In a historic moment for the Maldives, His Eminence Dr. Salah bin Muhammad al-Budair, the Imam of Masjid Al-Nabawi, received a red carpet welcome upon arrival, marking the first official visit by an Imam of the Prophet’s Mosque in over four decades.

On Tuesday morning, the Imam paid a courtesy call on President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu at the President’s Office. Welcoming him warmly, President Muizzu described hosting the Imam as a great honour and a reflection of the longstanding brotherly ties between the Maldives and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He noted that it has been 41 years since an Imam from one of Islam’s two holiest mosques last visited the Maldives.

During the meeting, the Imam expressed his gratitude for the hospitality and extended warm greetings and well-wishes from His Majesty King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. He reaffirmed the strong religious and cultural bonds between the two nations, rooted in shared Islamic values.

President Muizzu also acknowledged Saudi Arabia’s continued support for national development in the Maldives, particularly in Islamic education, and thanked the Kingdom for its care toward Maldivian pilgrims during Hajj and Umrah.

The meeting concluded with shared hopes that the visit would further strengthen spiritual ties and serve as inspiration for Maldivians across the country.