We have set up committee to develop national database on shrines — Ahmed Ibrahim

The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, has announced the establishment of a multi-sectoral committee to develop a national database on shrines and other religious sites across the country.

According to the Minister, the committee has been tasked with addressing the complexities surrounding the definition of shrines to ensure accurate policy planning, research and data management.

Mr. Ibrahim made the announcement on Thursday, July 9, when he appeared before Parliament's Assurance Committee, explaining that the exercise would be supported by the Regional Coordinating Councils.

"A shrine is not just one thing... it is a very sensitive, delicate, and important question... That is why a multi-sectoral committee with expertise has been put in place," the Minister said.

He explained that the initiative followed concerns raised in Parliament about whether the Ministry keeps records of shrines in the same way it does for churches, mosques and other religious institutions.

The Minister said defining what constitutes a shrine is a complex exercise because shrines may exist in different forms and not necessarily as permanent physical structures.

"A shrine be anything, and these are spiritual issues... We need to have a very firm foundation as to what a shrine is," said the minister.

Mr. Ibrahim noted that government must first reach a clear and widely accepted definition before embarking on any nationwide data collection exercise.

He added that the committee's work would help establish a credible framework for documenting shrines and other religious sites and also support informed policy decisions in the religious affairs sector.