Ministry of Islamic Affairs has opened a book of condolence for the late Dr. Abdul Majeed Abdul Bari, the country’s first-ever Islamic Minister.

The book was launched at a ceremony held at the ministry on Thursday morning, with the President of the Fatwa Majlis - the national religious advisory body – Sheikh Mohamed Rasheed Ibrahim signing the book first. Islamic Minister Dr. Ahmed Ziyad Baghir was the second to sign the condolence book.

The condolence book will be open for two days- Thursday and Sunday (May 27) from 10am to 2pm.

Speaking afterwards, Minister Ziyad said that with the passing of Dr. Majeed, that the country has lost ‘a treasure’ in the education field, adding that the former Islamic Minister had always been ‘honest and loyal’ in his work.

The minister further noted that Dr. Majeed is not just recognized in the Maldives, but throughout the world- having spoken in various international platforms.

Dr. Abdul Majeed Abdul Bari- Maldives’ first Minister of Islamic Affairs and first head of The Institute of Holy Quran- was in Sri Lanka when his health suddenly deteriorated and was found unconscious on the floor of his room. Doctors had said that he had suffered complications due to a stroke and was placed in a medically induced coma. He was breathing with the help of a ventilator in his last few days before passing away on Tuesday at the age of 55. His funeral service and burial was held on Wednesday afternoon, after afternoon prayers.

Dr. Bari had been the Islamic Minister during former President Nasheed’s three-year administration, and had remained an active member of the opposition movement until his last days. He was also a lecturer at the Maldives National University.

The first Maldivian to earn a doctorate in Tafsir and Ulum al-Quran, Dr. Bari studied at the Islamic University of Al-Madinah, Saudi Arabia.

Following news of the former minister’s demise, President Abdulla Yameen sent a condolence message to his family, noting that he was ‘saddened’ to hear the news.