The Ministry of Islamic Affairs has announced 50 scholarship opportunities through the Zakat fund to seek higher studies in Maldives and abroad. The scholarships were officially announced at a ceremony held at the Islamic Centre on Monday.
Out of the 50 scholarships offered by the Zakat Fund, 20 opportunities have been designated to study within the Maldives, while 30 opportunities are available for study abroad. The Ministry of Islamic Affairs said 13 of the 30 international scholarships are special scholarships for higher education.
The local scholarships are open for courses offered by the Maldives National University (MNU) and the Islamic University of Maldives (IUM). These include:
* Master of Arts in Quranic Sciences – 6 scholarships
* Master of Islamic Revealed Knowledge, Leadership and Administration – 3 scholarships
* Executive Masters in Islamic Finance – 5 scholarships
* Master of Arts in Sharia – 3 scholarships
* Master of Arts in Islamic Studies – 3 scholarships
The Zakat Fund has opened the opportunity to study abroad in Malaysia, Brunei, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and SAARC countries for international scholarships. While 17 opportunities have been opened for study in Malaysia and Brunei, the opportunity is open to study at International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), University Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM), International Center for Education in Islamic Finance (INCEIF) and University Brunei Darussalam (UBD). Two degree opportunities, six masters and nine PhD opportunities are available from Malaysia and Brunei.
Scholarship areas for Malaysia and Brunei include:
* Bachelor in Halal Industry Management - 2 scholarship
* Master of Islamic Banking and Finance/Masters of Science in Islamic Finance – 2 scholarship
* Master of Education in Teaching of Islamic Education - 1 scholarship
* Master of Quranic and Sunnah Studies - 1 scholarship
* Master of Islamic Science - 1 scholarship
* Doctor of Philosophy in Sharia and Judiciary – 1 scholarship
* Doctor of Philosophy in Islamic Science – 1 scholarship
* Doctor of Philosophy in Da'wah and Islamic Management – ​​1 scholarship
* Doctor of Philosophy in Quranic and Sunni Studies – 1 scholarship
* Doctor of Philosophy in Islamic Banking and Finance – 2 scholarship
* Doctor of Philosophy in Sharia and Law – 2 scholarship
* Masters in Islamic Civilisation and Contemporary Issues - 1 scholarship
* PhD in Islamic Civilisation and Contemporary Issues - 1 scholarship
Meanwhile, 13 special scholarships are available from Al-Azhar University in Egypt, Medina University in Saudi Arabia, Qasim University, Umm Al-Qura University, Abha University and King Abdulaziz University, as well as in selected SAARC countries.
In addition, one opportunity is open to train as a super specialist in urology, urological surgery, pediatric neurology and neurology.
The Ministry also announced 10 stipend opportunists for students pursing Sharia, Al-Qadha, Tafseer, Hadith, Uloom al-Quran,Arabic, Usooluddin and Islamic subjects. These stipends are intended to assist with expenses that are not covered by the institutions.
According to the Islamic Ministry, these scholarships reflect President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s efforts to strengthen the Zakat system in the Maldives. Early in his administration, the President established the Zakat House of Maldives and began to strengthen the Zakat system.