Sheikh Ismail Mohamed (Thoiba Sheikh), has passed away at the age of 85 after a lifetime dedicated to Islamic education and religious service in Maldives.
Sheikh Ismail passed away on Saturday night while undergoing treatment at ADK Hospital following a prolonged illness.
Born in Dhaalu Meedhoo, Sheikh Ismail spent more than five decades promoting Islamic awareness and teaching religious knowledge. In recognition of his contributions, he was awarded the National Award of Honour for his service to Islam and his efforts in religious education.
In April last year, the Islamic University of Maldives (IUM) conferred upon him its first honorary doctorate, recognizing his longstanding contribution to Islamic scholarship and education.
Sheikh Ismail was also the founder of the well-known Thoiba School in Male' and was instrumental in creating educational opportunities for Maldivian students seeking higher Islamic studies abroad.
Over the years, he facilitated opportunities for more than 100 students to study at institutions in Pakistan, including Jamia Salafiya University.
Many prominent Islamic scholars, academics and public figures in the Maldives were among those who benefited from opportunities arranged by Sheikh Ismail, including the late Dr Abdul Majid Abdul Bari, Dr Ali Zahir, Dr Abdul Sattar Abdul Rahman, Dr Ahmed Zahir, Dr Ibrahim Zakariyya Moosa, Dr Ashraf Abdul Raheem, Dr Adam Shameem, Dr Mohamed Gubadh Aboobakuru, Dr Abdullah Jameel, Dr Mohamed Jameel Ahmed, Dr Hassan Saeed, Sheikh Mohamed Latheef, Sheikh Ahmed Farooq Mohamed, Sheikh Shuaib Abdul Rahman, Ahmed Faiz Hussain, Sheikh Fayyaz Alimanik, Sheikh Abdullah Mohamed Ibrahim, Sheikh Abdul Azeez Hussain, Sheikh Ahmed Sameer, Sheikh Hussain Rasheed Ahmed and Sheikh Mohamed Rasheed Ibrahim.
He was also the first Maldivian student to graduate from Islamic University of Madinah, completing his studies there in the 1970s.
Sheikh Ismail had been overseeing the construction of a mosque in Hulhumale' Phase at his own expense. The mosque, named after Ummul Mu'mineen Aisha, the wife of the Prophet Mohamed, was a long-held personal ambition. The foundation stone for the project was laid on 5 March last year.
President Mohamed Muizzu paid tribute to Sheikh Ismail in a condolence message, highlighting his role in spreading religious knowledge and creating educational opportunities for Maldivians.
The President said Sheikh Ismail had enabled many students to pursue higher education in Islamic studies abroad and had taught numerous individuals who went on to render distinguished service to the country.
He also noted Sheikh Ismail's work in translating and publishing religious books in Dhivehi, describing his contributions as an enduring legacy for future generations.
