The Ministry of Construction and Infrastructure has revealed that 52% of the Thilamale Bridge project, which is being built with Indian assistance to connect Male’, Vilimale’, Gulhifalhu, and Thilafushi, has been completed.

According to the ministry, four areas have now been connected under the bridge work. They also stated that $251,563,940.20 has been spent on developing the bridge so far.

The Thilamale Bridge project, the largest infrastructure development project of former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s government, was awarded to India’s Afcons Infrastructure on August 26, 2021.

However, by the end of Solih’s presidency, not even half of the project had been completed.

According to the project information sheet, this 6.7 km long bridge/causeway link will include three navigation bridges of 140 meters between the two islands over the sea. It will also include a 1.45 km marine viaduct in deep lagoons, a 2.32 km marine viaduct in the sea/beach area, and a 2.96 km at-grade road.

The Thilamale Bridge project mainly consists of three bridges:

– Bridge connecting Male’ and Vilimale’
– Bridge connecting Vilimale’ and Gulhifalhu
– Bridge connecting Gulhifalhu and Thilafushi

– A ramp will be built in Vilimale’ for vehicle traffic
– A road will be built in Gulhifalhu for vehicle traffic
– Parts of Vilimale’ and Thilafushi are planned to be reclaimed

The project costs $500 million (7.7 billion rufiyaa), with India providing a loan of $400 million for the bridge project. India also provided a grant of $100 million for the project.

The case regarding the detention of former Immigration Controller Mohamed Shamman Waheed has been appealed to the High Court. Shamman was dismissed from his position as Immigration Controller on March 21. He was arrested when summoned to the police the following night. The Criminal Court had granted a 15-day detention period for him. According to the High Court registry, the appeal of Shamman’s detention case was submitted to the High Court yesterday.

Shamman was arrested under a court order for investigation into allegations of obtaining money from a foreigner who was released after being taken to the Immigration Detention Center. In a statement, the police said that employees working in sections other than the Immigration Task Force and Risk Management Section had misused their official influence to search a house where foreigners were living.

The statement also mentioned that foreigners were taken into Immigration custody with a large amount of money. Furthermore, the police stated that a day later, on the orders of the former Controller Shamman, a foreigner who was taken into detention with 530,000 rufiyaa was released from custody late at night. Additionally, the police said that an Immigration employee who actively participated in searching the house where these foreigners were arrested met the released foreigner on the street, obtained the money he had, and entered the building where Shamman was residing with that money.

In connection with this case, five individuals were stopped, searched, and electronic equipment was seized from them under a court order. The police also said that a large amount of money and electronic equipment were taken into police custody from Shamman’s residence. Additional suspects in the case were also arrested.

Fenaka Corporation has stated that work is ongoing to install the engine brought from India to resolve the power outage issue in Addu City.

Fenaka said that the vessel carrying the new 1.8 megawatt engine brought from India to increase the generation capacity of Addu Central Power Station has docked in Addu.

They also mentioned that the work of unloading and transporting it to the Central Power Station is in progress, and the technical team is working to install the engine and start service within 48 hours.

Fenaka has expressed gratitude for the patience and exemplary behavior shown by the people of Addu City despite the numerous hardships caused by power outages, and for the continuous efforts made by the company to resolve the issues.

In addition to this engine, a 1,000 kW engine was sent to Addu on the 11th of this month. Although this engine was sent, Fenaka has stated that they are continuing to work on solving the problem that causes power outages as the electricity issue in Addu has not been completely resolved.

Fenaka has noted that the electricity problem in Addu is a result of negligence that has persisted over a long period.

Islamic Minister Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed has stated that a strong generation that will carry Islamic guidance and the Holy Quran into the future must be built, and that the government is working towards this goal.

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

The Minister said that holding a ceremony for the first time to award certificates to Hafiz opens a new honorable page in the Islamic civilization of the Maldives. He also stated that the blessing of memorizing the Quran, serving it, and carrying it is an honor given by Allah to those He chooses and selects.

“Today, the world is in need of the Holy Quran. To bring the world from the darkness of modern ignorance into the light of Islamic guidance, humanity needs the Quran more than ever before, both socially and for cultivating good morals. This needs to be revived and nurtured,” the Minister said.

The Minister stated that the page being written in Maldivian history is valuable pages that will be passed on to future generations.

The Minister said that previously, certificates were given to Hafiz who memorized the Holy Quran through the National Quran Competition, which was done due to the small number of graduating students at that time.

However, he noted that things have changed now, and the government has decided to hold a special ceremony to award certificates to Hafiz.

Dr. Shaheem said the goal is to conduct the ceremony annually with 100 Hafiz graduating.

The Minister appealed to wealthy individuals to spend on such Islamic causes.

Speaking about the gowns and caps of the Hafiz, the Minister said they were designed based on the Islamic patterns in the Friday Mosque.

The Minister said that the graduating students will own the gowns and caps, and they will have the opportunity to use them in other future ceremonies as well.

The first graduation ceremony for those who have memorized the Holy Quran has been celebrated, with certificates being awarded.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu presented the certificates to the graduating Hafiz. This marks the first ceremony held in the Maldives to celebrate the graduation of those who have memorized the Holy Quran.

Organized by the Quran Center, the ceremony took place tonight at the Islamic Center’s conference hall, where the President handed over the Hafiz certificates to the graduates. A total of 24 Hafiz received their graduation certificates from the President during this ceremony.

Due to the special attention given to religious matters by this government, the practical work of teaching the Holy Quran has expanded more than before. As such, following the decision to conduct Quran classes in every inhabited island, free classes are currently being conducted in 10 mosques across different regions of the Maldives.

Furthermore, to restart the branches of the Quran Center that had been suspended for various reasons, efforts to find teachers have resulted in bringing teachers from abroad for 6 islands. Additionally, new centers of the National Quran Center have been established in 7 islands.

Moreover, Quran teaching has been further expanded in Hulhumalé, and a center of the National Quran Center has been opened in Vilimalé to begin teaching.

As part of the government’s special emphasis on producing Hafiz, 630 students are currently studying, and the President has decided to double the financial benefits given by the government to those memorizing the Holy Quran. The government has also designated the Hafiz certificate as an advanced level certificate.

Justice Hussain Shahid of Baazee, S. Hithadhoo, has been appointed to the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) from among the Supreme Court Justices.

Shahid was appointed as a Supreme Court Justice six days ago.

A vacancy for a Supreme Court Justice position arose when Husnu Al Suood resigned. When the position was first advertised, only former Deputy Prosecutor General Mariyam Nihayath applied. Subsequently, the JSC advertised for a second time. On that occasion, High Court Chief Justice Shahid and lawyer Rusdullah Ibrahim applied.

Shahid completed his higher education in Sharia and Law from Al-Azhar University in Egypt and Kulliyyah Ad-Dirasaat Al-Islamiyyah, followed by a Master of Islamic Judicial Science and Sharia Policy from the Islamic University of Maldives. Prior to his appointment as a High Court Judge, Shahid had served as a Judge at the Criminal Court and as a Magistrate in Feydhoo.

Shahid was appointed as a High Court Judge on July 24, 2018, having previously served as a Judge at the Criminal Court and as a Magistrate in Feydhoo. He was appointed as the Chief Justice of the High Court on October 26, 2023.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has expressed confidence that the relationship between Bangladesh and the Maldives will continue to grow.

On the occasion of Bangladesh’s 54th Independence Day, President Dr. Muizzu has extended congratulations to the President of Bangladesh, Muhammad Shahabuddin, the Chief Advisor of the Caretaker Government, Dr. Muhammad Yunus, and to the government and people of Bangladesh.

In separate letters sent to both officials, the President stated that the close and respectful relationship between the Maldives and Bangladesh is strengthened by the shared beliefs of both countries in maintaining regional peace and enhancing people-to-people connections. He expressed confidence that this relationship will continue to grow in a manner that benefits both countries, as they continue to cooperate and work together in various fields.

Bangladesh gained its independence on March 26, 1971.

Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has stated that the inhumane acts occurring in Gaza, Palestine, are something that must always be condemned as Muslims.

Maumoon made these remarks while speaking at the third session of the “Silsila Ihya” program, organized by the Maumoon Foundation to commemorate the nights of Ramadan. In his speech last night, he addressed the topic of “Answerable Prayers.”

Maumoon said that Allah has commanded us to pray and that those who are too arrogant to pray and worship will enter Hell in a state of humiliation. He stated that prayer is the essence of worship and the most important part of worship. He noted that even when looking at prayer (salah), it mostly consists of supplications, and a large part of the Quran is also supplication. President Maumoon said that prayers are answered when we respond to Allah.

Furthermore, Maumoon mentioned that the inhumane acts taking place in Gaza are visible to everyone in the world, but there seems to be no effort to stop them. However, he acknowledged that various efforts are being made to provide aid to those people. He also emphasized that such acts must be condemned as Muslims.

In his speech, Maumoon also highlighted the importance of the last ten days of Ramadan. He said that everyone should strive to spend the last ten days and nights of Ramadan in a good way. He emphasized the need to increase prayers, fasting, and other good deeds, and to work towards spreading unity and solidarity among everyone.

Adam Naseer Ibrahim, the Minister of Maldivian Language, Culture, and Heritage, has stated that it is important to have people capable of establishing and managing their own museums or local heritage centers in every island of the Maldives. He also mentioned that special training programs in this field will be conducted in the future.

Speaking at the signing ceremony of the agreement for the development of the Ha. Kelaa Local Heritage Center, Minister Adam Naseer Ibrahim said that scientific training programs to provide the capability of establishing and managing local museums throughout the Maldives will begin this year. The Minister highlighted the need to generalize the technical and scientific capability of designing and maintaining museums throughout the country, in line with the concepts of Maldivian National Identity initiated by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, to realize the goal of building local museums included in the Ministry’s Strategic Action Plan.

The Minister noted that opportunities have been created to start practical work on providing these trainings through consultations with various ambassadors and relevant authorities from different countries. He mentioned that some ministry officials completed training in related fields last year, and opportunities for training are available this year as well.

Accordingly, two employees from this ministry are scheduled to depart for China on April 17 to pursue relevant training. The Minister stated that after completing these traind that after completing these trainings, scientific training courses will be launched throughout the Maldives within the next three months.

Speaking further at this ceremony, the Minister said that in addition to this work, as per the Ministry’s Strategic Action Plan and under President Dr. Muizzu’s National Heritage Restoration Project, efforts will be made to develop the capability to introduce various types of heritage centers at individual, community, and island levels in every island.

The Maldives has condemned Israel’s measures to expel Palestinians from Gaza and increase Jewish settlements in the West Bank. In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Maldives condemned the Israeli government’s announcement to establish an agency aimed at forcibly removing Palestinians from Gaza. The Maldivian government also strongly condemned plans to separate areas containing 13 illegal settlements in the West Bank and prepare to give these settlements legal status.

The Foreign Ministry stated that such actions to remove Palestinians from their land are completely contrary to international law and UN resolutions, especially UN Security Council Resolution 2334. The ministry also noted that such actions are obstacles to peace efforts and endanger the rights and dignity of the Palestinian people. The statement reiterated the Maldives’ position that a sustainable, peaceful solution to this conflict can only be achieved by establishing Palestine as a free, independent, and sovereign state based on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Israel has resumed its inhumane massacre aimed at the genocide of Muslims in Gaza, Palestine, and continues to launch terrorist attacks on various parts of the city. With the resumption of Israel’s inhumane aggression, the agreement to pause the exchange of attacks has come to an end.