Sheikh Fareed’s funeral to be held in Malaysia

The family of prominent religious scholar Sheikh Ibrahim Fareed, who passed away on Monday, has decided to hold his funeral in Malaysia.

Fareed suddenly passed away on Monday while at an airport in Malaysia.

A close acquaintance of Fareed said his family has decided to hold his funeral and bury his body in Malaysia as a postmortem would need to be conducted on the body before it is permitted to be transported overseas. 

Islamic Minister Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed noted that many people were requesting to hold a funeral in absentia for Fareed in Male'. 

"If he is buried before this Friday, by the will of Almighty, Islamic Ministry has decided to hold a funeral prayer in absentia for Sheikh Fareed this Friday at all mosques nationwide where congregational Friday prayer is held," he added. 

The Minister said further information regarding the matter will be disclosed later.

Fareed has contributed significantly towards the awareness of the Islamic faith among Maldivian citizens. He also has continued to spread religious messages through social media platforms.

His most recent video was posted on the day of Arafat.

Fareed is also a notable figure in the democratic reform movement in the Maldives that saw the introduction of a multi-party system in the country. He was arrested during a movement-led event on August 12th and was among those who suffered from the subsequent prison violence.

He has also participated in Minivan Bahus.