Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed has expressed hope that students who graduate from the Young Khateebs Programme will become leaders in the country's religious affairs.
Minister Shaheem said the programme aims to train young Khateebs for the noble purpose of addressing the lack of Khateebs in the islands. Noting the high-quality Islamic studies curriculum in schools, he said that if the students who graduate from schools are well educated in Islamic studies, their religious knowledge will be richer than those who have taken the Imam certificate course. As such, he said they would only need to additional training and experience to become imams or khateebs.
Additionally, Minister Shaheem said students who are talented in reciting the Holy Quran fluently do not receive many opportunities to showcase their skill once they graduate. However, he said their character will be greatly enhanced once they receive permission to deliver Friday sermons or lead prayers. He expressed hope that these students will become leaders in the religious affairs of the country in the future.
The Islamic ministry has begun interviewing 160 young people who enrolled in the Young Khateebs Programme. After the interview process, they will be trained on becoming imams and khateebs and will receive permission to deliver sermons and lead prayers once they complete the training programme. The programme was launched by Minister Shaheem to allow students in grades 10, 11 and 12 and graduates the opportunity to lead the Friday prayers.