Established Date: 21 February 2014

Vice Chancellor: 2015–2016
Chancellor: 2016–2018
Part-Time Lecturer: 2015–2018

Served as Chairman of the Presidential Committee appointed by H.E. President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom while serving as Minister of Islamic Affairs, leading the historic transformation of the College of Islamic Studies into the Islamic University of Maldives (IUM), which was officially established on 21 February 2014 as the first Islamic university in the Republic of Maldives. This transformation marked a major milestone in the country’s higher education landscape by creating a dedicated national institution for advanced Islamic scholarship, research, and professional education.

Dr. Shaheem played a pioneering role in the academic development, and institutional strengthening of the Islamic University of Maldives (IUM), serving as the founding Vice Chancellor (2015–2016) and later as Chancellor (2016–2018) of the university. Under his leadership, IUM expanded its academic and research capacity while integrating Islamic scholarship with contemporary national priorities in governance, socio-economic development, and public policy. One of his most significant academic achievements was the development and introduction of the first Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programmes in the Maldives in the field of Islamic Judicial Sciences and Legislative Policy, marking a historic milestone in the country’s higher education system. In addition to executive leadership roles, Dr. Shaheem also served as a Part-Time Lecturer at IUM from 2015 to 2018, contributing directly to teaching and academic mentoring while supporting the development of Islamic scholarship at postgraduate and advanced levels.

• Under the leadership of Dr. Shaheem and through a collaborative team-based approach, led the formulation and implementation of the inaugural Strategic Plan (2015–2020) and Annual Action Plan (2015) of the Islamic University of Maldives (IUM), establishing the University’s first comprehensive institutional planning framework following its formation as the Maldives’ first Islamic university. The Strategic Plan provided a structured roadmap for academic excellence, research development, governance, quality assurance, international collaboration, institutional growth, and community engagement, ensuring that IUM’s development was aligned with national educational priorities and Islamic scholarly values. This initiative laid a strong administrative and academic foundation for the long-term growth of IUM, strengthening its role as a national centre for Islamic higher education, scholarship, leadership development, and service to the Muslim community.
• Led the formulation of the core governance framework of the Islamic University of Maldives (IUM) through a collaborative teamwork following its establishment, developing the institutional policies, procedures, standard operating procedures, rules, and regulations required to operationalize and administer the University effectively. This initiative established the foundation for sound university governance, academic administration, quality assurance, regulatory compliance, and institutional accountability during IUM’s formative years. By creating a structured administrative and governance system, the initiative strengthened IUM’s capacity to function as the first Islamic university in the Maldives, supporting its long-term mission of advancing Islamic higher education, scholarship, and service to the Muslim community.
• Led the formation of a multidisciplinary academic development team at the Islamic University of Maldives (IUM), bringing together religious scholars and technical experts educated in Egypt, Malaysia, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, and the United States to support the development of modern academic programmes in Islamic studies and related fields. Through collaborative leadership, the team formulated and introduced several contemporary degree and master’s programmes, including Bachelor of Imamship and Local Governance, Master of Fiqh and Usul al-Fiqh, Master of Islamic Judicial Sciences and Shari’ah Policy, Master of Qirā’ath, Master of Islamic Revealed Knowledge, Leadership and Administration, Master of Aqidah and Islamic Thought, Master of Education in Leadership and Administration, and Master of Arts in Journalism and Media Communications, along with other Arabic and Islamic studies courses. These programmes strengthened academic specialization and professional capacity in fields essential to modern Islamic service, including imamship, Shariah governance, Islamic jurisprudence, Qur’anic studies, religious administration, education leadership, and media communication, thereby contributing to the development of qualified scholars, educators, religious leaders, and professionals for the Muslim community.
• Provided strategic leadership in strengthening the institutional framework of the IUM, enhancing its academic programme development, research capacity and scholarly publication, international academic collaboration, and community engagement, while integrating Islamic scholarship with contemporary socio-economic and governance priorities at both national and international levels.
• Spearheaded the introduction and institutionalization of structured academic programmes in Islamic Finance, including Advanced Certificate in Islamic Finance, Diploma in Islamic Finance, Bachelor of Islamic Banking and Finance, and Master’s in Islamic Finance Practice, positioning IUM the first higher education institution in the Maldives to offer specialized academic qualifications in this field; contributing to the development of national expertise in Shariah-compliant finance and ethical financial governance supporting the emerging Islamic finance sector in the Maldives.
• Initiated and established IUM Holdings Pvt Ltd in September 2017 as a strategic institutional enterprise designed to generate sustainable revenue for the Islamic University of Maldives (IUM). The company was structured with 99% ownership held by IUM and 1% by the IUM Student Union, creating a hybrid institutional holding model aimed at strengthening financial sustainability and reducing long-term dependence on state funding. The company was mandated to undertake commercial, consultancy, and professional training activities, enabling the university to diversify its income sources while supporting the advancement of Islamic higher education in the Maldives.
• Led the strategic planning and structuring of the IUM Sanabil Project, a major infrastructure initiative aimed at establishing the first tertiary education centre of the Islamic University of Maldives in Hulhumalé. The project involves the development of a purpose-built university facility located near Hulhumalé Central Park to expand access to higher education in Islamic studies and related disciplines. Dr. Shaheem also led the initiative to secure and acquire the land for the project, laying the foundational groundwork for its implementation.
• Led the publication of the Arabic language teaching book series “Silsilathul Maaldif Li Thauleemul Luqathul Arabiyyah” (The Maldives Series for Teaching the Arabic Language) through the Islamic University of Maldives in 2016, under the leadership of Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed and a dedicated IUM academic team. The series was adapted from the Yemen Institute for Arabic Language (YIAL) curriculum and developed to strengthen structured Arabic language learning in the Maldives. Under this initiative, 32 books out of the planned 43-book series were successfully published with funding from the Zakat Fund administered by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs. The series supported specialized diploma-level Arabic language pathways, including Arabic for Diplomatic Purposes, Arabic for Commercial Purposes, Arabic for Media Purposes, Arabic for Tourism Purposes, and Arabic for Religious Purposes. This initiative significantly contributed to enhancing Arabic language proficiency, access to Islamic scholarship, professional communication skills, and institutional Arabic education capacity in the Maldives, thereby strengthening the foundation for Islamic studies, diplomacy, media, tourism, and religious service.
• Led the development of the Islamic University of Maldives’ international academic cooperation framework by negotiating and concluding strategic Memorandum of Understanding with leading international institutions, including the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), the Islamic University of Madinah, the International Islamic University Islamabad, and the Apex Modern American University of Science and Technology. These partnerships strengthened global collaboration in academic exchange, joint research, curriculum development, faculty and student capacity-building, scholarly mobility, and the co-organization of international conferences and academic programmes. This initiative significantly enhanced the international profile of the Islamic University of Maldives, advanced Islamic higher education and scholarly excellence, and created stronger pathways for knowledge exchange between the Maldives and leading Islamic academic institutions worldwide.
• Led the initiative to strengthen advanced Arabic language education at the Islamic University of Maldives by recruiting qualified professors from Arab countries to teach Arabic language courses within master’s degree programmes, marking the first time such specialized instruction was introduced at the University. The initiative enhanced the quality of postgraduate Islamic education by providing students with direct instruction from native Arabic-speaking scholars, thereby strengthening Arabic language proficiency and enabling deeper engagement with classical and contemporary Islamic sources. This contribution significantly strengthened the University’s academic capacity in Arabic language studies, improved access to authentic Islamic scholarship, and supported the development of future Islamic scholars, researchers, educators, and professionals capable of contributing effectively to Islamic education and service.
• Initiated PhD scholarship programmes for lecturers at the IUM, enabling academic staff to pursue advanced doctoral studies and strengthen the university’s research and teaching capacity. These initiatives contributed to developing a new generation of highly qualified Maldivian scholars in Islamic studies and related academic disciplines, thereby enhancing the intellectual foundation of Islamic higher education in the country.
• Developed international academic cooperation frameworks by facilitating agreements between the IUM and foreign institutions, strengthening global collaboration in areas including academic exchange, research cooperation, and higher education development. These partnerships enhanced opportunities for scholarly engagement and institutional capacity-building while integrating the Maldivian Islamic higher education system with international academic networks.
• To support academic research and professional training in Islamic finance, Dr. Shaheem led the establishment of the largest Islamic Finance library in the Maldives at the Islamic University of Maldives, enhancing academic research capacity, academic resources, and industry-oriented scholarship in the field of Islamic Finance.
• Organized and led the International Conference on Islamic Awakening (ICIA) in 2016 and 2017, bringing together more than 300 international scholars, industry leaders, policymakers, and researchers which followed the first International Conference on Islamic Finance ever organized in the Maldives. The conferences focused on sustainable and resilient growth of the Islamic finance industry, emphasizing innovation in Islamic financial instruments, innovation in Islamic financial instruments and strategic policy frameworks for the development of Islamic finance.
• Dedicated a special issue of the international multidisciplinary journal Al-Manhaj to research in Islamic finance. This initiative enhanced the dissemination of peer-reviewed research, scholarly dialogue, and evidence-based policy discussions, contributing to the intellectual development of the Islamic finance sector both nationally and internationally.
• Contributed to the international recognition of IUM for its contributions to Islamic finance education. In 2017, the university received the Silver Award for “Education Provider of the Year” at the Islamic Finance Forum of South Asia (IFFSA), recognizing the institution’s leadership in advancing Islamic finance education and research.
• Introduced University Core modules across all levels, from Pre-University to Doctorate programmes, aligning institutional curricula with Islamic values, ethical frameworks, and national educational objectives.
• Initiated and produced national religious awareness media programmes broadcasted during Ramadan 1438H and 1439H, aimed at strengthening public understanding of Islam and promoting moderation which contributed significantly to enhancing public religious literacy, promoting balanced Islamic understanding, and strengthening social cohesion within Maldivian society.
• “Prophet of Mercy” – a 30-episode television series
• “Ulul-Azm” – a 5-episode educational series
• Led and institutionalized research-driven and community engagement initiatives at the Islamic University of Maldives (IUM) in strategic collaboration with the National Counter Terrorism Center of the Maldives and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), contributing to evidence-based policy dialogue, academic research, and capacity-building programmes aimed at preventing extremism and strengthening social resilience within the Maldivian community. In recognition of these contributions, the Maldives National Defence Force formally recognized the Islamic University of Maldives in 2018 for its efforts in promoting moderation, national security awareness, and counter-extremism initiatives.

Dean: 2011 – 2012
Part-Time Lecturer: 2010 – 2013

Institution: Villa College, Republic of Maldives

 Dr. Shaheem played a pioneering role in strengthening Islamic higher education in the Maldives through his leadership and academic contributions at Villa College, one of the country’s leading private higher education institutions. Between 2011 and 2012, he served as the Dean of the Faculty of Shariah and Islamic Studies, where he provided foundational academic leadership during the formative stage of the faculty. He played a central role in establishing the governance structures, institutional and academic framework for structured Islamic higher education programmes within the college. His leadership contributed to laying the foundation for what later evolved into the Faculty of Shariah and Law, thereby strengthening the faculty’s academic credibility and reputation within the national higher education landscape.

• Shaheem also served as a Part-Time Lecturer from 2010 to 2013, contributing directly to the advancement of Islamic studies through teaching, academic mentoring, and scholarly engagement with students pursuing Shariah disciplines. His academic contributions supported the development of students’ understanding of Islamic jurisprudence, legal reasoning, and the ethical foundations of Islamic scholarship.
• Led the design and development of comprehensive academic programmes and course modules, overseeing curriculum formulation through extensive consultation with respected Islamic scholars and collaboration with reputable international Islamic universities to ensure academic quality, relevance, and alignment with global standards in Islamic education.

Established Date: 14^th October 2021

Chairman / Director: 2021 – 2023

Institution: Al-Madheena Investment Pvt. Ltd, Republic of Maldives

Co-founded Al-Madheena Investment Pvt. Ltd., an educational investment initiative established to promote quality education grounded in Islamic values, ethical principles, and knowledge development in the Maldives. Serving as Chairman and Director from 2021 to 2023, he provided strategic leadership in shaping the organization’s mission of strengthening the national education landscape by integrating academic excellence with Islamic ethical principles, ensuring that education remains accessible and beneficial to learners regardless of age or gender.

• Provided strategic leadership in developing Islamic-oriented educational institutions under the organization’s umbrella, including the ILM Institute for Islamic Studies in 2021, which focuses on higher and adult Islamic education, and Kokkomen Preschool in 2017, an early childhood education institution integrating foundational learning with Islamic moral development. Through this initiative, contributed to expanding structured Islamic education opportunities across different stages of learning.
• Advanced a long-term vision to establish a comprehensive Islamic education ecosystem, positioning Al-Madheena Investment to support institutions ranging from early childhood education to higher education and specialized Islamic studies, thereby strengthening human capital development and promoting Islamic values within the Maldivian education system.
• Led the initiative to establish Madina International School as part of a long-term vision to expand Islamic educational services in the Maldives, creating an institution that integrates academic education with Islamic studies from pre-school to Grade 10, with English as the medium of instruction. The project incorporates a purpose-built mosque within the school campus to facilitate congregational worship, Qur’anic education, Islamic learning, and character development as integral components of the educational environment. The mosque groundbreaking ceremony was held on 5 March 2024, followed by the Madina International School groundbreaking ceremony on 3 April 2026, marking significant milestones in the realization of the project. Guided by the philosophy of building people before structures, the initiative was designed to nurture students through the inculcation of Islamic values, sound Aqidah based on the Qur’an and the Sunnah, Qur’an memorization and recitation, Arabic language proficiency, leadership development, academic excellence, and moral character. The project aims to develop a new generation of Muslims distinguished by strong Islamic identity, intellectual competence, ethical leadership, and personal resilience, while contributing to the long-term advancement of Islamic education and human capital development in the Maldives.

Established Date: 02^nd November 2021

Founder and Chairman: 2021 – 2023

Institution: Kokkomen Preschool, Republic of Maldives

Founded Kokkomen Preschool, an early childhood education institution established in 2017 and registered with the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Maldives, as part of his broader vision to expand Islamic-based educational institutions in the Maldives. He later served as Chairman of the institution from 2021 to 2023, providing strategic leadership in institutional development and educational programming.

Kokkomen Preschool was established to create a nurturing and academically stimulating learning environment for children aged 18 months to 6 years, integrating the national preschool curriculum with structured programmes focused on Islamic values, ethics, and character development. The institution emphasizes the development of moral values, social responsibility, and foundational Islamic knowledge while maintaining internationally recognized early childhood education practices such as play-based learning and child-centered pedagogical approaches.

• The preschool currently serves more than 300 students, demonstrating strong community engagement and demand for Islamic-oriented early childhood education. In addition, the institution operates a dedicated Qur’an Centre supporting over 200 learners, providing structured programmes for Qur’anic recitation and early memorization, thereby strengthening children’s engagement with the Qur’an from a young age.
• Under Dr. Shaheem’s leadership, the institution implemented several key initiatives including, The systemization of Islamic-integrated preschool curricula, The development of Islamic educational booksets and learning materials and the introduction of technology-enabled communication platforms to strengthen engagement between educators and parents.
• Led initiatives to strengthen the professional capacity of early childhood educators, recognizing the importance of qualified teachers in delivering Islamic-integrated education. Through institutional partnerships, Dr. Shaheem facilitated international teacher training programmes, enabling educators to receive professional training in early childhood and Islamic education in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Türkiye.

Established Date: 28 October 2021
Director General: 2020 – 2023

Institution: ILM Institute for Islamic Studies, Republic of Maldives

• Founded the ILM Institute for Islamic Studies to address the shortage of structured and advanced Islamic education in the Maldives, establishing an academic institution dedicated to strengthening specialization in key fields of Islamic knowledge including Qur’anic Sciences, Hadith Sciences, Islamic Jurisprudence (Fiqh), Islamic Theology (Aqidah), and Islamic ethical values, thereby contributing to the development of qualified Islamic scholars, educators, and community leaders in the Maldives.
• Promoted Arabic language proficiency as a strategic academic priority, recognizing Arabic as the essential medium for accessing the vast body of classical Islamic scholarship developed over fourteen centuries. The Institute introduced structured Arabic language programmes to help Maldivian students overcome linguistic barriers and gain direct access to primary Islamic sources and scholarly literature.
• Established a national Qur’an memorization initiative under the Institute’s academic framework aimed at developing 100 qualified Huffāẓ, while expanding broader Qur’anic education opportunities across the country. The programme currently supports more than 600 active students enrolled in structured memorization programmes, strengthening Qur’anic literacy and scholarship within the Maldivian community.
• Expanded institutional presence by establishing ILM Institute campuses in Malé City and Hulhumalé, improving access to Islamic education and scholarly development opportunities for students within the capital region and supporting broader community engagement in religious education.
• Developed and implemented a comprehensive range of Maldives Qualifications Authority (MQA) approved academic programmes to strengthen Islamic education and professional capacity within the Maldives. These include Certificate Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 in Arabic Language, as well as a structured Arabic Language Programme for children aged 7–16 designed to build early linguistic proficiency.
• Introduced structured programmes in Qur’anic studies including Certificate Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 in Qirā’ath (Qur’an Recitation) alongside a Hifz Development Programme aimed at training 100 qualified Huffāẓ. These programmes strengthen the national capacity for Qur’anic education and religious leadership.
• Pioneered specialized professional education in Islamic institutional management by introducing the first Diploma in Zakat Management and Sciences in the Maldives, as well as programmes including Diploma in Imams and Mosque Management and Diploma in Arabic Language and Islamic Studies, thereby creating structured academic pathways for Islamic scholarship, mosque administration, and religious service leadership.
• Led the academic design and formulation of curriculum frameworks and module outlines for Arabic language studies, Islamic studies programmes, Qirā’ath certification courses, Imam and mosque management training, and Zakat management specialization programmes, ensuring academically robust and professionally structured course delivery.
• ILM collaborated with the Islamic Organization for Culture and Civilization (IOCC) Think Tank to develop Islamic educational booksets for early childhood learning designed for students from Nursery to UKG level, strengthening foundational Islamic education from the earliest stages of learning. Oversaw the publication of the Baby Nursery Islamic Activity Book, released on 12 June 2022, an educational resource designed to introduce foundational Islamic values through age-appropriate activities suitable for both classroom and home learning environments. Facilitated nationwide accessibility of Islamic educational materials, ensuring that educational resources produced by the Institute are distributed at affordable prices to students across atolls and islands throughout the Maldives, thereby strengthening equitable access to early Islamic education and promoting religious literacy at the foundational stages of learning.
• Led the development and publication of the Maldives’ first comprehensive Islamic-integrated preschool book series through the ILM Institute for Islamic Studies, in collaboration with the Islamic Organization for Culture and Civilization (IOCC). Initiated in 2021 and officially launched on 4 July 2026, the project represents a pioneering contribution to early childhood Islamic education in the Maldives. The series comprises 65 educational books covering the full Foundation Studies stage, including Baby Nursery, Nursery, Lower Kindergarten (LKG), and Upper Kindergarten (UKG). It integrates the Maldives National Curriculum with Arabic Language, Islamic Values, and Ethics, creating a holistic educational framework that nurtures children’s intellectual, moral, and spiritual development from the earliest years. Developed under Dr. Shaheem’s direct supervision, the books underwent academic and educational review to ensure quality, relevance, and suitability for preschool learners. The first 16 Baby Nursery books were officially launched, while the remaining 49 titles have been completed and prepared for publication. This initiative established the first preschool educational series of its kind in the Maldives, strengthening access to structured Islamic early childhood learning materials and supporting the development of a generation grounded in Islamic values, Arabic language exposure, and sound moral formation.

Advisor: 2020 – 2021

Institution: Avid College, Republic of Maldives

Served as Advisor to Avid College, providing strategic guidance on institutional development and the advancement of Islamic higher education programmes, with a particular focus on strengthening academic specialization in Islamic jurisprudence and judicial studies within the Maldivian higher education sector.

• Led the design and development of Islamic curriculum frameworks, including the formulation and establishment of the Master of Science in Islamic Judicial Practice programme, a specialized postgraduate programme designed to enhance professional competency in Islamic jurisprudence, judicial procedures, legal reasoning, and Shariah-based adjudication.
• Served as a Part-Time Lecturer within the Master of Science in Islamic Judicial Practice programme, delivering postgraduate-level instruction in Islamic legal reasoning, judicial processes, and the practical application of Shariah principles within modern legal and institutional contexts.