Shafaa Hameed
Shafaa Hameed is a senior journalist at the Maldives Independent. She first joined the newsroom in 2015 and reported for more than four years until its closure in 2020. Before returning to journalism, she worked as a programme coordinator at the American Center Malé and later with the Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening (CEPPS) and the International Republican Institute (IRI). During her time there, she served as programme officer and later as monitoring, evaluation and learning coordinator, focusing on assessing impact and delivering training under US State Department and USAID-funded initiatives, including the Strong and Inclusive Maldivian Democracy (SIMD) programme. Shafaa rejoined the Maldives Independent in August 2025 following its relaunch.
Tears and pleas: the housing lottery Malé residents can't win
At town halls across the capital, decades of desperation poured out.
07 Jan, 4:08 PM
Stranded students left to fend for themselves abroad
Scholarship and loan recipients describe systemic neglect by higher education ministry.
29 Dec 2025, 4:51 PM
The forever accused: when waiting for trial becomes the punishment
Muizzu vowed to end vaanuvaa. Hundreds remain trapped in legal limbo.
18 Dec 2025, 9:33 PM
Dissecting decentralisation: how island councils are about to change
With more changes to the Decentralisation Act approved, we take a closer look at what is happening to local governance in the atolls.
04 Dec 2025, 5:14 PM
EU mission highlights SOE misuse as key unaddressed electoral concern
4,300 new hires in 2024 contradict government's reform pledge.
18 Nov 2025, 4:44 PM
Fuvahmulah left without water after years of inaction on known leaks
Authorities knew since 2020, but residents were kept uninformed.
12 Nov 2025, 7:55 PM
Different addresses, same desperation: voices from Malé's housing divide
Migrants and natives share their stories of struggle.
10 Nov 2025, 6:46 PM
"Tired of parties": voter turnout drops amid urban-rural enthusiasm gap
Malé turnout trails national average by 13 points as urban centres disengage.
30 Oct 2025, 6:17 PM
"No one is going to empower us": how the Maldives' only four-term councilwoman claimed real power
Fishermen call her for help. Female councilors seek her advice.
28 Oct 2025, 3:22 PM
"We were forced to come out": voices from the MDP protest
Businesses down, living costs up, corruption unchecked.
05 Oct 2025, 5:10 PM
Political divide threatens Maldives' 20-year development blueprint
Consultant concedes MDP boycott will leave US$ 1.1 million plan incomplete.
02 Oct 2025, 3:58 PM
The #AdeebFiles: buried evidence of how the Maldives became a kleptocracy
Corruption is normalised and culturally embedded.
23 Sep 2025, 6:00 PM
New referendum law sets stage for electoral reforms as opposition warns of term extension
Government supporters float prolonging five-year presidential term.
22 Sep 2025, 2:02 PM
"Media control bill" heads for Monday vote after secret committee review
Editors vow defiance despite looming regulatory crackdown.
11 Sep 2025, 7:27 PM
"Throw it out": journalists deliver unified rejection of media regulation bill
Representatives from 22 outlets unanimously opposed "media control bill."
03 Sep 2025, 10:30 PM
Showdown looms as Maldives media mobilises against regulatory overhaul
Bill proposes new commission with power to shut down outlets.
21 Aug 2025, 2:37 PM
One vote, two elections: Maldives weighs democratic trade-offs
Concurrent presidential and parliamentary elections could save MVR 150 million.
12 Aug 2025, 8:20 PM
Maldives parliament decries "misuse" of own data to brand MPs "lazy and inactive"
One UK MP outperforms the entire People's Majlis.
06 Aug 2025, 4:20 PM
Should runners face curfews? Fatal crash divides Malé
A teen's death reignited the road safety debate.
22 Jul 2025, 5:15 PM
Hope for justice: Yameen Rasheed’s murder two years on
The murder blogger’s family has pinned their hopes on a presidential commission.
23 Apr 2019, 9:00 AM
