The Committee on National Security Services (241) has passed an amendment to the Immigration Act to prohibit entry into the Maldives with Israeli passports until Israel stops its attacks aimed at eliminating Palestinians. The proposal to amend the Immigration Act to ban individuals with Israeli passports from entering the Maldives was submitted by MDP member Mickail Ahmed Naseem, representing the Galolhu South constituency. The bill, submitted on May 29 last year, was accepted and sent to the Committee on National Security Services (241), where it has remained at the committee stage.

After a long period, at today’s committee meeting to work on the bill, numerous amendments were made before passing it. The most significant amendment was the removal of the provision that banned both individuals with Israeli passports and those from other countries who also hold Israeli passports from entering the Maldives. Instead, the ban now only applies to those who attempt to enter the Maldives using an Israeli passport. This change was made after Immigration informed the committee that it would not be possible to implement the ban otherwise.

With this change, individuals who have Israeli passports along with passports from other countries or those with dual citizenship will be able to enter the Maldives. The bill was passed unanimously by the committee, where the government PNC holds a majority, after these amendments. This passage of the bill with significant changes comes at a time when the opposition MDP and the public have been heavily criticizing the government for the delay in proceeding with this matter.

The project to construct 400 housing units in Hulhumalé under a loan from the Saudi Development Fund has commenced today. The project was inaugurated at a ceremony held in Hulhumalé Phase 2 by Minister of Finance and Planning, Moosa Zameer, and the CEO of the fund, Sultan Abdulrahman Al-Marshad. The Ministry of Housing stated that this project will facilitate homeownership and housing for many people under the government’s policy. However, no further information is yet available regarding the affordable housing units to be released.

After inaugurating the project, Zameer said that this work will solve the difficulty of providing affordable and suitable housing that the country is facing socially and economically. Zameer said that this is a development that brings hope and progress to housing projects. He also noted that this is a step towards reducing congestion in Malé and improving living conditions. In March 2023, the Ministry of Finance had announced to find a consultancy firm for the project to build housing units in Hulhumalé.

During this visit of the Saudi Fund’s CEO to the Maldives, an agreement for an additional loan of 17 million dollars to develop the terminal at Velana Airport was also signed today.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Saudi Fund for Development, Sultan bin Abdulrahman Al-Murshid, has been awarded the Honor of Nishan Muleeage. The Honor of Nishan Muleeage was presented to the CEO of the Saudi Fund by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu at a special ceremony held this morning at the President’s Office. President President awarded the Honor of Nishan Muleeage to Sultan bin Abdulrahman Al-Murshid in recognition of the extensive support that the Saudi Fund has provided and continues to provide for the development of the Maldives and the improvement of the general condition of its people.

This honor was bestowed under the power granted to the President by Article 115 of the Constitution of the Republic of Maldives and Article 3 of the Maldives Honors Act. The Honor of Nishan Muleeage is named after Sultan Muhammad Shamsuddin. He was the ruler of the Maldives from 1893 and between 1903 and 1934 in the Gregorian calendar. The first constitution implemented in the Maldives was ordered to be written during this sultan’s reign. The Maldivians also accepted that constitution in 1933 during his reign.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Saudi Fund for Development, Sultan bin Abdulrahman Al-Murshad, arrived in the Maldives on an official visit on the 13th of this month. The Saudi Fund is a very important partner in the Maldives’ development journey. The Saudi Fund has provided more than $470 million in aid to various sectors such as transportation, health, housing, and fisheries. Notably, in May 2024, the Saudi Fund granted loans of $150 million for two important projects.

Of this, $100 million was granted for the development of Velana International Airport. The aim is to increase tourism and economic growth. And $50 million was granted for the health sector development project. Under this project, three hospitals will be built in different regions of the Maldives, expanding health services.

The Saudi Fund is a fund established by the government of Saudi Arabia in 1974. This fund was created to provide financial assistance and cooperation for development projects in developing countries. The fund’s objective is to work towards sustainable development through soft loans and grants. In this regard, the Saudi Fund mainly focuses on providing assistance in the areas of basic resources, health, education, and energy.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has sent greetings on Dhivehi Language Day, which is being celebrated today, noting that Maldivians will spend every day prioritizing the Dhivehi language. In a social media post sending greetings for the day, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu said that Maldivians will spend every year, decade, century, and millennium prioritizing the Dhivehi language. The President also noted that the Dhivehi language is the main pillar of Maldivian identity.

President Dr. Muizzu extended his best wishes for Dhivehi Language Day with the sweet hope that the Dhivehi language will continue to thrive and flourish with every turn and progress of the times. Dhivehi Language Day was first celebrated in 2015. The Dhivehi Language Academy has set “Prioritize Dhivehi” as this year’s slogan for Dhivehi Language Day.

The current government pays special attention to reviving and promoting the Dhivehi language and protecting and maintaining Maldivian nationality. As such, the Ministry of Dhivehi Affairs, which was specially created for this purpose, has been working on projects to restore nationality under the initiative of the President. These works include the creation of a College of Nationality, the restoration of the National Printing Press, the creation of a group of heritage researchers, and the commencement of research work. In addition, the Minister of Dhivehi Affairs has previously stated that a national project to raise awareness about Dhivehi will be launched during this term to foster love for the Dhivehi language.

Dhivehi Language Day is celebrated every year on April 14th. This day is celebrated in connection with the birthday of Fadhilatushshaikh Hussain Salahuddin, who is famous as the most productive literary figure in the Maldives. The Dhivehi language is a symbol of Maldivian connections. It is the lamp that brings life to Maldivian ways and behaviors. It is the moonlight that gives honor and dignity to this land. Yes! Dhivehi is our mother tongue. It is the language that Maldivians have been communicating in since ancient times.

Dhivehi is the mediator that connects our unity, culture, behaviors, and relationships. One of the most important aspects of Maldivian authenticity is our beloved Dhivehi language. Dhivehi Language Day is celebrated for these reasons. Dhivehi Language Day was first celebrated in 2015. The Dhivehi Language Academy has set “Prioritize Dhivehi” as this year’s slogan for Dhivehi Language Day.

In a special interview given in connection with Dhivehi Language Day, Dhivehi language professor Abdul Aziz Jamaal Aboobakuru said that one of the most important purposes of celebrating a Dhivehi Language Day is to instill in people’s hearts the importance of this language to Maldivians. As such, Abdul Aziz said that Dhivehi is an important element of Maldivian nationality. “This is a language that has been maintained for so long. Dhivehi is essential for the survival of Maldivians. Without it, there is no Maldivian identity,” Abdul Aziz said.

Abdul Aziz said that on Dhivehi Language Day, the greatest importance should be given to raising awareness about Dhivehi and determining to become familiar with it. He also said that our lack of knowledge of Dhivehi does not indicate the poverty of the Dhivehi language, but rather the low level of our familiarity with the language. Therefore, Abdul Aziz appealed to learn to communicate well in Dhivehi. Abdul Aziz also noted that we will be honored and maintain our Maldivian identity to the extent that we become familiar with the Dhivehi language and nationality.

The current government pays special attention to reviving and promoting the Dhivehi language and protecting and maintaining Maldivian nationality. As such, the Ministry of Dhivehi Affairs, which was specially created for this purpose, has been working on projects to restore nationality under the initiative of the President. These works include the creation of a College of Nationality, the restoration of the National National Printing Press, the creation of a group of heritage researchers, and the commencement of research work. In addition, the Minister of Dhivehi Affairs has previously stated that a national project to raise awareness about Dhivehi will be launched during this term to foster love for the Dhivehi language.

While the government is doing a lot of work to prioritize and promote the language, we too need to pay attention to becoming familiar with the language. That’s how Maldivian identity can be maintained. Because that language is the barrier that distinguishes Maldivians from other nations.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has decided to ban tobacco in the Maldives from next November for children born from 2007 onwards. This decision was made after discussions on a paper submitted by the Ministry of Health during today’s cabinet meeting. With the advice of the cabinet, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has decided to completely ban tobacco for children born on and after January 1, 2007. The President had previously stated that it was important to implement a “generational ban” or a ban specific to a certain age group to solve the tobacco problem in the Maldives.

In addition to introducing an age-specific ban to build a tobacco-free generation in the Maldives, the cabinet has also decided to make necessary amendments to laws and regulations to implement the ban. As such, it has been decided to give a 6-month period to implement the law from the date of ratification of the amendment to the law.

While a 6-month period has been decided to implement the law, according to the President’s Office, this period will end on November 1, 2025. Therefore, the law will come into effect from that date. Additionally, the cabinet has decided that the Ministry of Finance and Planning should provide necessary support to the Ministry of Health to strengthen tobacco cessation services.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has said that he is proud of the work Island Aviation has been doing in spreading the name of the Maldives through the air. He said this in a post congratulating Island Aviation, which operates the national airline Maldivian, on its 25th anniversary.

In a post shared on social media, the President said that Island Aviation has been continuously spreading the name of the Maldivian nation through the air for 25 years. He also said that he is proud of the dedicated work done by the company’s team.

In his post, the President extended his congratulations and best wishes on the joyous day of celebrating the silver jubilee of service in expanding the country’s transportation, sustaining the economy, and maintaining development. In addition to the President, Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef has also congratulated Island Aviation on its 25th anniversary.

An easier way has been made for people over 60 years old to get licenses for some vehicles. According to the amendment brought to the regulations on issuing land vehicle driving licenses by the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation, this license will only allow driving motorcycles under 60cc, auto cycles, and island pickups. According to the amendment to this regulation, vehicles can only be driven using this license on the island where the issuing authority is located. And the license will only be issued for roads that allow driving at speeds less than 30 kilometers per hour.

Regarding this new amendment, the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, Mohamed Ameen, said that under the amendment to the licensing regulations, there is no restriction for anyone over 18 years of age to obtain the temporary and permanent licenses currently issued by completing the specified exams. As such, temporary licenses and permanent licenses under the land vehicle driving license regulations will be issued upon completion of the exams set by that ministry. In addition to these two types of licenses, instead of completing these exams, the minister said that the authority to issue a special license for senior citizens to drive motorcycles under 60cc and island pickups by completing a 4-hour training program will be given to island councils.

The duration of the license issued to elderly people is 10 years from the date of issuance. And when the period expires, the license holder does not have the option to renew that license. However, the amendment to the regulation states that there will be an opportunity to apply for a new license after completing the special training program again. If a person driving a vehicle under a license specifically for elderly people violates traffic regulations more than once, the Ministry of Transport or the issuing authority has the right to cancel the license issued to that person. According to this regulation, a fee of 250 rufiyaa must be paid to obtain the license and complete the license-related training program.

In the ongoing genocide against Muslims in Gaza, Palestine, a hospital in the city has been subjected to dangerous attacks, causing severe damage. Israeli forces launched devastating missiles at Al-Ahli Arab Hospital in northern Gaza City. Gaza health officials said the Israeli missile attacks caused significant damage to the emergency room building and reception area of the hospital. Upon receiving indirect information that Israeli forces were planning to attack the hospital, efforts were made to relocate patients to other areas. It is unclear if there were any casualties from the Israeli attacks.

The Al-Ahli Hospital that was attacked by Israel was home to hundreds of displaced refugees in addition to patients. Videos have been released showing many people who were living there trying to find safety before the Israeli attacks began. Hamas, which governs Gaza, has described the deliberate attack on Al-Ahli Hospital as a heinous crime. This is not the first time Israeli forces have launched terrorist attacks targeting Gaza’s hospitals. The Gaza government media office said Israeli forces have previously bombed and severely damaged 35 hospitals across different parts of Gaza.

This includes Al-Ahli as well. In October 2023, Israeli forces launched dangerous attacks on the hospital, killing over 100 people at once and injuring many others. This is a crime against international law aimed at depriving those injured in Israeli terrorist attacks of medical care. Israeli forces began committing inhumane crimes against Gaza’s Muslims on October 7, 2023. The number of martyrs in that aggression has risen to 61,700, while over 114,000 people have been injured. Gaza’s civilian homes and infrastructure have also been destroyed and razed to the ground.

Although a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel that went into effect on January 19 suspended attacks, Israeli forces violated the agreement and resumed attacks on Gaza on March 18. The Gaza Ministry of Health revealed that the number of martyrs in the terrorist attacks since then has risen to over 1,500. The majority of them are innocent women, innocent children, and the elderly with weakened physical strength.

Minister at the Presidential Palace Iqbal Adam has stated that the stories being spread about expenses made for the President’s use from the Muliaage budget are contrary to the truth. The Minister in charge of overseeing all matters of the Presidential Palace said this in response to a news report circulated by Channel-13 on the 11th of this month, claiming an expense was made for the President’s use from the Muliaage budget.

Channel-13 had reported that large expenses were being made from the Muleeage budget for the President’s affairs, citing a receipt circulating on social media for items purchased to take to Aarah for the President to see dogs during this weekend. Speaking to PSM News regarding this matter, the Minister in charge of overseeing the Presidential Palace affairs, Iqbal Adam, has denied the news spread by Channel-13. Minister Iqbal said that the expenses from the Muleeage budget will be many times lower compared to the expenses made by various former presidents for meals and similar matters from the official budget in the past, and the expenses made by the current President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu since taking oath. The Minister noted that President Dr. Muizzu always advises to manage affairs in a way that minimizes all such expenses. The Minister also noted that Muleeage expenses are managed based on this principle.

“I also manage affairs according to his advice. So we won’t make any expense unless it’s absolutely necessary. Especially at a time like this when the country’s economic situation is at this point, and while the President is taking steps to reduce expenses, spreading such slanderous false news greatly misleads the public about the reality of these matters and creates discord among the people,” said Minister at the Presidential Palace Iqbal Adam. Minister Iqbal Adam said that spreading such baseless news is very irresponsible and he strongly condemns this act.