The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the Secretary General of OIC, His Excellency Hissein Brahim Taha, paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed, on Wednesday, 7th May 2025, at the Ministry of Islamic Affairs in Malé.
Welcoming the Secretary General to the Maldives, Minister Dr. Shaheem expressed his sincere appreciation for the OIC’s longstanding contributions and tireless efforts in promoting unity, development, and Islamic values among its member states. He particularly commended the OIC’s active involvement in global humanitarian causes, including its unwavering support for the Palestinian people and sustained advocacy for their rights on the international stage.
During the meeting, Dr. Shaheem introduced the senior leadership of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs and provided an overview of the Ministry’s mandate, highlighting key achievements and initiatives undertaken in recent years. The discussion also focused on avenues for future collaboration, with the Minister proposing enhanced technical assistance from the OIC to support the academic and institutional development of the Islamic University of Maldives (IUM).
Recognizing the wealth of knowledge and expertise available across OIC-affiliated universities, Dr. Shaheem requested partnerships to facilitate academic exchange and capacity-building programs that would benefit Maldivian scholars and students. He further highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing contemporary challenges such as the spread of Islamophobia and the need for global campaigns promoting moderation in Islam, areas where he welcomed joint initiatives between the Ministry and the OIC.
The Minister Dr. Shaheem also expressed his intention to work closely with the OIC in key areas such as Islamic education, scholarship opportunities, and efforts to address Islamophobia, aligning these initiatives with the shared values and strategic objectives under the umbrella of OIC’s mandate.
The visit of Secretary General Hissein Brahim Taha reflects the strengthening ties between the Maldives and the OIC and reaffirms the country’s commitment to deeper engagement within the global Islamic community. The visit concluded with reaffirmations of friendship and cooperation, laying a strong foundation for future partnerships that benefit not only the Maldives but also the broader Muslim community across the OIC member states.
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