The fifth round of the ongoing programme designed to train young khateebs is scheduled to commence this coming week, according to the Ministry of Islamic Affairs and Endowments. Khateebs are individuals designated in the Islamic tradition to deliver the formal public sermons, or khutbah.
The youth khateeb training programme is one of the highest priority initiatives executed by the ministry under the leadership of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, aimed at resolving the shortage of preachers in island communities while expanding vital opportunities for the nation's youth, the ministry stated.
Four previous iterations of the initiative have already been successfully completed, and this impending round will train an additional 80 participants, noted Ali Waheed, the Deputy Minister of Islamic Affairs and Endowments. The available slots have been evenly distributed, with 40 allocated for participants from the greater Malé region and another 40 reserved for the outer atolls.
Training sessions for students applying from the Malé area will be hosted physically at the ministry, whilst participants joining from the atolls will conduct their coursework online, the deputy minister added.
"As a pivotal component of our efforts to empower the youth and cultivate a religiously grounded new generation, a symposium dedicated specifically to young khateebs is scheduled to be held this September,” the deputy minister stated, anticipating that two preparatory rounds will be successfully conducted by 13 September to ensure the participation of 1,000 khateebs. More than 600 individuals have earned certification to date.