Maldives uses Friday sermons nationwide to combat corruption
Friday sermon delivered across country urges Muslims to reject bribery, warning corruption erodes justice, economy and public trust nationwide
MALE, Maldives (MNTV) — Mosques across the Maldives delivered a synchronized Friday sermon condemning corruption and bribery, as authorities used the country’s weekly congregational prayers to reinforce anti-corruption messages amid persistent governance challenges in the Indian Ocean nation.
The sermon, titled “The Dangers of Corruption and Bribery,” was read simultaneously in mosques across the country after being issued by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs and Endowments.
Written by Sheikh Ateef Abu Bakr, the message described corruption as one of the gravest sins in Islam and urged worshippers not to accept bribery or misuse positions of authority for personal gain.
The campaign comes as corruption continues to rank among the Maldives’ major governance concerns. According to Transparency International, the country scored 39 out of 100 in its 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index, placing 91st among 182 countries, highlighting persistent concerns over public sector integrity.
The sermon defined corruption as abusing entrusted authority to obtain unlawful personal benefits and warned that public office is a trust for which individuals will ultimately be held accountable.
It also described bribery as any payment intended to secure an undeserved advantage or distort justice, citing Quranic verses and sayings of the Prophet Muhammad condemning both those who give and receive bribes.
Religious leaders also cautioned against accepting corruption as a normal part of public life simply because it has become widespread. The sermon warned that such thinking weakens moral values, fuels injustice and undermines accountability within society.
Beyond its religious message, the sermon linked corruption to broader social and economic consequences, saying it deepens poverty, weakens public institutions and damages the foundations of the national economy.
It urged Maldivians to embrace integrity and contentment rather than greed, which it identified as the root cause of corrupt practices.
The issue remains politically significant in the Maldives following the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) scandal, one of the country’s largest corruption cases.
The scheme involved the embezzlement of more than $90 million and the leasing of dozens of islands to private companies without public tender, resulting in substantial financial losses and compensation costs for the government.
Authorities have also stepped up institutional efforts to address the problem. Earlier this year, the Anti-Corruption Commission launched its fifth strategic plan, focusing on public awareness, monitoring high-risk state-owned enterprises, improving oversight of public procurement and strengthening safeguards against political corruption.
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