Minister Dr. Shaheem Travels to Saudi Arabia for Islamic University of Madinah Conference on Intellectual Challenges

Minister of Islamic Affairs and Endowments Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed has travelled to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to participate in the Conference on the Efforts of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Confronting Intellectual Deviations, organised by the Islamic University of Madinah from 27 to 28 September 2026.
The conference will bring together scholars, academics, religious leaders and representatives from different countries to exchange knowledge and perspectives on contemporary intellectual challenges affecting Muslim societies. The gathering is expected to provide an important platform for discussing approaches to promoting sound Islamic understanding, strengthening religious education and supporting scholarly efforts that contribute to greater awareness, moderation and social cohesion.
Ahead of the conference, Minister Shaheem said he looked forward to exchanging knowledge and perspectives with participants on promoting a balanced and authentic understanding of Islam, strengthening religious education and addressing contemporary intellectual challenges through informed scholarly engagement.
He also expressed his sincere appreciation to the Islamic University of Madinah for extending the invitation and for its continued commitment to promoting scholarly dialogue and cooperation among religious scholars and institutions.
The Minister’s participation reflects the Maldives’ continued engagement with leading Islamic institutions internationally and the Government’s emphasis on strengthening religious knowledge, developing constructive partnerships and expanding opportunities for cooperation in areas related to Islamic education and scholarly exchange.
The Islamic University of Madinah is one of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s prominent institutions of higher Islamic education and regularly hosts academic conferences, scholarly forums and international programmes involving researchers, academics and religious figures from across the Muslim world.
Minister Shaheem’s participation is also expected to strengthen existing academic and religious ties between the Maldives and Saudi Arabia, while providing opportunities to exchange experiences on religious education, intellectual development and initiatives aimed at addressing emerging challenges facing Muslim communities.
The conference will focus on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s efforts in confronting intellectual deviations and on scholarly and educational approaches that can help protect Islamic values, promote intellectual awareness and strengthen the principles of wisdom and moderation.
Minister Shaheem prayed for the success of the gathering and expressed hope that its deliberations would contribute to outcomes that promote wisdom, moderation and unity within the Muslim Ummah