Category: News in Brief

“Untitled Works” exhibition to be held at National Art Gallery

A solo exhibition by Mariyam Omar called “Untitled Works” will be held at the National Art Gallery on Thursday March 10, at 8:30pm.

The museum noted that Omar in her exhibition has used a range of mediums, including unconventional materials like coffee to explore the theme of the human figure and expressive gestures of the body.

Formally trained as a graphic designer, Omar has also produced and exhibited her works in Maldives and abroad over the past few years.

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Second round of local council elections to be held on Saturday

The Maldives will hold a second round of elections on Saturday in five constituencies where candidates received an equal number of votes, reports Haveeru.

Director General of the Elections Commission Mohamed Tholal told Haveeru that run-off elections would be held at Baa atoll Kihaadhoo council, Raa atoll Dhuvaafaru council, Gaaf Alif atoll Kolamaafushi council, Haa Dhaal atoll Kumundhoo council, and Meemu atoll Veyvah councils.

“We are trying to send the ballots to the islands tomorrow,” Tholal said. “We will set up ballot boxes in the respective islands and Male as not enough people registered during the registration period.”

The High Court meanwhile has 33 cases pending concerning the local council elections, out 42 filed. 18 are complaint cases, and 15 involve criminal investigation, Haveeru reported.

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Suspects arrested in gang assault case

Police have arrested several suspects in connection with a recent gang assault near the artificial beach area on Friday.

Haveeru reported that a group of young men had attacked another group with shovels and knives in front of children and women, one of whom fainted. The gang then reportedly held one witness at knife-point and stole his motorbike to escape.

All three victims were admitted to hospital, with 21 year-old Hussein Saeed from Hithadhoo in a critical condition.

Police did not provide further details of the arrests.

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WHO moves to Roashanee Building

The WHO Maldives Country Office has moved to a new on the sixth Floor of Roashanee Building, Sosun Magu, Male’. The new premises were officially opened by the WHO Representative in Maldives, Dr Jorge Mario Luna and the Minister of Health and Family, Aminath Jameel.

The new office was provided by the government of the Maldives, the same as the WHO’s first office in 1965. The building also houses the Ministry of Health and Family and most of the various departments that fall under it.

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TMA Chief engineer arrested for alleged sexual assault

Haveeru has reported that the Chief engineer of Trans Maldivian Airways (TMA) has been arrested for alleged sexually abuse of a female pilot, also working for TMA.

TMA told Haveeru it had no information regarding the incident.

However police confirmed to Haveeru that the chief engineer had been arrested.

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Parliament to vote on ministerial reappointments

The opposition-majority parliament will vote on the appointment of the new Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Dr Mariyam Zulfa, and Minister of Transport and Communication, Adil Saleem, later this month.

The two ministers were appointed during a ministerial shuffle prompted by parliament’s decision not to endorse seven members of cabinet following their en masse resignation in July 2010.

Haveeru reported that the Parliament Secretariat will present a committee’s evaluation report on the appointments on March 21.

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Maldives’ first Islamic bank opens for business

The first Islamic bank in the Maldives opened today, promising Shariah-compliant banking services. President Mohamed Nasheed attended the opening ceremony this morning.

In an interview with Haveeru, CEO of Maldives Islamic Bank (MIB) Harith Harun said the bank entered the market with capital of Rf150 million (US$12 million), and would operate current, savings and term deposit accounts structured so as to avoid the payment of interest.

Harun told Haveeru the bank would also provide credit facilities to businesses and individuals under Murabahah (sale), Ijarah (lease) or Musharakah (equity participation), as well as trade finance, remittance and ancillary services.

Minimum initial deposit for a savings account would be Rf1000 or US$100, Harun said, Rf2500 or US$250 for a current account, and Rf5000 or US$500 for companies.

Harun told Haveeru that there was a strong demand for Islamic banking services in the Maldives. However he said the bank also faced issues with laws preventing foreign ownership of land, and would be unable to provide home-financing until the law was rectified. A 15 percent tax on the transfer of properly was also “disadvantageous”, he told Haveeru.

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Iraqi ambassador presents credentials

The new Iraqi Ambassador to the Maldives has presented his credentials to President Mohamed Nasheed.

During a meeting with Kahtan Taha Khalaf , Nasheed said that both Iraq and the Maldives had embraced democracy, albeit under different circumstances.

Nasheed said the Maldives “takes pride in being a Muslim country with a thriving democracy.”

Khalaf said the new Iraq wanted to enhance its cooperation with Asia and other Muslim countries, and assured the President that he would work to further strengthen relations between the Maldives and Iraq under his tenure.

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International Women’s Day celebrations to be held Artificial Beach, 9-11pm

The Maldives will celebrate the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day with a special event at the Artificial Beach in Male’ this evening, from 9-11pm.

The event is being organised by UNFPA in collaboration with Thirees Nuvaeh, an NGO focused on promoting traditional Maldivian culture.

The event will include a speech by Islamic Scholar Dr Qubaid, Kiran Bedi and MDP MP for Galolhu Uthuru Eva Abdulla.

Entertainment will include Boduberu/Dhigudhandi by Villigili and Hura Groups, Dhivehi Peoms, Bandhi, Raivaru, and Buzura Dance.

Full programme:

1. Recitation of the Holy Quran (3 minutes)
2. Introduction Raheema Adam (5 minutes)
3. Video Clip (15 minutes)
4. Speech by Country Director UNFPA Ms Lene Christiansen (7 minutes)
5. Speech by Aneesa Ahmed (10 minutes)
6. Speech by Keynote Speaker Savithri Goonesekara (15 minutes)
7. Speech by Eva Abdulla (10 minutes)
8. Speech by Faleelathusheikh Mohamed Qubad Abubakru (15 minutes)
9. Thank you note by Raheema (3 minutes)

10. Boduberu by Harubee (10 minutes)
11. Bandhi (5 minutes)
12. Raivaru (10 minutes)
13. Poem (10 minutes)
14 Buzura dance (5 minutes)

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