Saudi University Donates 64,000 Books to Islamic Libraries in the Maldives
Photo: Islamic Ministry
Al-Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University of Saudi Arabia has donated 64,000 books to Islamic libraries across the Maldives, reinforcing educational and diplomatic ties between the two nations.
ސަޢުދީ އަރަބިއްޔާގެ އަލް އިމާމު މުޙައްމަދު އިބްނު ސަޢުދު އިސްލާމިކް ޔުނިވާސިޓީން ދިވެހިރާއްޖޭގެ އިސްލާމީ ލައިބްރަރީތަކަށް 64,000 ފޮތް ހަދިޔާކޮށްފިhttps://t.co/K2C6DE6OK4
— Ministry of Islamic Affairs (@MVIaffairs) September 8, 2025advertisement
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The donation, presented during a formal ceremony at the Islamic Centre in Malé, represents a substantial contribution to the country’s educational and cultural development.
The books were handed over by Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to the Maldives, Yahya Hassan Al-Qahtani, and Dr Saleh bin Sulaiman Al-Araja, director of the university. On behalf of the Maldivian government, Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed, Minister of Islamic Affairs, received the donation.
The donation was described by Minister Shaheem as a reflection of the “fraternal relations” between Saudi Arabia and the Maldives. He noted that the initiative demonstrates Saudi Arabia’s commitment to supporting students and researchers in the Maldives and fostering intellectual growth grounded in Islamic tradition.
Minister Shaheem also acknowledged the role of the university’s local affiliate, the Institute of Islamic and Arabic Sciences, in facilitating the donation. He extended recognition to King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and senior officials of the Saudi embassy in Malé for their support.
Ambassador Al-Qahtani and Director Al-Araja addressed the gathering, highlighting the importance of scholarly collaboration and the enduring ties between the two nations.
In honour of the contribution, the Islamic Affairs Ministry presented a commemorative certificate to Al-Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University. The ministry described the donation as a “significant step forward” in its wider initiative to establish Islamic libraries throughout the Maldives, and it is expected to support the fulfilment of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s pledge to expand access to Islamic educational resources.
