Imam of Prophet’s Mosque to Visit Maldives After Four Decades

In a moment of great spiritual and historical significance, the Maldives is set to welcome Sheikh Dr. Salah Al-Budair, the respected Imam and Khatib of the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina. The visit follows official approval from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

This marks the first time in 40 years that an Imam from either of Islam’s Two Holy Mosques—the Grand Mosque in Mecca or the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina—will visit the Maldives. The last such visit was in 1984, when Sheikh Muhammad Al-Subayyil attended the opening of the Islamic Center in Malé.

Dr. Al-Budair, well known for his powerful Quranic recitation and deep knowledge of Islamic law, will take part in a series of key events. These include delivering the Friday sermon at the Islamic Center, hosting a public lecture, engaging with Maldivian scholars, visiting the Salman Mosque and local Islamic institutions, and meeting President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.

Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed, who announced the visit, expressed gratitude to King Salman, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and the Saudi officials who helped make the visit possible. He called the visit a great honor and a symbol of the close bond between the Maldives and Saudi Arabia.

Currently serving as Imam of the Prophet’s Mosque, Dr. Al-Budair is especially known for leading Taraweeh prayers during Ramadan. His upcoming visit is expected to uplift and inspire the local Muslim community, while highlighting the Maldives’ deep-rooted connection to the Islamic world.