The Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed, has proposed establishing a unique, culturally authentic dress code for Maldivian imams and khatibs when leading Friday and Eid prayers.
In a post on the social media platform X, Minister Shaheem pointed out that religious scholars and imams in the Maldives currently tend to wear attire heavily influenced by Egyptian and Saudi Arabian traditions during major congregational prayers. He stated that it would be a very positive step to design distinct vestments grounded in the rich history and culture of the Maldives.
To bring this vision to life, Minister Shaheem invited historians and cultural art experts to assist in designing official attire for imams, which would include appropriate traditional headwear (thaakihaa). He affirmed that the Ministry of Islamic Affairs would fully support such an initiative and is considering launching an open call or competition to gather design concepts that harmonise Islamic principles with authentic Maldivian heritage.
“Therefore, I urge historical and cultural experts to assist in designing such attire for imams. The Ministry will support vestments designed in this manner, and we are also considering opening up an opportunity for designers to submit proposals,” the Minister stated.
ރާއްޖޭގެ އިލްމުވެރިންނާއި ޚަޠީބުން އިމާމުވެ ހުކުރު ނަމާދާއި ޢީދު ނަމާދު ކުރައްވާއިރު ޢާއްމުކޮށް ތުރުކުރައްވައި އުޅުއްވަނީ މިޞްރާއި ސައުދީ އަރަބިއްޔާގެ ބޭފުޅުން ތުރުކުރައްވާ ޒާތުގެ ހެދުންކޮޅެއް. ދިވެހިރާއްޖޭގެ ތާރީޚާއި ސަޤާފަތުގެ މައްޗަށް ބިނާކޮށް މިފަދަ ހެދުންކޮޅެއް އިމާމުންނަށް… pic.twitter.com/2xEy9f4mWo
— Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed (@Mohamedshaheem1) September 14, 2026advertisement
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