Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed has announced sweeping reforms, including the termination of a stalled mosque project and a legislative overhaul of the Maldives Hajj Corporation, as the administration of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu seeks to accelerate projects and restore oversight.
Addressing Parliament, Minister Shaheem said the government had inherited significant delays and administrative failures from the former Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)-led government, particularly in infrastructure contracts and Hajj governance.
One of the most immediate steps will be the cancellation of a mosque project in Kendhoo, Baa Atoll. The contract, awarded to Fastline Pvt. Ltd. for USD 1 million, was intended to deliver a 500-person mosque within a year. Instead, the project stalled amid what the minister described as serious mismanagement.
The absence of an on-site engineer led to construction that deviated from architectural drawings, halting further work. Despite repeated site visits, directives, and progress meetings, the problems were not resolved. The minister noted that the previous government had initiated the project shortly before the presidential election and had paid USD 149,162.56 to the company on 8 November 2023.
President Muizzu has since ordered the matter prioritised, and legal proceedings to terminate the contract are now under way.
“Ministry teams have visited Kendhoo on multiple occasions to coordinate the work at the site. The contractor was repeatedly instructed to rectify the issues identified during these visits. Progress meetings were conducted and consultations were held to expedite the completion of the work,” Minister Shaheem said.
“However, as a resolution could not be achieved, the decision was made to terminate the existing contract and entrust the project to a new contractor. Legal proceedings to formally terminate this project have now been initiated,” he continued.
Attention is also turning to Hajj policy. The ministry is consulting scholars on a proposal to allow financially capable individuals who are permanently incapacitated by illness to appoint a representative to perform their obligation through Ḥajj al-Badal.
Minister Shaheem stressed that Saudi Arabia prohibits sending individuals with major permanent illnesses to Hajj, a measure intended to protect lives. “Individuals suffering from kidney failure requiring dialysis, or those who rely on continuous oxygen supply, are physically incapacitated from performing the Hajj rituals. The instruction [against sending such individuals] is issued for the purpose of protecting life,” he said.
He criticised the previous government’s decision to allocate 5 percent of the Hajj quota to individuals with serious illnesses, calling it a violation of Saudi regulations. The proposal for Ḥajj al-Badal, he added, is supported by scholars who permit a proxy to perform the rites on behalf of those who are financially able but physically unable. The ministry is working to establish a fair policy to ensure that sick and disabled individuals receive appropriate services.
The minister also announced that 15 major Islamic projects are scheduled for completion before Ramadan, including mosques with capacities of 500 to 700 people and new Islamic centres nationwide.
He attributed delays in many projects to the appointment of unqualified contractors by the previous administration. “This situation has not arisen due to any negligence by the current government. Rather, these projects are being delayed because previous assignments were entrusted to incapable parties,” he said. “Conversely, the projects that were assigned since our government took office are proceeding toward completion.”
To address financial backlogs, the government has disbursed USD 11.03 million to private companies over the past two years, including USD 3.24 million owed by the ministry itself, Minister Shaheem said.
Legislative reform is also under way. The ministry is drafting new laws to restructure the Maldives Hajj Corporation, ensuring that the ministry retains a defined role.
Minister Shaheem criticised changes by the previous government that removed the ministry’s representative from the Corporation’s board. “This represents a very detrimental change introduced to the Hajj system. The foundational regulations must be revised. I condemn the decision by the previous government to remove the Ministry of Islamic Affairs from the board,” he said.
“Our objective is to ensure that Hajj affairs are properly organised and function well, irrespective of which government is in power. Work is currently underway to draft a copy of the new legislation to achieve this structure,” he added.
The ministry is also focused on strengthening the Hajj Corporation’s financial base. Citing Malaysia’s Hajj Fund as a model, the minister said long-term investments in real estate and hotels are essential. “Consider, for example, that the Malaysia Hajj Fund has invested in real estate and hotels. The Maldives Hajj Corporation must also have its own investments. To facilitate the development of the Hajj Corporation, we must work to find ways for that fund to engage in long-term investments,” he said.
The corporation has already announced plans to build a city hotel in Maafushi, Kaafu Atoll, as part of its revenue diversification strategy. Recognising the need for foreign currency transactions, the ministry is also exploring investment opportunities in sectors such as halal tourism.