Mohamed Shaheem
Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Minister of Islamic Affairs | |
| Assumed office 17 November 2023 | |
| President | Mohamed Muizzu |
| Preceded by | Ahmed Zahir Ali |
| In office 19 February 2012 – 06 May 2015 | |
| President | Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik Abdulla Yameen |
| Preceded by | Abdul Majeed Abdul Bari |
| Succeeded by | Ahmed Ziyad Baqir |
| Chancellor of the Islamic University of Maldives | |
| In office 2016–2018 | |
| Preceded by | Mohamed Zahir Hussain |
| Succeeded by | Mohamed Zahir Hussain |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 28 March 1977[1] Maamendhoo, Gaafu Alifu Atoll |
| Nationality | Maldivian |
| Political party | Adhaalath Party (2005–2015; 2025–present) |
| Other political affiliations | Progressive Party of Maldives (2018–2025) |
| Alma mater | Islamic University of Madinah International Islamic University Malaysia |
| Website | drshaheem |
Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed (Dhivehi: މުޙައްމަދު ޝަހީމް ޢަލީ ސަޢީދު; born 28 March 1977), is a Maldivian politician who is currently serving as the Minister of Islamic Affairs since 17 November 2023.[2]
Early life and education
Shaheem memorized the Holy Quran at Jamia Ashrafia in Lahore, Pakistan, and obtained a diploma in Arabic and Islamic education from Imam Abu Hanifa Higher Institute for Teachers. He then studied Arabic further in Egypt. Shaheem attained his bachelor's degree in Islamic jurisprudence and its principles from the Islamic University of Madinah. He then obtained his master's degree in Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences (Fiqh and Usul al-Fiqh) from the International Islamic University Malaysia and his Doctor of Philosophy in Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences (Fiqh and Usul al-Fiqh) from the same university.[3]
Career
Shaheem was one of the senior founding members of the Adhaalath Party (AP).[4]
He has held positions as Assistant Supervisor of the National Centre for the Holy Quran, Founding Dean of the Faculty of Sharia at Villa College, Minister of State for Islamic Affairs, Minister of Islamic Affairs, Governor and Deputy Governor appointed to Maldives by the Islamic Development Bank (IDB), Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor of the Islamic University of Maldives, member of the Higher Education Council of Maldives, advisor to the Secretary General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and in charge of the OIC Voice of Wisdom Centre. He has also served as a member of various international educational and Islamic institutions, the Islamic Fiqh Academy of Maldives and the Sharia Board of the Maldives Monetary Authority.
He was the Minister of Islamic Affairs from 19 February 2012 until his resignation on 05 May 2015 under President Mohamed Waheed Hassan and Abdulla Yameen.
Shaheem later left AP in 2015 during the party's exit from the ruling coalition at the time and was the reason why he resigned as Islamic Minister.[4]
He was also the unsuccessful running mate of President Abdulla Yameen in the 2018 Maldivian presidential election.[5]
He was then appointed Chancellor of Islamic University of Maldives.[6] In 2020, he became a political advisor to the opposition Progressive Party of Maldives.[7][5]
He was later appointed by President Mohamed Muizzu as the Minister of Islamic Affairs, but when the Parliament decided to vote to approve of Shaheem, majority of the MPs voted no and President Muizzu reappointed him.[2][8][9]
In 2025, Shaheem later rejoined the AP.[4]
Awards
Shaheem was presented the Tokoh Alumni Award by the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM). The award is the highest award given by the university in recognition of outstanding national and international service and leadership efforts among its alumni. He also received the Alumni Leadership Award from the Islamic University of Madinah.
References
- ^ "All Ministers" (PDF). People's Majlis. Retrieved 16 February 2012.
- ^ a b "Dr. Muizzu's promising cabinet". Sun. 17 November 2023. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
- ^ "President Dr. Muizzu Has Appointed the New Cabinet". Frontpage. 18 November 2023. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
- ^ a b c "Islamic Minister Shaheem to rejoin opposition-aligned Adhaalath Party". Adhadhu. 1 May 2025. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
- ^ a b Azmeela, Aishath (22 October 2019). "Dr. Shaheem announces decision to return to politics". Avas. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
- ^ "Dr. Shaheem to retain position as Chancellor of IUM". PSM News. 9 July 2018. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
- ^ "Dr. Shaheem returns to politics, as advisor to opposition coalition". Sun. 24 September 2020. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
- ^ Shahid, Malika (29 January 2024). "Reappointment of cabinet members denied parliament approval underway". The Edition. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
- ^ "Parliament OKs Saeed, but rejects Haidar, Shaheem and Usham". Sun. 29 January 2024. Retrieved 10 April 2024.