The Imam of the Islamic Centre, Sheikh Mohamed Latheef, has launched a sharp public attack on Iran, accusing Tehran of seeking total regional hegemony and aiming to bring Islam’s holiest sites under its control.
In a lengthy social media post published on X, Sheikh Latheef who holds ministerial rank as Imam of the Maldives Islamic Centre claimed that Iran’s overarching geopolitical objective is to seize control of the Two Holy Mosques in Makkah and Madinah.
“Iran wants to exert control over the Two Holy Mosques and the sacred sites of Muslims, bringing them under their dominion,” Sheikh Latheef wrote, alleging that Tehran seeks both direct and indirect domination over the wider Gulf region.
Expanding on his critique, the senior cleric pointed to Iranian influence across Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, and Yemen, citing the Houthis as a key proxy in Tehran’s broader regional strategy. He argued that public statements made by Iranian-aligned figures regarding control over the Bab al-Mandab Strait and the Red Sea signal an intention to push towards Saudi Arabia’s holy cities.
In his post, Sheikh Latheef also addressed theological divisions, sharply criticising Shia doctrine and warning Sunni Muslims against sympathising with Iranian policy. He highlighted traditional sectarian grievances, including historical Shia opposition to early Islamic Caliphs and key figures from the Prophet’s household, as evidence of what he termed a long-standing hostility towards sunni muslims.
The Maldives government and the Ministry of Islamic Affairs have not issued an official comment regarding the senior Imam’s public remarks.
