The Ministry of Islamic Affairs is in the process of establishing a training and certification system for imams to address the shortage of permanent imams in island mosques.

In a Facebook post on Monday, Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed mentioned that several islands lack permanent imams to lead congregational prayers.

Shaheem explained that the shortage is due to the increasing number of mosques and the limited pool of qualified individuals in some communities who meet the requirements for full-time imam roles.

“This problem has emerged across various islands because of the rising number of mosques, coupled with a shortage of those who possess the necessary professional qualifications to serve as full-time imams,” he stated.

The minister noted that the ministry is working on initiatives to reduce dependence on temporary imams and to fill vacant positions.

These initiatives include creating job opportunities for O-Level graduates interested in becoming imams.

Additionally, the ministry plans to develop and distribute a training curriculum for individuals who have not undergone formal imam training.

Under the proposed system, an annual examination for imams would be conducted. Those who pass the exam and meet the criteria would be granted a license to serve as imams.

Shaheem mentioned that the ministry will announce the detailed implementation plan after consulting with relevant government agencies.