The administration plans to expand its training programmes for imams to additional countries next year, Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed has revealed. This revelation was made during the closing ceremony of the national programme to train Imams and Katheebs.
Minister Shaheem stated that numerous individuals were granted opportunities to train abroad this year to become imams. The administration intends to amplify these opportunities in the upcoming year, broadening the training programmes to include countries such as Jordan, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Malaysia, among others, he added.
"In contrast to what you learn in classrooms, these trips provide the opportunity to learn from the experience of others and observe their practices. Information and education that cannot be obtained in classrooms will be acquired through these trips," Minister Shaheem said.
The minister also announced that the administration intends to implement the Imam training programme as a national initiative next year. Reflecting on this year's programme, Minister Shaheem assured that efforts would be made to enhance and improve the programme, with the introduction of new modules.
The training programme, which targets training Imams and Khatheebs in 11 regions of the country, is based on nine modules and is designed for individuals who wish to pursue these roles as professions. So far, 818 individuals have been trained through the programme, which has been conducted in the north, south, and central regions of the country.
In alignment with the administration’s objective to offer more training opportunities and elevate the standards of imams, over 100 imams were granted the opportunity to travel abroad for training programmes this year. Additionally, the ministry appointed two imams for larger mosques and initiated a conference dedicated to imams. The ministry also introduced programmes aimed at teaching imams the Arabic language.