Islamic Ministry Allows School Graduates to Become Imams

The Ministry of Islamic Affairs has made a decision to allow students who complete grade 10 to become imams.

According to Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed, young imams and khatibs who have successfully completed grades 10, 11, and 12 and possess knowledge of the fiqh of prayer will now have the opportunity to lead Friday prayers and deliver sermons.

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Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed shared this development in a post on X today, emphasising that the decision aims to provide opportunities for young imams. The move signifies a shift towards inclusivity and the encouragement of emerging talent in the field.

ޒުވާން އިމާމުންނާއި ޚަޠީބުންނަށް ފުރުޞަތު ފަހިކޮށްދިނުމުގެ ގޮތުން ގްރޭޑް 10،11،12 ނިންމާފައިވާ ރީތިކޮށް ޤުރުއާންކިޔަވާ، ނަމާދުގެ ފިޤުހަށް އަހުލުވެރި ދަރިވަރުންނަށް އިމާމުވެ ހުކުރުކޮށް ޚުޠުބާކިއުމުގެ ހުއްދަ ދޭން މިނިސްޓްރީން ނިންމައިފި.— Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed (@Mohamedshaheem1) December 10, 2023

Traditionally, individuals leading Friday prayers are required to hold a specific certificate. Presently, this permission is granted to candidates who have secured at least a C pass in Dhivehi and Islam in the SSC or HSC examination, or the second year in Arabic medium. Additionally, a national qualification of level three or above, including Quran and Fiqh, is required.

With the recent change, graduates from schools will now have the chance to obtain a preaching certificate, marking a significant departure from the previous criteria. 

This decision is expected to open up new avenues for young graduates interested in pursuing a role as imams within their communities.