Bank of Maldives Islamic has held Eid gatherings in 10 islands. BML Islamic has organized Eid gatherings in 10 islands to celebrate Eid al-Fitr and strengthen community bonds. This year’s Eid gatherings were held in collaboration with island councils and associations in the following islands:

R. Meedhoo
M. Muli
GA. Gemanafushi
HA. Dhidhdhoo
ADh. Mahibadhoo
L. Fonadhoo
V. Keyodhoo
Hulhumedhoo
N. Fodhdhoo
Dh. Bandidhoo

This year’s Eid gatherings were held as part of the activities organized to celebrate the 10th anniversary of BML Islamic services. BML also held Eid gatherings in 6 islands last year.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has stated that we should not let the remembrance of Gaza’s Muslim people fade while expressing the joy of Eid al-Fitr.

The President said this in his address on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr 1446.

The President said that while expressing the joy of Eid al-Fitr, we should not let even the slightest dimness come to remembering the Muslim people of Gaza, and we should not forget the cries of Gaza’s beloved children. He added that we should always maintain our well-wishes and good prayers with our beloved brothers and sisters in Palestine.

The President further said that the entire life of Muslims should be based on goodness, and that everything we do should be done in a good way, and every word we say should be said in a good manner.

“In addition to the fasting we observe during Ramadan, we increase good deeds, seek forgiveness, and increase supplications to maintain this standard,” the President said.

Noting that Eid day is a day when we face a new year of life after the end of Ramadan, the President said that after spending all the time in worship during Ramadan, we get new days again with the hope of receiving divine pleasure and forgiveness. Therefore, the President advised that the most special resolution of Eid day should be to strive to reform oneself in the coming days as we asked in the presence of Allah for self-improvement, and to keep all actions within the sublime boundaries of Islam both in enjoying the joys of Eid and afterwards in everything we do.

The President noted that the government will work to make the Maldives a model nation in upholding the sublime slogans of the noble Islamic religion, and that arranging for islands to be lit up and for the sound of Takbeer to resound are things introduced for that purpose in enjoying the joy of Eid.

“We should work to make Eid day a day of spreading goodness. We should look to make Eid day a day that brings smiles to children’s faces. It’s important for Eid day to be a day when family ties are strengthened and a new spirit of kinship is gained, as well as a day with the participation of youth, senior citizens, and the entire community,” the President said.

Eid al-Fitr prayers have been performed in large congregations across various parts of the Maldives.

In the Male’ area, Eid prayers were held in large congregations at four locations. These were the Maafannu Stadium in Male’, the Vilimale’ Football Ground area, the Synthetic Track in Hulhumale’ Phase One, and the Cricket Stadium in Phase Two.

This year too, the Eid prayer was held at 7:00 AM. A large number of men, women, and children participated in the Eid prayer held in large congregations in Male’ today. President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu also participated in this congregation.

The government decided to change the starting time of the Eid prayer congregation to 7:00 AM last year. This decision was made after extensive consultations among many senior officials.

In addition, Eid al-Fitr prayers were conducted in 23 mosques in the Male’ area.

While Eid prayers were held in large congregations across various parts of the Maldives, driving motorized land vehicles in the Greater Male’ area has also been banned for the evening of Eid al-Fitr day.”

The Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation has announced that driving motorized land vehicles will be prohibited in the Greater Male’ area on the evening of Eid al-Fitr.

The Ministry stated that driving motorized land vehicles in the Greater Male’ area will be banned from 16:00 to 18:00 on the evening of Eid al-Fitr. Additionally, driving heavy vehicles in the Greater Male’ area will be prohibited from 16:00 to 23:30 on the evening of Eid al-Fitr.

The Ministry also said that during these hours, driving any motorized land vehicles in the Greater Male’ area, except for specific vehicles, is prohibited under Article 5 (d) of the “Land Transport Act” 5/2009.

The Ministry stated that during the evening hours, only vehicles used by security forces, ambulances, vehicles specially designated for people with special needs, public transport bus services, vehicles permitted for travelers, and vehicles authorized to drive during those hours of Eid al-Fitr day will be allowed to operate.

Making Male’ a “pedestrian-friendly” area on Eid evening makes it easier for families to come out together on the streets to celebrate Eid.

Eid lights have been turned on for 80 percent of the Maldives population.

This was revealed by the Minister of Cities, Administrative Areas Management, and Public Works, Adam Shareef Umar, while speaking at the official ceremony to begin the Eid lighting tonight.

The Minister said that strengthening Islamic faith and reviving various aspects related to Islam is a priority in President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s leadership.

He also said that celebrating Eid and expressing Eid joy in a way that maintains the dignity and respect of Islam is a priority for the government.

The Minister stated that lighting Islamic-themed lights is something that can be done in a Muslim country, and Eid lighting was first highlighted during President Dr. Muizzu’s mayorship. He added that although 24 areas in the Maldives celebrated Eid lighting at that time, the work began in various islands of the Maldives with the request of the people.

“The government has provided the opportunity for Eid lighting to approximately 80 percent of the Maldives population. I thank the President for the government organizing such a thing to revive Islamic culture with such great opportunities,” the Minister said.

The Minister has noted that from the beginning of the Eid lighting work until today, the assistance of STELCO employees has been received.

The Minister said that the real key to increasing public participation in national development and properly obtaining that participation is the council offices, and that decentralization policies need to be deeply considered. He also said that councils need to work to implement these policies.

Speaking at this ceremony, Islamic Minister Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed said that the growing generation of today needs to be taught the lessons of Islam.

Minister Dr. Shaheem has appealed to maintain relationships, prioritize unity, remember Allah, and express joy in this Eid.

Last night, Zakat House publicly released the statistics of Fitr Zakat received in cash from across the country.

This year, 13 million rufiyaa was received as Fitr Zakat, while last year it was 12 million rufiyaa. In 2023, 12 million rufiyaa was received, while in 2022, it was 11 million rufiyaa.

It should be noted that the amount of Fitr Zakat received in kind this year was less. This year, 10,023.6 kg of goods were received, while last year it was 12,959.29 kg, in 2023 it was 12,380.85 kg, and in 2022, 10,092.00 kg of goods were received.

According to Zakat House statistics, this year most people paid Zakat through BML (Bank of Maldives). More than 7 million rufiyaa was paid through this bank, while over 1.2 million rufiyaa was paid through MIB, over three hundred thousand rufiyaa through Dhiraagu, and over one hundred thousand rufiyaa through Ooredoo. Additionally, over 900,000 rufiyaa was paid through FahiPay, over 800,000 rufiyaa through BandeyrPay, over 400,000 rufiyaa at the Zakat House counter, and over 1.8 million rufiyaa through councils.

The government has now decided to deposit Fitr Zakat money to the poor and donate 500,000 rufiyaa for food for children in Gaza.

The amount of Fitr Zakat to be issued is the value of 2.4 kg of the type of food commonly eaten for meals in that island during the year. Officially, Zakat is set to be received as money equivalent to the value of 2.4 kg of staple food.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has stated that Maldivian police should be determined and exemplary in respecting the law.

In his address today on the occasion of the 92nd anniversary of the Maldives Police Service, the President highlighted the importance of police setting an example in respecting the law. President Muizzu said that police always carry out their professional responsibilities to enforce the law, and that every police officer should be determined to set an example in respecting the law first and foremost.

In the President’s address, he extended sincere greetings and congratulations to all Maldivian police on the joyous occasion of the 92nd anniversary of the Maldives Police Service. Additionally, he expressed gratitude for the valuable service of the ministers who oversaw police affairs over this long period, senior officials who held high positions in the police, and personnel who worked in the police service.

In his address, the President shed light on how police should set an example in respecting the law. As such, he urged them to maintain ethical standards in interactions, and emphasized that in addition to preventing crime, it is also the duty of the police to deter society from engaging in criminal activities. The President encouraged them to raise public awareness, explain the correct way of doing things, teach others good manners and habits, and always remain as guides for others.

Furthermore, the President noted that the police institution has many capable children who are well-educated in various fields needed for the country, and that the Maldives Police Service has become one of the sectors with the highest number of Maldivians with different skills and education.

Concluding his address, the President appealed for every Maldivian police officer to be a valuable child who is faithful to their oath, respectful of religion, serviceable to the nation, compassionate towards every citizen, and diligent in fulfilling their duties.

On the occasion of the 92nd anniversary of the Police Service, President Muizzu extended greetings and congratulations to all Maldivian police. He also expressed gratitude for the valuable service of the ministers who oversaw police affairs over this long period, senior officials who held high positions in the police, and personnel who worked in the police service.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has stated that belittling others and saying whatever one wants is not freedom of expression, and that we must remember there are limits along with rights.

The President said this while speaking at the first-ever ceremony held to award certificates to graduating Hafiz.

The President said that the Holy Quran is a practical book and not just a book to be recited at ceremonies.

Emphasizing that practical behavior should be shaped according to what is in the book, the President raised questions about how things are in society today.

“We encroach on each other’s honor, spread false stories, create divisions – we have all the bad habits among us. The Quran mentions all the habits we need to distance ourselves from. We need to reflect. Even in political rivalry, we encroach on honor. In small groups, we violate human dignity. That’s not what the Quran instructs. We nee Quran instructs. We need to make the Quran a book we practice every day, otherwise, human dignity cannot be restored,” the President said.

The President stated that every person has dignity and that everyone should respect other human beings. He added that this society will improve only when we accept that others, like ourselves, are people with dignity.

The President emphasized that everyone needs to reform themselves without deceiving their own selves to bring the country to the right path.

The President further said that no matter how many buildings and houses are built and projects are carried out, if one’s heart and mind are not shaped according to what Allah has instructed, real development will not come, and that intellectual development is necessary.

The President appealed to be people who act according to what is instructed in the Quran. He also said that everyone needs to work towards building a compassionate society by accepting that every person is someone who thinks well of their fellow Muslim and has dignity, and by desiring for others the same dignity, compassion, mercy, and affection that one desires for oneself.

Islamic Minister Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed has stated that the aim is to expand Awqaf investments and carry out projects to reach at least 100 million rufiyaa annually without relying on the state budget.

The Minister said this while speaking at the inaugural honorary ceremony for awarding certificates to Hafiz who have memorized the Holy Quran.

The Minister said that they are preparing to start two major projects after the month of Ramadan, and BML financing has been arranged to carry out this work.

Dr. Shaheem said that upon completion of the projects, 12 million rufiyaa will be deposited into the Islamic Waqf Fund every year until 2045, and after 2045, about 70 million rufiyaa will enter the Islamic Fund every year.

There is already a Waqf building in Male’. The building (Darul Iman), constructed during former President Abdullah Yameen’s administration to enrich the Waqf fund, began operations in 2016.

Minister Dr. Shaheem also mentioned that about six million rufiyaa enters the fund annually from this place. He added that this money is being spent on repairing mosques and improving their conditions.