Police said today that 49,000 cigarette packs were seized during an operation to search an office operating inside a house in Henveiru in January, where cigarettes were being produced. They also said that a letter has been sent to dispose of these items. The search was conducted on the night of January 30 under a court order, following information received about cigarette production inside a private office on the ground floor of H. Hulhugalige.
That night, police took away boxes from inside the house. Police said today that a letter has been sent to the Ministry of Health to decide on the disposal of the cigarettes seized in this case. Police also said that a letter has been sent to the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade to decide on the business of Radius, which is suspected in this case.
Ibrahim Falah, the PG leader of the ruling PNC party and member for Inguraidhoo constituency, said today that changing members in parliamentary committees is always happening. Falah made this statement during today’s parliamentary session, at a time when some parties have been criticizing the changes made to committees. As such, the Speaker of Parliament has appointed Ahmed Aifan, member for Henveiru North constituency, to the Public Finance Committee in place of Ahmed Azaan, member for Hithadhoo Central constituency. And Mohamed Ismail, member for Vilimale’ constituency, has been appointed to the 241 Committee in place of Azaan.
Azaan has been moved from these two committees to the Privileges and Ethics Committee and the Petition Committee. In a post on “X”, Falah said that changing members from one committee to another in parliamentary committees is always happening in parliamentary groups, and that such changes are made based on factors such as the number of PG group members, the number of committees, the importance members give to committee attendance, and the attention given to committee work. He said this has been common practice in the 17th, 18th, and 19th parliaments as well.
Therefore, such changes have been made in the 20th parliament as well, and changes needed for committees at any given time will continue to be made in the future, Falah said.
Many PNC members in parliament had previously called for Azaan to be removed from two powerful committees in parliament and transferred to two other committees. There have been differences of opinion between Azaan and PNC members for some time. This action was taken against Azaan after he began speaking out against the bill to amend the law on courts in the Maldives, which would reduce the Supreme Court bench from seven to five and require the dismissal of two judges. Azaan had abstained from two votes related to the bill, violating the three-line whip.
Many people took notice when Azaan left the parliament floor when the vote was called to pass the bill. PNC member for Hoarafushi constituency, Abdussattar Mohamed, passed the bill to amend the law on courts through a roll call vote in parliament. The bill passed with a majority of 68 members who participated in the voting. Nine members voted against passing the bill.
State Electric Company Limited (STELCO) has announced today that they will begin installing smart meters in households after the end of Ramadan. In an interview with the state media, Public Service Media (PSM), STELCO’s General Manager Ibrahim Nashid said that under this project, they have decided to first install smart meters in Hulhumale.
“We are starting this project from Hulhumale. After that, we will introduce this service to Male and Vilimale as well. This is a very important step towards further modernizing the electricity service,” Nashid said. Smart meters will allow customers to check their electricity usage every 15 minutes. This will enable customers to monitor their electricity consumption and find ways to reduce costs.
As part of the work to modernize the electricity service, STELCO also carried out a pilot project related to smart meters last year. Based on the results of that project, they are now preparing to officially introduce smart meters. Environment Minister Thoriq Ibrahim said last year that smart electricity meters will be introduced to all islands within three years.
STELCO further stated that the work of installing smart meters will be carried out in a way that does not inconvenience households.
The government has revealed that this Ramadan will be the month with the highest number of young Maldivian Hafiz (those who have memorized the entire Quran) leading prayers so far. Speaking on the TVM program “Preparing for Ramadan,” the government stated that they are doing many special things for Ramadan, and as a result, this year will see the highest number of young Maldivians leading prayers.
“This year is becoming the Ramadan month where the highest number of young Maldivian Hafiz lead prayers and Taraweeh,” the government said. They mentioned that President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu gives high priority to religious matters, and especially creating young Hafiz is a goal of this government. Highlighting the efforts made by the government to ease things for the people, Minister of Economic Development Mohamed Saeed said that the government is providing canned fish cases as promised to the people and that prices of goods have been controlled. The Minister also said that the government has arranged for uninterrupted supply of food and essential items needed by the people during this Ramadan.
The Ministry of Islamic Affairs has announced that Sheikh Al-Hafiz Salman Mohamed Lateef, Al-Hafiz Uvais bin Inaz, Al-Hafiz Khidr bin Imad, and Sheikh Al-Hafiz Sultan Mohamed Lateef will lead Taraweeh prayers at the Islamic Center this Ramadan. The Ministry said that Sultan Mohamed Lateef will join for the last ten days. Additionally, Sheikh Al-Hafiz Salman Mohamed Lateef and Sheikh Al-Hafiz Sultan Mohamed Lateef will lead the Qiyam (night) prayers during the last ten days.
Among them, Uvais memorized the Quran at the age of 16 and will turn 17 this year. Khidr memorized the Quran at the age of 10 and will turn 18 this year.
The Maldives Zakat House has announced that they will be accepting Fitrah Zakat online. During the month of Ramadan, Zakat can be paid online and at the counter of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs. Online Zakat collection is scheduled from today until the 27th of this month. Through Bandeyri Pay, Zakat can be paid until the last day of Ramadan.
Zakat will be accepted online through:
– Dhiraagu mobile app and Dhiraagu Pay – Ooredoo’s m-Faisaa mobile application – Maldives Islamic Bank’s Faisaa mobile application – Bank of Maldives website portal – FahiPay mobile application – Ministry of Finance’s Bandeyri Pay
The Zakat House has stated that Zakat can be paid through Bandeyri Pay until the last day of Ramadan. For those unfamiliar with online Zakat payment, arrangements have been made to pay Zakat at the Ministry hall. The Ministry counter will accept Zakat from March 2nd to 20th on official working days from 09:30 to 13:30. And from March 23rd to 30th, every day except Friday and Saturday from 11:00 to 14:00.
The amount of Fitrah Zakat to be paid is:
– 12 rufiyaa for ordinary rice – 62 rufiyaa for Thai white rice – 86 rufiyaa for red rice – 74 rufiyaa for ordinary Basmati rice – 100 rufiyaa for good quality Basmati rice – 133 rufiyaa for best quality Basmati rice – 10 rufiyaa for ordinary flour – 75 rufiyaa for Atta flour
Fitrah Zakat is an obligatory pillar of Islam for every Muslim. Fitrah Zakat should be paid from the type of grain commonly consumed by the person. The amount is one Sa’a or the amount that can be held in two handfuls.
With the publication of the list of recipients for flats under the Gedhoruveriya (Homeowner) Scheme, the opportunity to submit complaints regarding the list has been opened. The list of 4,000 flats was released last Thursday.
The Ministry of Housing has opened a one-month window starting today for submitting complaints about the flat list. The Ministry stated that if someone has submitted a form, they can submit complaints related to their form through the Gedhoruveriya portal. For complaints about individuals on the list, emails can be sent to [email protected] or letters can be addressed to the Ministry.
In a press conference held at the President’s Office, Minister Dr. Abdullah Muttalib said that the flat list verification process considered the documents submitted by individuals and information in the government database. He added that the points were awarded based on the information provided by each person, and with the release of this list, the process of handing over flats to those without any issues will begin.
Looking at the list released after verifying everything, out of 3,721 applicants for three-bedroom flats, 1,423 individuals who met the criteria scored above 75 points. For two-bedroom flats, out of 1,218 applicants, 397 individuals who met the criteria scored above 73 points.
Therefore, out of a total of 4,939 forms checked, 1,820 individuals have been determined to receive flats.
In last night’s match between Club Eagles and Maziya Sports and Recreation in the FAM Under-19 “Youth League 2025”, Maziya’s victory has led them to win the Youth League after 14 years. The match, played at Galolhu Stadium, was won by Maziya with a score of 6-1. Eagles took the lead in the 5th minute of the match through Ashham Ibrahim. Eagles’ captain Shamhaan dribbled through Maziya’s defenders and calmly placed the ball in the bottom corner of the goal to score the first goal of the match.
At the end of the first half, both teams’ performances were very even. Just 5 minutes into the second half, Maziya equalized through a header from their captain Eedaan Ahmed Moosa. In the 65th minute, Abdullah Anoof gave Maziya the lead.
Anoof also scored Maziya’s third goal. In the 86th minute, Naassah Ibrahim further extended Maziya’s lead by scoring their fourth goal. As the match was about to end, Ilaan Imran scored Maziya’s fifth and sixth goals. With these two goals, he has secured the position of the tournament’s top scorer.
Abdullah Anoof from Maziya was chosen as the best player of the final match. Maziya won this tournament without losing any matches, winning all of them. It’s also noted that Maziya scored the most goals in the tournament while also having the best defense.
Ibrahim Saeed (Kaka) from Maziya was chosen as the best coach of the entire tournament. And with 9 goals, Maziya’s Ilaan has won the tournament’s Golden Boot. Odi Sports Club was chosen as the Fair Play team.
The tournament’s best eleven players (Dream Team) have also been selected:
[List of 11 players and their teams]
This is the second time in Youth League history that Maziya has won the tournament. Previously, Maziya won the tournament in 2011, which was the year the Youth League was introduced.
Within 16 hours of the Male’ City Council officially handing over “Olu Hiyaa”, a facility established specifically for stray cats in the Male’ area, to the government, the necessary resources have been set up and cats have started being transferred there. The cat facility, which was opened in Hulhumale’ Phase 2 as part of the government’s “14 Weeks” pledges, was officially handed over to the Ministry yesterday.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Welfare stated that within 24 hours of officially taking over the Olu Hiyaa facility, they have completed setting up the necessary resources and begun providing protection for the cats.
“Within just 16 hours of 16 hours of taking over the Olu Hiyaa facility, our team has established the resources needed for the new quarantine area and completed all arrangements. So far, 15 cats have been brought to the facility,” the Ministry said.
The Ministry stated that this was achieved through the continuous work of the Ministry’s task force and the tireless efforts of NGOs who cooperated with great enthusiasm. “Olu Hiyaa” is a modern facility developed on the government’s initiative to find a permanent solution to the increasing problem of stray cats on the streets of Male’. The objectives of this project include implementing robust pet care regulations and guidelines in the Maldives.
This project is one that President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu had been working to implement since his time as the Mayor of Male’ City. However, he has noted that the project could not move forward at that time due to lack of cooperation from the government of the day. To make the Olu Hiyaa project a reality, special attention was given to this work, and for the first time in the Maldives, a Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Welfare was established under this government to safely manage such living creatures in the country.
Hussein Fiyaz Moosa, the CEO of “Adhadhu” newspaper, has been included in the list of people receiving flats under the “Gedhoruverin” scheme. From the 4,000 flats that were started during former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s administration, 1,820 people have been determined to meet the criteria after reviewing the previously announced list. Of these, 1,423 people qualify for three-bedroom flats, while 397 people qualify for two-bedroom flats. Fiyaz is among those who will receive a flat.
Fiyaz’s “Adhadhu” newspaper is known for being critical of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s government and frequently criticizes the administration. Fiyaz himself is known for making harsh criticisms against President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu on social media. The flat list has determined that 2,695 people’s applications did not meet the criteria. Additionally, 424 people have been removed from the list of flat recipients due to changes in their points. The list includes explanations for why certain applicants did not meet the criteria.
Opposition parties claim that the current government has made significant changes to the flat list released by the previous administration and has given flats to people favored by the government. However, government supporters argue that people like Fiyaz receiving flats is strong evidence that the current government has not influenced the flat list. President Dr. Muizzu stated last night that there would not be even a slight influence in releasing the list of flat recipients under the “Gedhoruverin” scheme and that this is the most fair list released so far.
Fiyaz was previously a prominent journalist. He began his journalism career in 2000 with “Miadhu” newspaper. He later worked for “Aafathis” and “Haveeru” newspapers. Fiyaz gained the most prominence at Raajje TV. During Solih’s administration, Fiyaz also served as the Information Commissioner.
Housing Minister Abdullah Muthtalib has said that only 1,820 people qualified for the 4,000 flats to be distributed by the government under the “Gedhoruveryaa” (Homeowner) scheme. Speaking at a press conference held at the President’s Office today, Muthtalib said that 3,721 applicants scored above 75 points on the list for three-bedroom flats under the Gedhoruveryaa scheme. He said 2,759 three-bedroom flats are being built.
Muthtalib said that on the announced two-bedroom list, those who scored 73 points or above would receive flats, and 1,218 applicants who scored 73 points or above are included in the list. He said that under the current 4000 flats project, 1,250 two-bedroom flats are being built. Therefore, Muthtalib said that a total of 4,939 applicants were included in the list that underwent verification.
Muthtalib said that during the verification process, no forms of applicants who did not score 65 points from the three-bedroom list announced on November 15, 2023, were checked, and no forms of applicants who did not score 73 points from the two-bedroom list were checked.
