Islamic Minister Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed emphasized on Friday evening the importance of developing a strong generation capable of upholding and promoting the noble principles of Islam in the coming years. He warned that the Maldives faces a significant religious loss if this responsibility is overlooked.

Speaking at the ceremony awarding certificates to participants of the fourth round of the Young Khateebs Training Programme, Shaheem highlighted that leading prayers and calling the azan are among the most honored duties in Islam, and serving as a khateeb carries a noble and significant responsibility.

He advised the aspiring khateebs to remain committed to the right path. “Being punctual, respecting the role, and reviewing the sermon before stepping onto the minbar, regardless of one’s capability, are essential. Because mistakes can be made unknowingly during the khutbah,” he explained.

Shaheem urged young khateebs to exemplify the character expected of them and serve as role models for other children. 

He also pointed out that a major challenge today is the shortage of khateebs in some islands and the lack of imams in others. As a result, communities are often forced to bring in speakers from other islands to deliver sermons and lead prayers. 

Describing khateeb training as a crucial step in religious education, Shaheem stated that the government is prepared to support students who wish to pursue further Islamic studies. 

“It is the duty of today’s generation to address the challenges faced by many islands in this regard and to build a strong generation that will carry the message of Islam into the next century,” he said.

In a social media post, Shaheem noted that with 269 khateebs graduating from the third batch, the total number of khateebs trained through the programme has now reached 503. 

He added that the goal is to train 1,000 khateebs through the programme, and 497 more are needed to reach this target.

The khateeb programme was initiated to address the shortage of imams across the Maldives. The Ministry of Islamic Affairs conducts training programmes for students who have completed grades 10, 11, and 12.