Islamic Minister Urges Young Khateebs to Commit to Lifelong Community Service

Minister of Islamic Affairs and Endowments, Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed, has called upon newly graduated religious leaders to view their certifications as a beginning rather than an end, urging them to embrace a lifetime of continuous learning and community service. Speaking at the certificate awarding ceremony for the fifth batch of the Young Khateebs Training Programme, Minister Shaheem emphasized that the ability to deliver sermons is a noble skill that carries a permanent responsibility. He described the role of a khateeb as that of a leader who must stand as a beacon of Islamic teachings and serve as a role model for the wider community. The Minister encouraged the graduates to expand their influence beyond the weekly Friday prayers, urging them to regularly lead congregational prayers and provide positive guidance for Maldivian youth. This initiative addresses a critical national shortage. As the generation of imams who served the Maldives for decades enters retirement, several islands have become reliant on visiting khateebs to conduct essential Friday services. The Young Khateebs Training Programme was specifically designed to bridge this gap, producing over 700 young religious leaders to date. Minister Shaheem reassured the public of the graduates' competence, citing the rigorous national Islamic curriculum. He noted that those who complete Imam Certificate Levels 1, 2, and 3, combined with secondary studies in Hadith, Quranic studies, and history, are fully qualified for their duties. He warned that failing to cultivate this new generation would pose serious challenges for the nation's future, as these young leaders are tasked with carrying forward Islamic values for the next century. The most recent cohort saw 91 participants complete their training. Targeted at students in Grades 10 through 12 and school leavers under the age of 18, the programme has seen a surge in popularity across the archipelago, bringing renewed energy and youth involvement to religious outreach in the Maldives.