Sheikh Fareed’s funeral prayer set for Friday across country

The funeral prayer in absentia for Sheikh Ibrahim Fareed Ahmed will be held across all mosques in the Maldives this Friday.

Sheikh Fareed passed away in Malaysia after collapsing at the airport shortly after arriving for a conference. Despite efforts by his family to bring his body back to Maldives, they ultimately decided to conduct the funeral in Malaysia to avoid a post-mortem examination.

Islamic Minister Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed stated that, in response to public requests, the ministry would organize the funeral prayer in absentia following Friday prayers provided Sheikh Fareed is buried in Malaysia before then.

Sheikh Fareed was a well-known religious figure and reformist leader. He was highly respected for his sermons, which drew large audiences, and for his contributions to the Islamic reform movement in Maldives.

He was also vocal in advocating for freedom of discussion and expression within an Islamic framework. In the early days of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), he played an influential role, particularly through its Islamic Consultative Assembly.