In a continued effort to address the shortage of local religious leaders, the government has announced a new opportunity for island and atoll councillors to undergo khateeb training, aimed at preparing them to deliver Friday sermons in their communities.
The Ministry of Islamic Affairs revealed that 50 seats will be available in the first phase of the programme, which specifically targets male councillors who are interested in supporting religious activities on their islands.
The initiative is part of a broader national strategy to reduce reliance on foreign imams and khateebs—particularly during Ramadan—by building a trained local cadre capable of leading religious services. Many islands currently lack qualified khateebs, resulting in the need to bring in speakers from elsewhere.
According to the Ministry, participants will be eligible to deliver Friday sermons after successfully completing a structured 15-week training course facilitated by the Quran Centre. The programme includes five evening classes per week, conducted online from 8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
To be eligible, applicants must demonstrate proficiency in reading the Holy Quran, and have a strong command of both Dhivehi and Arabic. Interested councillors have been invited to apply directly to the Ministry.
The launch of this targeted training for councillors follows the success of the Young Khateebs Programme, another government-led initiative aimed at cultivating the next generation of religious leaders. So far, approximately 270 young men have completed training under that scheme, which also aligns with the government’s broader goal of producing 1,000 trained khateebs during the current term.
Officials say empowering local leaders to take on religious responsibilities will not only fill current gaps but also strengthen community bonds and ensure that Islamic teachings are delivered in a manner that is culturally and linguistically aligned with local communities.
The programme reflects the administration’s commitment to enhancing religious education and self-sufficiency in Islamic affairs across the country.
