Ministry of Islamic Affairs
Ministry of Islamic Affairs is a halal certification body in Maldives that holds recognition from JAKIM, Malaysia's Department of Islamic Development and the most influential authority in the global halal industry.
Source: JAKIM's official recognition list, gazetted under the Trade Descriptions (Certification and Marking of Halal) Order 2011, as at 30 January 2026.
| Country | Maldives |
|---|---|
| Address | Islamic Centre P.O. Box 20156 Ameer Ahmed Magu, Malé Republic of Maldives |
| Contact person | Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed (Minister) |
| Telephone | +9603020200 |
| Fax | +9603315161 |
| info@islamicaffairs.gov.mv | |
| Recognition | JAKIM (gazetted, as at 30 January 2026) |
| Established | 2008 |
| Certifies | fisheries products, processed food products for export |
| Standards | Halal Certificate Regulation of the Maldives (Regulation No. 1632-R/2013) |
| Website | islamicaffairs.gov.mv |
Former MUIS recognition: Ministry of Islamic Affairs appeared on MUIS Singapore's Recognised Foreign Halal Certification Bodies list dated 22 April 2025, but is not on the current list. Recognition is time-limited; verify current status at source.
About Ministry of Islamic Affairs
The Ministry of Islamic Affairs is the government body responsible for religious affairs in the Republic of Maldives, and it also serves as the country’s state halal authority. The institution traces back to the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs constituted in 1996, and it took its current form as a ministry in November 2008. Unlike the private certifiers that make up much of the global halal certification landscape, it is a national ministry, so its halal certificates carry the standing of the Maldivian state.
Halal certification in the Maldives operates under Regulation 1632-R/2013, and in practice it is applied to fisheries products. The ministry issues halal certificates for food products exported from the Maldives, and the bulk of these certificates go to fisheries companies, reflecting the central role of tuna in the country’s export economy. Certified producers appoint a Halal Assurance Officer who oversees halal compliance inside the company and reports directly to the ministry.
Beyond its place on the Malaysian register, the ministry issues state halal certificates for Maldivian exporters, notably tuna processors, giving them a government issued credential usable across key Muslim consumer markets.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ministry of Islamic Affairs recognised by JAKIM?
Yes. Ministry of Islamic Affairs appears on JAKIM's official recognition list of international halal certification bodies, gazetted under Malaysia's Trade Descriptions (Certification and Marking of Halal) Order 2011, as at 30 January 2026.
What does JAKIM recognition mean for Ministry of Islamic Affairs?
JAKIM (Department of Islamic Development Malaysia) is widely regarded as the industry's most influential halal authority. Its recognition means halal certificates issued by Ministry of Islamic Affairs are accepted for products entering Malaysia, and it serves as a strong third-party credibility signal in the global halal trade.
Where is Ministry of Islamic Affairs based?
Ministry of Islamic Affairs is based in Maldives at Islamic Centre P.O. Box 20156 Ameer Ahmed Magu, Malé Republic of Maldives.
Was Ministry of Islamic Affairs recognised by MUIS Singapore?
Ministry of Islamic Affairs appeared on MUIS Singapore's Recognised Foreign Halal Certification Bodies list dated 22 April 2025 but is not on the current list. MUIS recognition is time-limited and reviewed, so a body can be removed when its appointment lapses. Confirm current status with MUIS before relying on it.
Why does Maldivian halal certification focus on fisheries products?
Halal certification in the Maldives operates under Regulation 1632-R/2013 and in practice is applied to fisheries products, which dominate the country's food exports. Although fish itself is halal, processed products such as canned tuna can contain additives and enhancers that require verification, so certification covers the finished product and its production process.
Is the Ministry of Islamic Affairs a private halal certifier?
No. It is a ministry of the Government of the Republic of Maldives, responsible for the country's religious affairs, and its halal certificates are issued with the authority of the state rather than by a private organization.
Related halal certification bodies
- Islamic Centre of the Argentine Republic (Centro Islamico de la Republica Argentina) · Argentina
- The Halal Catering Argentina (THCA) · Argentina
- Australian Halal Authority & Advisers (AHAA) Pty. Ltd. · Australia
- Perth Mosque Incorporated (PMI) · Australia