Malé, Maldives – Sheikh Ismail Mohamed has been awarded the first honorary doctorate ever conferred by a higher education institution in the Maldives, recognising more than five decades of service to Islamic scholarship and education.

The Islamic University of Maldives (IUM) presented the honorary degree during its graduation ceremony held on Saturday. President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu formally conferred the degree in a ceremony that marked a historic milestone for the Maldivian higher education sector.

Sheikh Ismail Mohamed is widely regarded as one of the most respected figures in Islamic scholarship in the country. He was the first Maldivian to pursue studies at the Islamic University of Madinah and has made significant contributions throughout his career as a scholar, author, and educator.

In addition to authoring 40 books on various aspects of Islam, Sheikh Ismail has served as a judge and played a key role in advancing religious education in the Maldives.

The honorary doctorate reflects IUM’s recognition of his lifelong commitment to Islamic knowledge and his impact on generations of students and scholars across the country.