Gov’t Opens Khateeb Training Programme to Local Councillors

The government has opened the opportunity for island and atoll councillors to participate in a Khateeb training programme, as part of a broader effort to address the nationwide shortage of imams and khateebs.

The Ministry of Islamic Affairs announced that 50 councillors will be enrolled in the first round of the programme. The initiative aims to reduce the current reliance on foreign imams and khateebs, particularly during Ramadan, by equipping local individuals with the necessary skills to deliver Friday sermons.

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ކައުންސިލަރުންނަށް ޚާއްސަ ޚަޠީބުކަމުގެ ކޯހުގައި ބައިވެރިވުމުގެ ފުރުސަތު ހުޅުވާލައިފިhttps://t.co/YzoXoQODrx— Ministry of Islamic Affairs (@MVIaffairs) June 17, 2025

Participants will undergo a three-month training course conducted through the Quran Centre. Upon successful completion, councillors will be eligible to lead Friday prayers. The Ministry has now invited interested male councillors to apply for the programme.

Applicants will be selected based on their proficiency in reading the Holy Quran, as well as their fluency in Dhivehi and Arabic. The course will span 15 weeks, with classes held online five days a week, from 8:30 pm to 10:30 pm.

This new training opportunity for councillors is part of the government’s broader religious education initiatives. Alongside this, the government has also launched a Young Khateebs Programme, through which approximately 270 young men have already completed training in its first two rounds.

The administration has set a target of training 1,000 young khateebs during its current term.