Imam and Khatib of Masjid al-Nabawi of Medina, Saudi Arabia, Dr Salah al-Budhair, has been granted official permission by King Salman bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia to pay an official visit to the Maldives.
The Ministry of Islamic Affairs invited the Imam and Khatib of the Holy Mosque of Medina to visit the Maldives upon the recommendation of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu.
During his visit, Dr Salahul Budair will deliver a Friday sermon at the Islamic Centre in Male’. He is also scheduled to pay a courtesy call on President Dr Muizzu, deliver a religious lecture to the public and meet with local scholars. He will also visit the King Salman Mosque and Islamic institutions, the Islamic Ministry said.
This is the first time in 40 years that an Imam of the Holy Mosques is visiting the Maldives. The first time an Imam of the Holy Mosques visited the Maldives was for the opening ceremony of the Islamic Centre. At the time, the then-Imam of the Holy Mosque of Mecca, Mohammad Al Subayyil visited the Maldives.
Dr. Salah al-Budair, the Imam of the Holy Mosque of Medina, is known for his eloquent recitation of the Holy Qur'an. He leads Taraweeh prayers at Masjid al-Nabawi. He is also a deeply-respected scholar.
The visit is being organised under the direction of the President. Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed thanked King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia for facilitating the visit. He also expressed gratitude to Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Islamic Affairs and the Saudi Embassy in the Maldives for their cooperation in arranging the visit.