Maldives News Bulletin - Volume 257

President Dr Muizzu congratulates the new Prime Minister of Canada

His Excellency President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has conveyed congratulations on behalf of the Government and the people of the Maldives to Prime Minister His Excellency Mark Joseph Carney, the Prime Minister of Canada, following his assumption of office.

In his message to the new Prime Minister, President Dr Muizzu expressed confidence in Canada’s stability and prosperity under Prime Minister Carney’s leadership. He also conveyed his personal best wishes for the Prime Minister’s success, good health and well-being and for the continued peace and progress of the people of Canada.

 SOURCE : The President’s Office

Gov’t to Guard Against Fraud in State-Funded Hajj Pilgrimage

 The government has warned that anyone found to have falsified information to get on the poverty registry and secure a spot on the State-funded Hajj pilgrimage programme will be stripped of the opportunity.

On Tuesday, a draw to select 50 individuals for the State-funded Hajj pilgrimage was conducted at a ceremony held at the Ministry of Islamic Affairs.

According to the Ministry, this year’s selection process was carried out from a pool of 302 eligible candidates listed under the Maldives Zakat House’s poverty registry, which was reviewed in December 2024.

However, there has been some concern that some people selected for this year’s programme had falsified information to get on the poverty registry.

Responding to the concerns, the Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed, said the government would conduct further assessments of the selected candidates to ensure they did not falsify information for inclusion in the poverty registry.

Anyone found to have committed such fraud will be stripped of the opportunity, Minister Dr Shaheem warned.

While 50 individuals were chosen to embark on the sacred journey to Mecca in 1446 under government sponsorship, ten substitutes were also selected in case any of the selected individuals could not attend the pilgrimage for any reason.

The eligibility criteria for selection included being between the ages of 50 and 70, not having performed the obligatory Hajj before, and being in good health to undertake the journey.

This initiative aligns with a pledge made by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu during his presidential campaign.

On 18 August 2023, while addressing the people of Mulaku, Meemu Atoll, the President pledged to send 1,000 impoverished individuals on the Hajj pilgrimage under government sponsorship during his first term. The first batch of 50 pilgrims was sent on the Hajj pilgrimage last year.

The Maldives receives 1,000 Hajj quotas from Saudi Arabia every year, and the Maldives Hajj Corporation is the only group providing Hajj services. This year’s Hajj Day is June 5.

 SOURCE : PSM

President declares Government Holidays for Eid al-Fitr

 President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has declared Government holidays for Eid al-Fitr, as announced in Directive No. 6/2025 issued today.

According to the Directive, if the Ministry of Islamic Affairs announces that the 1st of Shawwal 1446 falls on Monday, March 31, 2025, as per the calendar, the Government holidays for Eid will include March 31 and April 1, 2, and 3, 2025.

If, as per the Ministry, the 1st of Shawwal falls on Sunday, March 30, 2025, the Government holidays will be observed from March 30 to April 3, 2025.

The President’s decision ensures that employees can enjoy uninterrupted holidays and spend more time with their families during Eid al-Fitr. After the Eid holidays, government offices will reopen on Sunday, April 6, 2025.

SOURCE : The President’s Office

Nationwide Policing Expansion to Bring New Facilities to 75 Islands 

The Maldives Police Service (MPS) has launched a project to strengthen national security by enhancing policing services across the country. The project involves building police buildings on 75 islands. Three companies were awarded the contracts: Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC), Road Development Corporation (RDC), and FENAKA Corporation. 

According to the MPS, this effort is a cornerstone of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s pledge to extend policing services to all inhabited islands by the end of the year. The development of these 75 police buildings aligns with the president’s commitment to ensuring peace and community security. 

MTCC will construct police buildings on 15 islands, while RDC has been tasked with developing facilities on 20 islands. FENAKA will oversee the construction of the remaining 40 islands. MPS has said these structures are designed to support law enforcement at both the atoll and island levels, particularly in areas previously lacking such infrastructure. Additionally, the project includes establishing police posts and accommodation facilities for officers. 

According to the MPS, the construction of these buildings this year reflects President Dr Muizzu’s directive to prioritise infrastructure projects. The MPS highlighted that these efforts aim to enhance and expand policing services nationwide. 

With the new facilities, the MPS anticipates a significant increase in policing services, covering half of the previously unavailable islands. At the start of President Dr Muizzu’s administration, police services were available nationwide through only 17 police stations, MPS noted. 

Deputy Commissioner of Police Farhad Fikury signed the agreements for the construction of the 75 police buildings on behalf of the MPS. DCP (Retd.) Ahmed Saudee, the managing director and chief executive officer of MTCC, signed up for MTCC. Brigadier General (Retd.) Ali Zuhair represented RDC, while Mohamed Najah, the Managing Director of FENAKA Corporation, signed on behalf of the utility provider. 

SOURCE : PSM 

Dhaalu Atoll’s Uhdhoo Set for Picnic Destination Makeover Under Presidential Directive 

The development of Uhdhoo, Dhaalu Atoll, as a picnic island for the residential communities has commenced. This initiative is the result of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s decision to designate Uhdhoo for residents’ recreational use. 

The decision was made in February during President Dr Muizzu’s visit to Meedhoo, Dhaalu Atoll, as part of a tour of several islands. Adam Shareef Umar, the Minister of Cities, Local Government, and Public Works, announced the commencement of the makeover of Uhdhoo as a picnic destination. 

Minister Umar stated that planning work has begun to transform Uhdhoo into a picnic island. On Thursday, he revealed a team travelled to the island to assess its condition. He added that the government aims to open the island as a picnic destination for Dhaalu Atoll residents as soon as possible. 

Previously, Uhdhoo was used for commercial purposes by a private party. Upon the expiration of the lease agreement, the government regained control of the island, which is now under the jurisdiction of the local government ministry. 

President Dr Muizzu has prioritised empowering local councils to increase income-generating opportunities for the outer islands. Over the past year, he has undertaken numerous initiatives. Granting jurisdiction of uninhabited islands to local councils enables them to carry out commercial activities and generate revenue for their respective communities. 

SOURCE : PSM

Hajj Corp. to Send 350 on Umrah Pilgrimage During Ramadan’s Last Fortnight 

On Thursday evening, the Hajj Corporation convened an information session in Malé for the 350 prospective Umrah pilgrims. Before this, the agency had organised training programmes to prepare the pilgrims for their journey. A total of 557 individuals are undertaking the Umrah pilgrimage under the agency’s auspices this Ramadan, with over 350 scheduled to travel to Makkah for the final fortnight of the holy month, it said. 

Hassan Sinaan, head of sales and marketing at the agency, stated that extensive guidance was provided to the pilgrims during the information session. According to him, this included details from the departure point in Malé to Makkah and the entire procedural aspects of the pilgrimage until their return. The information provided included the procedures for performing the Umrah pilgrimage, religious guidelines, administrative considerations, and the prohibitions applicable to pilgrims. 

Three online information sessions were held earlier to offer the intended Umrah pilgrims opportunities to clarify doubts and pose queries. According to the agency, the pilgrims are scheduled to depart for Makkah at approximately 4:50 a.m. on 15 March aboard a Saudia flight. 

SOURCE : PSM 

Maldivian Announces Seaplane Service to Fulhadhoo for Eid 

Maldives’ national airline, Maldivian, has announced plans to operate seaplane flights to Fulhadhoo, Baa Atoll, for the upcoming Eid-al Fitr holidays. 

The airline said the flights are scheduled to begin on 31 March. 

Maldivian said the additional flights would enhance its operations to Baa Atoll, benefiting passengers looking to travel to the neighbouring islands of Fehendhoo and Goidhoo. 

Maldivian said passengers undertaking the 25-minute flight from the capital, Male’ to Fulhadhoo will also get the chance to experience the stunning aerial view of arguably the most iconic Atolls in the Maldives. 

Maldivian customarily increases domestic flight frequencies to areas experiencing heightened demand during holidays. 

According to Maldivian, flight tickets are now available for booking, with more information and ticket purchases on the airline’s website or through its 24-hour call centre. 

Maldivian operates 11 seaplanes, primarily catering to the tourism industry. 

SOURCE : PSM 

SAN to upgrade Fuvahmulah cricket ground, host international league 

The Cricket Board of Maldives (CBM) and the South Asian Network (SAN) have exchanged an agreement to collaborate on the development of the Fuvahmulah cricket ground and to host an International Cricket League in the Maldives. 

The MOU was signed by Mohamed Faisal, the President of CBM, and Rohith Hashim, the founder of SAN, during the “Cricket Evening” ceremony held at Ghiyasuddin International School Hall last week. 

Speaking to PSM News, Rohith mentioned that this agreement is a turning point for Maldives Cricket. 

“It’s the turning point of Maldivian Cricket. Maldives Cricket is going live to international cricket, and we are bringing lots of international cricketers to the Maldives,” he explained. 

In addition, he said that the very first international cricket stadium in the Maldives is coming up in Fuvahmulah City. In another six to seven months, the Maldives will witness its first-ever international cricket league. 

Rohith thanked the Maldives Government, particularly the Sports Ministry and Maldives Cricket Board, for supporting their initiative. 

Speaking about the future of Maldives cricket, he noted that, to his surprise, Maldives has great youth and female cricketers, adding that when an international approach comes, they can rise to international cricket. 

“This is the turning point of Maldives cricket, and I hope Maldives will go to great heights in the future,” he added. 

SAN will be working to upgrade Fuvahmulah cricket ground to international standards, installing a modern light system and making additional changes that will enable it to host matches during the evening. 

The Cricket Board of Maldives hopes to establish an international cricket league in 2026, in which six countries will participate. 

SOURCE : PSM