The Ministry of Islamic Affairs has announced that 18 individuals have departed to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as part of the National Project for Refreshing Imams and Khateebs. The programme was launched on February 11 and will offer training both locally in the Maldives and abroad. The initial batch of further training for imams under the project, departed for Mecca on February 16.
Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed disclosed that the second batch of further training for imams and preachers will return on May 17. The minister unveiled plans to send the group to historical sites and attractions situated in Mecca and Medina, in addition to partaking in training programmes.
Additionally, Minister Saeed outlined plans to send imams and khateebs to various countries including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Malaysia, Brunei, and Indonesia for training throughout the year.
The National Project for Refreshing Imams and khateebs is a programme aimed at enhancing the skills of permanent imams across 11 regions through additional training. With the launch of this programme, over 64 imams and khatheebs have been trained from the islands within Gaafu Alif Atoll. The government has set a target of training of the imams by the year's end through this initiative.