Author: Minivan News

Gayoom accepted “concerning” election results “for the sake of people’s security”

Former President and ‘Honorary Leader’ of the main opposition Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP), Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, has said that the current government is attempting to erase Islamic education from the Maldives, reports local newspaper Haveeru.

At a rally last night held on Villingili, Haveeru reported Gayoom as saying that citizens “are again in need of a change.”

”I have to say that people are now in need of change. The way things are going now is not the way people want it to be,” said the former President. “Our economy has gone down, respect for the constitution and laws have totally disappeared, violence and assault have become widespread and extreme, thousands of people are unemployed, and the amount of money they earn has decreased,” Haveeru quoted the former president saying.

”The religion of Islam is treated very poorly – you will know the disturbance and troubles caused to the Islamic education centres.”

Gayoom also raised concerns of vote rigging during the Presidential Elections in 2008, and urged people “to have sharp eyes on the Local Council Elections.”

He claimed to have accepted the result of the election “for the sake of people’s security”, Haveeru reported Gayoom as saying.

The former President came out of retirement to campaign for the DRP ahead of the local council elections on February 5.

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President’s Fainu visit the first in 28 years

President Mohamed Nasheed’s visit to Fainu in Raa Atoll was the first time a President has visited the island in 28 years, the President’s Office has claimed.

Speaking to the islanders as part of his campaign prior to the local council elections, Nasheed said it was important for leaders to experience first-hand the difficulties faced by islanders in their daily lives.

Larger islands such as Fainu had a role to play in the development of mid-market tourism in the country, Nasheed said, linking this to the development of the transport network.

The island’s harbour project had been contracted to a third party and was to be finished by the end of the year, he said.

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Man arrested for caging six year-old boy

Police have arrested a man for putting a six year-old boy in a cage, reports Manadhoo Live.

Manadhoo reported that the offender accused the boy of stealing a chicken from the cage, and locked him inside the cage as a punishment for the alleged offense. The man was not a relative of the boy, it added.

According to the paper, the man put called the police to report the theft of the chickens after he had caged the boy.

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National library donates books to rehab centres

The National Library will donate books to prisons and rehabilitation centres in the Maldives, reports Haveeru.

The Library’s Director General Ibrahim Shiyam told the local newspaper that the library would begin a new series of projects to encourage reading in the Maldives, train more librarians, and fund donations of books and resources to other libraries our of its own budget.

Books and bookshelves will be  donated to  prisons and rehabilitation centres as part of the National Day celebrations, Shiyam said.

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Foster parents found for abandoned baby

The government has selected a foster family for the baby girl who was found abandoned on Hulhumale’ beach on November 25, with the umbilical cord still attached.

Haveeru reported Deputy Health Minister Mariya Ali as saying the family was selecting “after considering the condition of the baby.”

“The panel decided that the couple was the most suitable as they are well educated and are in good health,” Haveeru reported her as saying.

The ministry is also drafting regulations to govern fostering, Haveeru added.

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MDP to submit minimum wage bill

A bill governing the minimum wage of people employed in the Maldives has been sent to parliament by MDP Parliamentary Group Leader ‘Reeko’ Moosa Manik, reports Haveeru.

“Some salaries are increasing day by day,’ Moosa told Haveeru, in reference to the recently-passed MP Privileges Bill, which grants MPs an Rf20,000 ‘committee allowance’ on told of their existing Rf 62,500 salary package.

“It is important for everyone working in the Maldives to be certain of the minimum wage that can be given to them, that is a right of every citizen. That’s why this bill is being drafted,” Moosa said.

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Accused Qary Thaufeeq’s motorbike burned in arson attack

Famous local Quran reciter Qary Hussein Thaufeeq’s motorbike has been burned in an arson attack, reports Manadhoo Live.

The site reported that the motorbike was severely damaged in the attack, but said that police have not yet arrested anyone in connection with the case.

Thaufeeq was recently arrested on charges of child molestation against a number of females.

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Volunteer teachers inducted into island living

Volunteer teachers recruited under the International Volunteer Programme (IVP) for 2011 have arrived in the Maldives and been inducted into the island lifestyle they will live for the next year.

The 13 volunteer teachers were recruited by the High Commission of the Maldives in the UK, the Maldives Volunteer Corps and UK-based NGO Friends of Maldives.

During the induction programme the teachers were briefed on the Maldives and the country’s health and culture, as well as given an introduction to Islam. A two-day island visit to Dhiffushi in Kaafu Atoll was arranged to familiarise the volunteers with life in the Maldives.

The volunteers were also given an orientation session at the Ministry of Education, where they met Minister Shifa Mohamed and learned about the education system in the Maldives.

Volunteers were also provided with a handbook which including a code of conduct and procedures to follow during their placement in the Maldives.

The education volunteers are based in Haa Dhaal Kulhudhuffushi, Haa Alif Ihavandhoo, Haa Alif Dhidhoo, Laamu Gan, Gaaf Alif Maamendhoo, Raa Dhuvaafaru and Kaafu Villingili.

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