Day: June 26, 2010

Maldivian journalist and blogger found unconscious on Raa atoll

Well-known Maldivian writer and blogger, Ismail Khilath ‘Hilath’ Rasheed, 34, has been found unconscious from a suspected drug overdose on an uninhabited island in Raa atoll, according to a Haveeru report in Dhivehi.

Hilath was found unconscious at a beach in Furaveri, a garden island where he had been staying since last Saturday. The caretaker of the island found him at the beach around 4:00pm last Wednesday, said the Haveeru report.

Haveeru noted that Hilath was being treated at Ugoofaru hospital, and his condition was improving.

Today Police Sub-Inspector Ahmed Shiyam said Hilath had been released from hospital and is now being held in police custody while police investigate the drug related-incident.

“We tried to keep him under house arrest but his family refused and asked that he be placed in police custody,” Shiyam said, adding that the court had ruled that Hilath could be held for seven days.

Hilath, a journalist of 10 years experience, is one of the most outspoken and controversial figures in the Maldivian ‘bloggosphere’ and is well known for being highly critical of Islamic fundamentalism in the Maldives.

In March he was the subject of death threats published on Muraasil.com, a popular publishing platform that allows anyone to publish content in Dhivehi.

The threats were quickly removed from Muraasil following complaints, but not before receiving widespread attention.

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High Court concludes hearings into Public Service salaries dispute

The High Court has concluded hearings in the appeal case involving the finance ministry’s order to government offices to prepare salary sheets in accordance with reduced salaries scales, after the civil service commission (CSC) announced the restoration of wages, Haveeru reports.

The Civil Court earlier ruled that the ministry did not have authority to make the order.

Solicitor General Abdulla Muiz spoke on behalf of finance ministry before Judge Ali Hameed on Thursday, saying that the Majlis had not decided to restore civil service wages and no separate budget was allocated for it. Instead, the Majlis decision was to allow the ministry and the commission to work in agreement, he said.

Representing CSC, former communications minister Dr Abdulla Jameel responded that it was against article 96(c) of the constitution not to give the money allocated for civil service wages. The article was included in the constitution because the former government had not kept up with the budget, he claimed. The commission’s independence would not be maintained, said Dr Jameel, if it was required to act on recommendations.

Judge Hameed concluded the hearing and said an additional hearing would only be held if the court finds something that should be clarified.

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World Bank grants over Rf160,000 to two Maldivian NGOs

The World Bank has granted more than Rf160,000 to two local NGOs for social projects, according to Haveeru Online.

The bank granted US$12,500 (Rf160,625) from its Civil Society Fund to the Live and Learn Environmental Education and the Maldives NGO Federation, during a function held at the Holiday Inn, Male, on Wednesday.

The Live and Learn grant will be used for a project to manufacture chilli sauce from locally grown chillies, and the NGO Federation grant will develop two video units in Fuvahmulah (Gnaviyani) and Addu (Seenu) atolls.

Executive Director of World Bank Group Dr Mirza Hassan said the bank’s aim was to foster a close relationship with Maldivian civil society. “This is the first time such aid has been provided to Maldivian NGOs. It has been decided to provide such aid to other local NGOs as well,” said Dr Hassan.

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Islamic ministry concerned about some aspects of DRP’s amendments to Religious Unity Act

Making the Shafi sect the basis of Islam in Maldives is unIslamic, says the ministry of Islamic Affairs in a statement on the proposed DRP amendments to the Religious Unity Act in the Majlis.

The ministry’s scholars claim Islam is a religion which allows Imams to chose from the styles of various sects, for example in the selection of praying rituals.

Neither the Koran nor the Sunnah of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) encourage a particular sect, and such an issue cannot be written into law, says the ministry.

The ministry welcomes the draft amendments to the Act, however, there are some elements about which its scholars expressed concern, according to a Miadhu Daily report, and the ministry calls on MPs to amend the draft proposals in committee.

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Boy missing in Male’ discovered in Addu Atoll

Police have located missing 14 year old Ahmed Laizam Latheef on Hithadhoo in Addu Atoll, after his family reported him missing at 11:30pm on Wednesday night.

Laizam is from Kashmeeruge in Seenu Feydhoo Atoll but was living at Ma. Velagala in Male’. His family reported him missing after he left home to pray in the nearby mosque across the road but did not return.

A family member told Minivan News the boy was not used to going anywhere alone, ”and he only goes to the mosque by himself as it is very close to our house.”

Police Sub-Inspector Ahmed Shiyam said Laizam had taken a boat to Addu Atoll where we was staying with relatives on Hithadhoo.

“Police confirmed he was there, but he was sleeping so we didn’t disturb him,” Shiyam said, adding that police are now investigating why he left home.

“At this time, we can’t say why he left home,” Shiyam said. “He went by himself – nobody told him to go.”

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