The Maldives is participating in the international conference hosted by Mohamed Bin Zayed University in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Representatives of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Maldives National University (MNU), and Villa College joined this year’s conference, which is titled Islamic Studies in Universities: Towards Promoting the Values of Citizenship and Coexistence. The Maldives delegation is led by Minister of State for Islamic Affairs Ilyas Jamaal who received the opportunity to give an address at the opening ceremony. The delegation also consists of the Dean of the MNU Faculty of Shariah Dr. Abdul Sattar, the Rector of Villa College Dr. Ahmed Anwar, and Vice-Rector Dr. Ali Najeeb.
Chancellor of the Mohamed Bin Zayed University Dr. Khaled Al Dhaheri said the conference is being organised as part of the university’s mission to be a catalyst for cultural discourse and enlightenment as well as to contribute to the development of knowledge and research in the field of Islamic studies. He said there is a great need for Muslim societies to invest in developing insights that will be beneficial to human society and will contribute to the progress of nations, by putting a spotlight on the inter-relationships between language, humanity, and religions in a way that will lead to progress, renewal, and modernisation.
Chancellors Al Dhaheri stressed that knowledge integration should be taken into account in determining educational outcomes when formulating religious education programs, in order to build conscious and well-rounded religious leaders, who can help us better understand the needs and future aspirations of this generation, as well as produce a new religious discourse that contributes in meeting those needs and responding to those aspirations, through the development of appropriate programmes and projects.