs, the Minister described their chosen path as one of great virtue and reminded them that serving as an Imam is among the noblest responsibilities in Islam.

He urged the young khatibs to carry out their duties with sincerity, punctuality, and dedication. The Minister also advised them to carefully review the Friday sermon (khutbah) before ascending the minbar and stressed that every khatib should be a source of goodness within the community and serve as a role model for the nation’s youth.

Under the Ministry’s Young Khatib Training Program, a total of 621 individuals have now been certified. The Ministry aims to train 1,000 young khatibs by the end of this year. The initiative is regarded as one of the most significant achievements in the Islamic sector under the leadership of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.