Minister of Tourism and Environment Thoriq Ibrahim has said that banning Israeli passports in the Maldives has not yet harmed tourism. The current government banned Israeli passports in the Maldives in connection with the ongoing genocide by terrorist Israel in Gaza, Palestine. The bill to bring the 3rd amendment to the Maldives Immigration Act was passed by the PNC-majority parliament on April 15. By ratifying this bill, President Dr. Muizzu has made a decision that no previous president dared to make.

The purpose of this bill is to ban Israeli citizens from entering the Maldives with Israeli passports as a measure taken by the Maldives against the inhumane acts and genocide being carried out by Israel in Palestine. Additionally, even if someone is a dual citizen of another country, if it it is clearly evident that they are Israeli, they will not be allowed to enter the Maldives.

In a press conference, Thoriq said that there don’t seem to be any Israeli tourists in the Maldives at the moment, or if there are, the numbers are very few. “However, at this time, we are not aware of any mass campaign to not come to the Maldives being carried out by any particular group. However, there are some media reports saying that the Maldives will be harmed, it might happen, along with a lot of positive news as well.” The minister also said that they are monitoring whether the number of tourists coming to the Maldives is decreasing. “As we monitor in this way, we are not aware of any major impact or mass reduction in tourists coming to the Maldives, or any calls to take action against the Maldives or not to come to the Maldives. Nothing has been registered in any way,” said Minister Thoriq.

The minister said that they are monitoring this very closely. He also said that they are informing diplomatic missions in the Maldives and abroad about why this measure was taken. From the moment the President ratified this bill, some of the world’s most famous major newspapers have published news about the Maldives banning Israeli passports. This government continues to work extensively in various international forums for the rights of the brotherly people of Palestine. The President has previously calle called for the establishment of an independent state in Palestine in accordance with the pre-1967 borders, including East Jerusalem, and for Palestine to be given full membership in the UN.

The attacks that terrorist Israel has been carrying out on Gaza are attacks that have been ongoing since October 7 of last year. In these attacks, Jewish aggressors have begun a genocide that has so far martyred thousands of Palestinians, and it still continues. So far, more than 51,000 people have been martyred in Gaza.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has stated that he supports establishing a preferential voting system that would conclude the presidential election in one round. He said this in a message posted to the WhatsApp channel he created to provide information to the public. In the President’s message, he stated that the voting system he advocates for is the preferential voting system. This system eliminates the second round of the presidential election and allows people to rank their preferred candidates when voting.

In addition to the President, former President Mohamed Nasheed has also expressed support for a preferential voting system. He revealed this in a post shared on social media. Some major countries in the world use a preferential system in presidential elections. In countries like the United States and the United Kingdom, this system exists where people vote by ranking candidates in order of preference instead of voting for just one candidate.

Currently in the Maldives, for a presidential election to be won in the first round, a candidate must receive 50% plus one vote of the voting public. Otherwise, a second round of the election must be held. Since the presidential system, all elections in the Maldives have elected the President after two rounds of voting. The Elections Commission also notes that having to hold two rounds in the presidential election is extremely costly.

While the President supports moving to a preferential voting system with one round for the presidential election, he also supports holding the presidential election and the parliamentary election together.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has stated that the Maldivian military will bear the highest national responsibility of maintaining peace, glory, and dignity without allowing any disturbance to the Maldivian state and country amidst the changes coming to the world and the changing times and situations. He said this in his congratulatory address on the occasion of the 133rd anniversary of the Maldivian military being celebrated today.

In the President’s address, he noted that this nation has remained as an independent country under the rule of one government due to the continuous sacrifices made by people to uphold the country’s independence and unity. The President said that the Maldivian military, who work to defend the country and ensure safety and security, has always played the most important role behind these sacrifices.

Referring to the work being done by the military for the country, the President said that the military always prioritizes the interests of the Maldivian nation and people over their own selves and families. He noted that in every major issue and difficult time faced by the country, it was the Maldivian military who took the initiative to shed sweat and blood for Maldivians, bearing the burden tirelessly day and night. “As long as national blood flows in the veins of the Maldivian military, as long as the pulse of freedom beats in the hearts of the Maldivian soldiers, God willing, there is no sunset for Maldivians’ independence and persistence,” the President’s address highlighted.

The President said that the secret of every progress and success achieved by Maldivians is the continuation of this country as an independent state. The President said that it is the enthusiasm, sacrifice, and unwavering determination of the Maldivian military that lifts the torch of Maldivian independence to the horizons.

Defense Minister Ghassan Maumoon has said that the hard work done by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu to enhance the military capabilities of the National Defense Force is deserving of gratitude. In a post shared on social media sending congratulations on the 133rd anniversary of the military, Minister Ghassan sent anniversary greetings to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu. In addition, he also extended congratulations to the military leadership, the brave Maldivian soldiers, and their families.

Minister Ghassan highlighted the hard work done by the President to enhance the military capabilities of the Defense Force and expressed gratitude on behalf of the Maldivian military.

The government continues to do a lot of work to improve the quality of service of the Maldivian military. It is the President’s promise to further empower the Maldivian military and for Maldivians to manage their own security affairs. Under that promise, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has introduced an “Air Corps” to the Maldivian military service for the first time in the country. With this, the Maldivian military has gained the capability to monitor the country’s maritime zone by air.

Minister of Economic Development and Trade, Mohamed Saeed, has responded by saying that in the name of running political parties, they are insulting the country and families. The Minister responded to the derogatory comments made about the President at a meeting of the People’s National Front (PNF), a party founded by former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom. A video circulating on social media shows former Vice President Dr. Mohamed Jameel Ahmed and a member of that party criticizing the President using offensive language at a PNF meeting. Many people are expressing their sentiments on social media, condemning the comments made about him in that video.

Regarding the video, Minister of Economic Development and Trade Mohamed Saeed said that even before the 2007 systematic vote in the Maldives, during a systematic debate between the two major parties at the time, the former Vice President Dr. Jameel, who can be seen in the video, became angry and left the stage, unable to control himself, after calling the people there incompetent and ignorant. He said that even 17 years later, we see the same scene, with people losing their senses when they get hold of a microphone and violating the dignity of wives, children, and families.

The Minister said that when language becomes vulgar and one starts deciding on matters such as forgiveness, heaven, and hell, which are attributes that belong only to Allah, one is forced to repent. He prayed for the Maldivian Islamic Ummah to be saved from the poison of such tongues.

The Minister said that compared to such people, the difference with President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu is his steadfastness, describing him as a gentle person with good morals. He also said in his post that the President is someone who respects others’ dignity and works tirelessly day and night with determination to fulfill the promises made to the people. The Minister also said that as the President’s actions become successful and his popularity among the people increases, losing control will will not bring any benefit.

Minister of Economic Development and Trade Mohamed Saeed also said that people like Dr. Jameel, in the name of running political parties, are insulting the country and families, and that this is not something that educated youth and civilized Muslim citizens would accept.

Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources Ahmed Shiyam has responded to comments made by opposition members at a PNF meeting, stating that governance is something Allah grants to those who work hard with good intentions, and not decisions made on street corners. A video circulating on social media shows former Vice President Dr. Mohamed Jameel Ahmed and a member of that party criticizing the President using offensive language at a PNF meeting. Many people are expressing their sentiments on social media, condemning the comments made about him in that video.

In a post regarding this matter, Minister Shiyam said that there are things that should not be said, even in politics. He also said that “when someone gets hold of a microphone on a street corner, they lose their senses and act as if the world has turned to gold,” and that it would be “much better” to remember that Dr. Mohamed Muizzu is the leader elected by the people in 2023.

The Minister said that governance is something is something Allah grants to those who work hard with good intentions. He also said that it is Allah who grants paradise to those who persist in doing good deeds. Furthermore, Minister Shiyam stated that governance is not decisions made on street corners, and that he prays for guidance for those who think in such ways.