In a significant step towards advancing Islamic education and human resource development, the Maldives Zakat Fund has announced 50 scholarship opportunities under its Higher Education Assistance Policy. The initiative was officially launched today at a special ceremony held at the Islamic Center.
The scholarships are aimed at developing expertise in various Islamic fields, both within the Maldives and internationally. Of the total 50 scholarships, 20 are allocated for local postgraduate programs while 30 are dedicated to studies abroad, including 13 special scholarships targeting prestigious institutions in the Islamic world.
Locally, the scholarships will support students pursuing Master’s degrees at the Maldives National University (MNU) and the Islamic University of Maldives (IUM). The available fields and allocations are as follows:
Master of Arts in Quranic Sciences – 6 opportunities
Master of Islamic Revealed Knowledge, Leadership and Administration – 3 opportunities
Executive Masters in Islamic Finance (eMIF by INCEIF) – 5 opportunities
Master of Arts in Shariah – 3 opportunities
Master of Arts in Islamic Studies – 3 opportunities
The 30 overseas scholarships are offered in partnership with universities in Malaysia, Brunei, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and SAARC countries. A total of 17 opportunities have been allocated to institutions in Malaysia and Brunei, including the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM), the International Center for Education in Islamic Finance (INCEIF), and Universiti Brunei Darussalam. These include 2 undergraduate, 6 Master’s, and 9 PhD placements.
In addition, 13 special scholarships have been made available through prominent Islamic universities, including Al-Azhar University (Egypt), Islamic universities in Saudi Arabia such as Medina University, Qassim University, Umm Al-Qura University, Abha University, and King Abdulaziz University, as well as institutions in SAARC member states.
To further support students, the Zakat Fund has arranged ten stipend opportunities to cover additional expenses for those studying disciplines such as Sharia, Al-Qada, Tafseer, Hadith, Quranic Sciences, Arabic, and Usul al-Din. Furthermore, scholarships have also been extended to super specialization fields, including Urology/Urological Surgery, Pediatric Neurology, and Neurology.
This scholarship initiative reflects the growing strength and impact of the Maldives Zakat system under the leadership of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu. The substantial increase in Zakat contributions marks a milestone in the nation’s Islamic development efforts, attributed to the President’s vision and early move to establish the Maldives Zakat House.
The launch of these opportunities underscores the government’s ongoing commitment to promoting Islamic knowledge and professional expertise in vital sectors for national development.
