Maldives to hold conference on Masjid Al-Aqsa

A conference on the Masjid Al-Aqsa is to be held in the Maldives in conjunction with the government of Maldives and the government of Palestine.

With references in the holy Quran, Masjid Al-Aqsa is revered as one of the holiest mosques in Islam.

The announcement to hold the Masjid Al-Aqsa conference was made at a joint press briefing held by the Palestinian Islamic Minister Dr. Mahmoud Al Habbash, who is currently visiting the Maldives, and the Maldives Minister of Islamic Affairs Sheikh Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed.

Islamic Minister Sheikh Shaheem said that a number of renowned religious scholars will take part in the conference, and that an invitation has been sent to the Mufti and Imam of the Masjid participate in the conference.

Minister Shaheem also said that a joint committee consisting of officials from the Maldives Ministry of Islamic Affairs and the Palestinian Embassy is to be assembled to carry out such tasks as to establish a date for the conference and to determining who will participate.

The purpose of the conference will be to celebrate and honour the greatness of the Masjid Al-Aqsa, and the promote and foster affection in the hearts of Muslims towards the holy mosque, said Sheikh Shaheem. “To increase the love in the hearts of Maldive citizens, and other Muslims around the world towards Masjid Al-Aqsa,” said Shaheem.

In addition to holding the conference on Masjid Al-Aqsa, the Maldives Islamic Ministry and the Palestinian Islamic Ministry has agreed to facilitate opportunities for Maldivian students to study in Palestinian universities in Quds, to address the troubles faced by Maldivians in visiting Masjid Al-Aqsa, and to facilitate for a 10 man contingent from the Maldives to visit the Masjid.

Islamic Minister said that the 10 man contingent will be composed of religious scholars, students, journalists and members of the public.

The Palestinian Islamic Minister is visiting the Maldives under his own initiative.