Prominent Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ismail, dies aged 85

Sheikh Ismail Mohamed. (Photo/Facebook/Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed)

Sheikh Ismail Mohamed, widely considered one of the most influential religious scholars in the Maldives, has passed away at the age of 85.

In the 1970s, Dh. Meedhoo-born Ismail became the first Maldivian student to graduate from the Islamic University of Madinah.

Over the course of his career, he authored 40 religious texts, served as a judge, and played a key role in promoting Islamic education in the Maldives.

In 2025, the Islamic University of Maldives (IUM) conferred him the Maldives’ first ever honorary doctorate, in recognition of his lifelong contributions to Islamic education.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu (R) presents Sheikh Ismail Mohamed (L) with an honorary doctorate from the Islamic University of Maldives on April 19, 2025. (Photo/President’s Office)

Ismail’s passing has prompted messages of condolences from prominent figures, including President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, who said he heard the news with a deep sense of sadness and loss.

In a post on X, President Muizzu highlighted on Ismail’s contributions to promoting Islamic education in the country, including facilitating overseas educational opportunities for numerous Maldivian students.

إِنَّا لِلَّٰهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ

އިސްލާމްދީނަށް ހޭލުންތެރިކަން އިތުރުކުރުވުމާއި، ދީނަށް ޚިދުމަތްކުރުމާއި، ދީނީ ޢިލްމު އުނގަންނައިދިނުމުގެ ދާއިރާއިން ޝަރަފުވެރިކަމުގެ ޤައުމީ އިނާމު ލިބިވަޑައިގެންފައިވާ މައްޗަންގޮޅީ ފީރޯޒްވާދީ ފަޟީލަތުއްޝައިޚް އިސްމާޢީލް މުޙައްމަދު… pic.twitter.com/vWCdvx75l8
— Dr Mohamed Muizzu (@MMuizzu) June 20, 2026

He noted that in addition to his own contributions, Ismail also taught numerous individuals who continue to provide valuable services to the nation.

Meanwhile, Islamic Minister Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed, who described him as “a distinguished religious scholar who rendered valuable services to Islamic education and upbringing in the Maldives.”

مؤمنين بقضاء الله وقدره، وبقلوبٍ يعتصرها الحزن والأسى، ننعى شيخنا الجليل إسماعيل محمد (م. طيبة)، أحد أبرز علماء المالديف، ومن الرواد الذين أسهموا إسهامًا عظيمًا في خدمة التعليم والتربية الإسلامية ونشر العلم الشرعي في البلاد، والذي انتقل إلى رحمة الله تعالى.

ويُعدّ الشيخ إسماعيل… pic.twitter.com/910t7KMtdE
— Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed (@Mohamedshaheem1) June 20, 2026

His funeral prayer is scheduled for after Duhr, at the Islamic Center.