Government explores new licensing system as mosques face lack of imams

The Islamic Ministry is considering the introduction of a general examination for imams as part of efforts to expand job opportunities in the field and address the nationwide shortage of permanent imams, Islamic Minister Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed said Monday.

Shaheem said the ministry is working on immediate measures to resolve the lack of permanent and temporary imams in many mosques across the atolls. The issue, he noted, has become more pronounced with the rise in the number of mosques and the limited availability of qualified personnel in some islands.

To tackle this, the ministry aims to create more pathways for students and individuals interested in pursuing imamship.

ރާއްޖޭގެ ވަރަށް ގިނަ ރަށްރަށުގައި މިސްކިތްތަކުގައި ދާއިމީ އިމާމުން ނެތުމުގެ ސަބަބުންނާއި ވަގުތީ އިމާމުން ތިބުމުގެ މައްސަލައަށް އަވަސް ޙައްލެއް ހޯދުމަށް، މިނިސްޓްރީން މި ދަނީ މަސައްކަތްކުރަމުން. މި މައްސަލަ ރަށްތަކުގައި ދިމާވެފައިވަނީ މިސްކިތްތަކުގެ ޢަދަދު ގިނަވުމާއި އިމާމުންގެ…

— Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed (@Mohamedshaheem1) June 22, 2026

According to the minister, discussions are underway to introduce a licensing system for imamship. Under this framework, a public examination would be prescribed for those who have not completed an imamship course or a related qualification, enabling them to obtain a license to practice.

Shaheem said the ministry will announce the decision after consultations with relevant agencies are completed.