Maldivian Imams to Study Arabic in Morocco Under New Agreement

The Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed, has announced that the Maldives will soon sign an agreement with the Moroccan government to allow Maldivian imams to study Arabic in Morocco.

This development follows a letter sent by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu to the King of Morocco, as part of efforts to create more international learning opportunities for Maldivians. The Moroccan government has now officially confirmed that Maldivian imams will be welcomed to a specialised institute in Morocco dedicated to teaching Arabic to imams.

This institute operates directly under the supervision of the King of Morocco and offers students full accommodation along with pocket money during their stay. The Islamic Minister confirmed that a formal agreement has been received and will be signed soon to begin the study programme.

The initiative is aimed at expanding the religious knowledge and international exposure of local imams. The government has made the training of imams and Khatheebs a top priority, with over 800 trained last year alone.
In 2023, the Maldives also hosted its first seminar for imams to discuss their roles, challenges, and ways to support their continued learning. Similar training programmes were also carried out in other countries.

This new opportunity in Morocco marks another step forward in developing the capacity of Maldivian religious scholars.