Tag: maldives

Maldives fasting as month of Ramadan begins

The Maldives has entered its second day of fasting after the holy month of Ramadan began yesterday.

The Islamic Ministry of the Maldives declared that yesterday was the first day of Ramadan and that people should begin fasting, abstaining from eating and drinking between dawn to sundown. Muslims who are ill or travelling are permitted to delay their fast.

Ramadan marks month in which the Quran was revealed to mankind, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.

The rituals of month – such as fasting and sexual abstinence – are intended remind those who follow Islam of their duty as a Muslim, by keeping them away from worldly temptations to tame the mind and instill determination.

“Ramadan is an occasion to renew family ties and brotherly relations among Muslims,’’ said President Mohamed Nasheed, requesting that disputes and disagreements people be left behind as people work for the benefit of the country.

The daytime pace of life in Male’ has already slowed, with the capital’s usually vibrant cafe culture shifting to the evening, after sunset. Government offices close at 1:30pm during Ramadan, rather than 4:00pm, and the streets are noticeably quieter.

Interestingly, the popularity (and price) of watermelon surges during Ramadan in the Maldives, with the fruit valued as a ‘break fast’ specialty because of its high water content and easily-absorbed sugars.

The Islamic Ministry will meanwhile hold religious sermons every day after Asr prayer. Special functions will be held on every Friday and Monday evening, when religious scholars will preach on different topics. The Islamic Ministry has said those present will be able to querying the scholars who attend.

State Islamic Minister Sheikh Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed explained that in all Islamic countries it is also prohibited for non-muslims to eat or drink anything on the streets during Ramadan.

”Non-Muslims should respect the month of Ramadan, and our beliefs and culture,” said Shaheem. ”That doesnt mean that they can’t eat in their homes, in their private life.”

Police Sub-Inspector Ahmed Shiyam said that police would take action against foreigners observed to be eating publicly during the holy month of Ramadan, ”and as for Maldivians, we will send cases to the Prosecutor General’s office and to court. With foreigners also we will take action according to suggestions from the PG.”

President of the Adhaalath Party, Sheikh Hussein Rasheed Ahmed, has posted Ramadan greetings to the president and first lady of the Maldives, as well as the Vice President and his wife, senior state executives, leaders of all the political parties, diplomats from different countries, members of the party and the people of the Maldives.

Vice president of religious NGO Jamiyytahul Salaf, Sheikh Hussein Moosa Fikry has delivered a sermon on how to correctly observe fasting, according to the habits of Prophet Mohamed [PBUH].

Famous religious scholar Sheikh Adam Shameem Bin Ibrahim has also has delivered a sermon related to the holy month of ramdan.

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Adhaalath party congratulates parties for ending Supreme Court deadlocks

The Adhaalath Party has congratulated the parliament and the government for coming to an understanding over the controversial issue of establishing the Supreme Court and appointing a Chief Justice, on conclusion of the interim period of the constitution.

“We praise and thank the speaker of the parliament and the government for the sacrifices they made and for the unity they showed for the first time, to establish the Supreme Court and to appoint the Chief Justice,’’ said the party in a statement.

“We also congratulate the new Chief justice and the Supreme Court judges who have been appointed permanently.’’

The party said they hoped the Supreme Court would bring balance and justice to the country and that the unity parliament had showed would be continued..

Earlier this week a surge in political partisanship, caused by disagreement over the interim period set out in the Constitution and the locking of the Supreme Court by the military, had threatened to derail the appointment process and leave the Maldives without its highest judicial authority.

However on Tuesday morning parliament approved the amended judge’s bill with 71 in favor, out of 73 members present. It was quickly ratified by President Nasheed shortly after lunchtime.

The new Judges Act enshrines judicial independence, governing ethical standards and rules on appointment and dismissal, as well as powers, responsibilities and practicalities such as salaries and allowances. The law also requires serving judges to meet a certain standards within seven years, or face dismissal.

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Adhaalath Party launches fund for flood victims in Pakistan

A fund launched on Friday by the Adhaalath Party will go towards humanitarian aid for the millions of people affected by the worst flooding in Pakistan’s history.

Speaking to Haveeru, Adhaalath Party President Sheikh Hussein Rasheed Ahmed said Pakistan’s population mostly consisted of Muslims, and called on “everyone to provide humanitarian aid for the victims in this holy month [of Ramadan].”

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Huvafen grooves to Charles Schillings beats

A sense of anticipation filled the air. Dozens of stars twinkled in the sky, while lamps hanging from the trees and soft lighting at the tables gave the beach of Huvafen Fushi a warm glow last Friday.

People lounged about in the ultra comfortable seats, casting glances at the DJ console standing almost at the edge of the deck that stretches out to the sea.

At Huvafen Fushi, a luxury retreat managed by Per AQUUM Retreats, high end luxury and top notch service blends with the stunning natural beauty of the island.

World Famous French DJ Charles Schillings is the star of the evening. Dressed casually in a black T-shirt and cut-off jeans, Schillings arrived, stopping to chat with those present along the way.

Despite being one of the top names in the world of DJing, and with three self-produced albums to his name, Schillings comes across as an extremely down to earth guy, interacting with those who stop by his console, and grooving to the music he plays.

Artists as diverse as Prince, Jackson 5, Lenny Krevitz, Dustry Springfield, Black Eyed Peas and Beatles are played alongside lesser known names.

He blends different genres and different epoques of music as effortlessly as a master weaver would weave a tapestry.

Under the starry night DJ Schillings played, giving a whole new ambience to the island resort.

Minivan News obtained an exclusive interview with DJ Schillings.

Aishath Shazra (AS): When did you first become interested in music?

Charles Schillings (CS): I was watching a Jackson 5 cartoon back in the 70s and a DJ was performing and Michael Jackson was dancing to his tunes. I was nine then and I knew what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.

AS: Which musicians have influenced you over the years?

CS: I grew up listening to various genres of music and bands, and especially the ones from the early 1980s from the post-Punk period. I was mostly inspired by Talking Heads, Shriekback, Depeche Mode, Karftwerk and the Jackson 5.

AS: You are renowned for reading the pulse of the audience, and your ability to keep them on the floor – what’s your secret?

CS: I keep the venue, the party’s theme and the surroundings in mind. I also experiment with different genres depending on the mood of the crowd. The most important thing is to see and gauge the crowd’s reaction and then zero in on the music I want to play! Funky and groovy elements with a lot of contemporary tunes.

I am also not afraid to surprise my audience as inside my music people may find a beat or a sound to relate to. Watching people move their shoulders tell me a lot too!

AS: Are you familiar with any Maldivian music, and if so, what are the chances of it (Maldivian music) making it into your playlist, or one of your mixes?

CS: I’ve been to Huvafen Fushi for the last four years now and I’ve been introduced to the beats of the Bodu Beru. I find this really the most interesting cultural expression of music and would love to work with it one day. I have heard of Zero Degrees too, but have never met them in person.

AS: You have said Maldives is one of your favourite places to perform, why is that?

CS: Huvafen Fushi is like my second home. Performing in the Maldives is like nothing else out there. I’m closest to the people here, it’s very personal and I have amazing interaction with the crowd. I also play under the stars with the beach literally at my feet, so I’m not complaining!

AS: Having played all over the world, do audience expectations vary in different cities? Where would you say is the best place to DJ?

CS: It’s not the place really that defines an expectations. It’s the crowd, the people that attend my parties that makes the difference. It’s their harmony and my music that brings it all together. So no matter where I am, being with my audience is the best place to be.

AS: Being a sound designer to Karl Lagerfield, spinning for famous designer’s events, to playing at hip clubs around the world, to playing in front of thousands in cities like Tokyo, and London, what has been your most memorable event so far?

CS: Actually, one day while mixing at a Karl Lagerfeld fashion show, I was asked to allow someone into my DJ booth. Now, that is a request I usually entertain. But I agreed this time and to my surprise, it was Mick Jagger! He stayed with me for the whole show.

Kylie Minogue also requested a song from me when I was playing at Dita Von Teese’ birthday last year, that’s definitely memorable. But the most memorable to date is when I met my girlfriend, Sophie, at Lotus in New York eight years ago.

AS: You’ve been DJing, compiling albums, producing and making your own songs, and now producing the soundtrack for a sci-fi movie. What’s next?

CS: I would really like to mix the soundtrack to a big Hollywood movie.

AS: How would you describe your latest album “Like a Radio”? How’re are you feeling about it?

CS: ‘Like a Radio’ has many firsts for my, my first experience with pop, working with only one vocal was also a first for me and it was also my very first double album. 14 tracks on the first CD and 14 remixes of the tracks on the other. It’s really quite interesting to hear how the tracks sound on radio and the remix sound at a party.

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Ramazan begins on Wednesday

Tomorrow is the first day of Ramazan and will begin the month of fasting, with Muslims abstaining from eating, drinking and sexual activity from dawn until sunset.

During Ramazan, Muslims ask forgiveness for past sins, pray for guidance and help in refraining from everyday evils, and try to purify themselves through self-restraint and good deeds.

The date is derived each year from phases of the moon, moving backwards an average of 10 days every year.

“Today the sun will set at 6.21pm and the moon will set 12 minutes later at 6.33pm. On average for all islands of Maldives, the moon will set 14 minutes after the sunset. However, as the sunsets the moon will also be vertically at the same level, thus the chances of moon being visible are very small,” reported Haveeru.

A ceremony was held at the Ministry of Islamic Affairs to announce this year’s Ramazan.

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Constitutional disaster averted as Parliament approves Supreme Court

The Maldives has appointed a new Supreme Court and narrowly averted constitutional catastrophe, after a series of parliamentary sessions today demonstrated remarkable and uncharacteristic cooperation between the two major parties.

Chief Justice Ahmed Faiz took the oath of office this evening in a ceremony at the President’s Office, and then administered the oath to five of the other appointed judges. The sixth, Muthasim Adnan, was out out of country.

Earlier this week a surge in political partisanship, caused by disagreement over the interim period set out in the Constitution and the locking of the Supreme Court by the military, had threatened to derail the process and leave the Maldives without its highest judicial authority.

On Tuesday morning parliament approved the amended judges bill 71 in favour, out of 73 members present. It was quickly ratified by President Nasheed shortly after lunchtime.

The new Judges Act enshrines judicial independence, governing ethical standards and rules on appointment and dismissal, as well as powers, responsibilities and practicalities such as salaries and allowances. The law also requires serving judges to meet a certain standards within seven years, or face dismissal.

“This law goes a long way to filling the constitutional void the country has been in since Sunday,” said the President’s Press Secretary, Mohamed Zuhair.

Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) Deputy Leader MP Ali Waheed meanwhile resigned from the from the parliamentary committee on independent state bodies, after voting against his party.

“Ali Waheed voted in the committee against the party’s decision. I am saddened because Ali Waheed resigned after breaking the three-line whip and I condemn his action,” DRP MP Ahmed Mahloof told newspaper Haveeru. Mahlouf has been nominated to replace Waheed on the committee.

A night of relief

That evening, after committee deliberations, the chamber unanimously approved the Supreme Court bench nominated by President Nasheed following rapid consultation with the Judicial Services Commission (JSC), who, down to just six members present, narrowly made quorum.

The new seven-member Supreme Court bench consists of: Former Chief Justice Abdullah Saeed, interim Supreme Court Judge Sheikh Abdullah Areef, Ahmed Muthasim Adnan, Counsellor General of Parliament Dr Ahmed Abdullah Didi, and High Court Judges Ali Hameed Mohamed and Mohamed Abdullah.

Parliament also approved the president’s original nomination for Chief Justice, Ahmed Faiz Hussain.

The President’s member on the Judicial Services Commission (JSC), Aishath Velezinee, described Faiz as “a well-respected man amongst the judges. I have never heard anybody question his independence or impartiality. He is a learned man and amongst all the politicking and hanky-panky going on, he has maintained his integrity.”

A senior government source said while the government was “not happy with every member of the [Supreme Court] bench, the President decided to bank a win. The mood is not one of jubilation, but of relief.”

Speaking to Minivan News after the vote, Velezinee said it was “a relief that we have passed through a moment which could have become really bad had the political parties not worked together and showed strength and goodwill towards the nation.”

“I hope that we will be able to reevaluate all the judges, including the reappointees. I haven’t read the documents yet, but I believe it is possible. However today is a day of relief as we begin the holy fasting month of Ramazan, after which we will get back to work improving the judiciary.”

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Customs seizes shipment of 260 toy guns

Maldives Customs Service last night seized 260 toy guns and handed them over to the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) for investigation.

Spokesperson for the Maldives Customs Service Ismail Nashid said the shipment was imported to the Maldives from Thailand and the items were classified as toys.

“We are trying to determine whether these guns could potentially be used for other purposes, even though they have been shipped as ‘toys’,’’ said Nashid. ‘’After the investigation sn concluded we will hold a joint press meeting with the media and reveal details.”

The ship was a commercial cargo ship, which was loaded in Thailand, he said.

He said the guns were now under the observation MNDF.

Spokesperson for MNDF Major Abdul Raheem said MNDF had determined that the guns were toys.

“We are yet to find out how dangerous these guns are and in what other ways they could be used,’’ said Abdul Raheem. ‘’We can only provide information about the case after the investigation is concluded.’’

Maldives Customs recently intercepted five three-foot double-edged swords inside a container imported to Maldives from China.

Spokesperson for Maldives Ports Limited (MPL), Hassan Muzni Mohamed, said the swords were discovered during an inspection by customs officers.

The ship that carried the container, ‘MOL KOMATI’, was loaded in China and stopped at a port in Singapore prior arriving in the Maldives.

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50 foot dead whale found near Thaa Atoll

A 50 foot long dead whale has been discovered by Maldives National Defence Force MNDF Coast Guard, near Thaa Atoll while it was drifting on the ocean inwards to the Atoll.

Major Abdul Raheem said the whale was first found by a fishing boat and reported to the MNDF.

”when we reached the area, the whale was drifting towards an island in Thaa Atoll,” said Abdul Raheem. ”if the whale was left drifting, there was the possibility that it reaches the island and that could be a very big trouble for the islanders.”

Raheem said the MNDF tied the whale and drifted it away from the atoll to an area that would not move towards any atoll.

”for health impacts that may rise when a dead whale drifts to an island, we moved it away,” he said. ”it cannot be moved away easily after it drifts to any island.”

The whale was drifted away from the Maldivian islands by a joint operation conducted with the Police, Maldives National Defence Force MNDF and a fishing boat.

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Government can’t restrict judges from entering Supreme Court: lawyer Shaheen Hameed

Prominent lawyer Shaheen Hameed has said that the government did not have the authority to restrict judges of the Supreme Court from entering the court, reported radio station SunFM.

Shaheen Hameed is the nephew of former President Gayoom, and has represented current President Mohamed Nasheed when he was arrested by the former administration.

SunFM reported that Shaheen claimed he had lately noticed the armed forces and power of executive attempting to work beyond the laws.

Moreover, Shaheen Hameed claimed the government was influencing the juducial system, an institution stated as independent in the constitution of the Maldives, and that the attempt was “against the spirit of the constitution.”

The government contends that the Supreme Court and the interim judges ceased to have legitimacy on conclusion of the transitional period last Saturday, with the annulment of Chapter 14 governing transitional matters, and has urged parliament to legislate the appointment of a new Supreme Court as a matter of urgency.

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