Special examination to be held to address Imam shortage in mosques
23 ޖޫން 2026 | އަންގާރަ 12:04The Ministry of Islamic Affairs has initiated the formulation of a new regulation to address the shortage of permanent imams in island mosques by introducing a specialized competency examination. Under this framework, O-Level graduates and individuals who pass the Ministry’s prescribed syllabus will be eligible for appointment, even without formal higher education qualifications in the field. With 69 mosques currently lacking permanent imams, the government anticipates that this initiative will provide a sustainable solution to the prevailing staffing challenges across the country.
Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed. | president office
Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed has announced the introduction of a specialized imam examination and licensing process to address the urgent shortage of permanent imams across many islands in the Maldives.
In a message to the media, Minister Shaheem stated that a permanent solution is needed for the ongoing issue of islands relying on temporary imams due to a lack of permanent staff. The Minister noted that the primary reasons for this challenge include the increasing number of mosques across the islands and a shortage of individuals qualified for imam positions in certain communities.
Detailing the Ministry's plans to address the issue, the Minister stated that efforts will be made to facilitate employment opportunities for O-level graduates interested in the field. Furthermore, it has been decided that individuals who have not completed a formal training course may still be authorized to serve as Imams. This will be granted to those who pass an annual public examination conducted by the Ministry based on a specific prescribed curriculum.
The Ministry anticipates that this new system will alleviate the challenges faced in recruiting imams for islands currently experiencing shortages. Minister Shaheem stated that discussions are ongoing with relevant authorities regarding this matter, and that the official procedures will be announced shortly following the conclusion of these consultations.
According to statistics from the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, there are a total of 623 mosques across the inhabited islands of the Maldives, of which 554 have been assigned permanent imams. While there are currently 569 permanent imams nationwide, the Ministry's data reveals that 69 mosques are presently without a permanent imam. Furthermore, only 15 mosques across the entire country are staffed by two imams.
