Islamic Affairs Ministry and IUM Partner to Study Local Tourism Impact

The Ministry of Islamic Affairs and Endowments and the Islamic University of the Maldives (IUM) have entered into two strategic partnerships aimed at societal research and the promotion of scientific advancement. The first agreement establishes a joint research initiative to analyze the "Impact of Local Tourism on Society." This study seeks to examine how the growth of the domestic tourism sector influences the social and cultural fabric of Maldivian communities. The agreement was signed at a ceremony held at the Islamic Centre’s conference hall by Deputy Minister of Islamic Affairs Hawwa Latheef and IUM Dean Dr. Aminath Shafiya Adam. In a separate agreement, the Ministry will establish an Islamic Waqf Fund to support academic excellence. This fund will serve as a platinum sponsor for the upcoming International Conference on Scientific Advancement, an event organized by the Islamic University of the Maldives to foster global knowledge exchange. This second partnership was formalized by State Minister Dr. Mohamed Shujau Abdul Hakeem and IUM Vice Chancellor Dr. Visal Moosa. The collaboration underscores a commitment to integrating traditional Islamic endowments with modern academic pursuits, providing essential financial backing for high-level scientific discourse within the archipelago. By combining the resources of the state and academia, both institutions aim to generate data-driven insights into the Maldives' evolving tourism landscape while ensuring that scientific research remains sustainable through the Waqf system.