Imams to be trained at Thailand's Islamic University: Dr. Shaheem

Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed said today that Maldivian imams will be sent to one of the most prestigious Islamic universities in Thailand for training.

Speaking at a ceremony to inaugurate the National Imam Refresher Program at the Islamic Ministry this morning, Minister Shaheem said imams would be sent abroad for training, and there would be a provision in the Islamic Ministry's Action Plan this year to provide scholarships to imams who wish to pursue Master's and Ph.D.

He said that during his previous term as Minister, imams were sent to countries like Malaysia to participate in training programs.

He said this initiative would be resumed, and imams would be sent to Malaysia, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Brunei, Morocco, and Indonesia for training.

"We are thinking of sending them to Thailand as well," he said.

As part of the national project to refresh imams launched by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs today, a special training programme will be conducted for all Maldivian imams this year. The first round of the programme is scheduled to be held in Gaafu atoll and Gaafu Dhaalu atoll next month.