Islamic Minister Shaheem rejoins Adhaalath Party, eyes party leadership

Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed has rejoined Adhaalath Party after years of not being affiliated with a political party, announcing his intention to contest the party’s upcoming presidential election later this year.

Minister Shaheem, who had previously served as a senior member and founding figure of Adhaalath Party, said his return via a Facebook post on Wednesday, stating, “I have submitted my membership form to Adhaalath Party by the grace of Allah.”

He served in the party for 12 years and was appointed Minister of Islamic Affairs during the presidency of Dr Mohamed Waheed under the Adhaalath Party’s slot.

Following the dissolution of the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), which he later joined, Dr Shaheem remained unaffiliated with any political party until now.

His decision has been welcomed by several prominent figures within the Adhaalath Party, including the party’s Scholarly Committee President Sheikh Ilyas Hussain, Vice-President Abdulla Rasheed, and members Sheikh Mohamed Anil and Dr Iyaz Abdul Latheef.

However, party president Sheikh Imran Abdulla, who now resides in Thailand and remains distanced from active political affairs, has expressed reservations.

While welcoming Shaheem's return to the party, Imran called on him to resign from his ministerial post and pursue party leadership.

In response, Minister Shaheem said no such condition exists in the party’s constitution.

“If the members elect me as President of the Adhaalath Party, I will move ahead with the party according to the decision by the Congress, God willing,” he said.

Adhaalath Party has remained largely inactive since the 2023 defeat of its former coalition partner, Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP). Alhough the party does not currently align with any political bloc, Imran has occasionally criticized the incumbent government.

Minister Shaheem has laid out a detailed vision for revitalizing the party if elected as its leader.

His first goal is to restore party unity by bringing together founding members and scholars who contributed to its formation.

He also plans to establish the Adhaalath Party Development Fund, aimed at securing the party’s financial independence through halal means.

The fund will support member development, provide financial aid in emergencies, and finance election campaigns, he said.

“The fund will be created with contributions from members and Islamic-compliant financing. A Board of Trustees made up of party members will oversee it, and a CEO with expertise in Islamic economics will manage its operations,” he said.

Minister Shaheem further pledged to expand the role of the party’s scholarly committee, strengthen its ideological foundation, and promote Islamic principles across Maldives.