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.
"We were forced to come out": voices from the MDP protest
Businesses down, living costs up, corruption unchecked.
05 Oct 2025, 17:10
Political divide threatens Maldives' 20-year development blueprint
Consultant concedes MDP boycott will leave US$ 1.1 million plan incomplete.
02 Oct 2025, 15:58
The #AdeebFiles: buried evidence of how the Maldives became a kleptocracy
Corruption is normalised and culturally embedded.
23 Sep 2025, 18:00
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, 14:02
"Media control bill" heads for Monday vote after secret committee review
Editors vow defiance despite looming regulatory crackdown.
11 Sep 2025, 19:27
"Throw it out": journalists deliver unified rejection of media regulation bill
Representatives from 22 outlets unanimously opposed "media control bill."
03 Sep 2025, 22:30
Showdown looms as Maldives media mobilises against regulatory overhaul
Bill proposes new commission with power to shut down outlets.
21 Aug 2025, 14:37
One vote, two elections: Maldives weighs democratic trade-offs
Concurrent presidential and parliamentary elections could save MVR 150 million.
12 Aug 2025, 20:20
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, 16:20
Should runners face curfews? Fatal crash divides Malé
A teen's death reignited the road safety debate.
22 Jul 2025, 17:15
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, 09:00
Trial begins for Rilwan abduction suspects
The family of the third suspect, Mohamed Suaid, informed the court in response to a summons that he was dead, Judge Adam Arif said.
20 Sep 2017, 09:00
Adhaalath leader transferred to high security prison
Sheikh Imran Abdulla was transferred from a police remand center to a high security prison on Thursday, prompting fears the government has reversed its conciliatory stance on making concessions for jailed politicians.
25 Jul 2015, 08:30
Only one head of state to attend Maldives independence celebrations
While President Sirisena had accepted President Abdulla Yameen’s invitation, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was unable to attend “because of certain events in his country.” An invitation for India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi is still open, foreign minister said.
23 Jul 2015, 17:49
Jailed ex-defense minister brought to Malé for medical treatment
Rumors swirled in Malé that the retired colonel’s 11 year jail-term may be commuted to house arrest, as part of ongoing negotiations between the opposition and the government. But a family member said Nazim was taken back to the low-security ‘Asseyri’ jail in Himmafaushi about an hour after his doctor’s consultation.
23 Jul 2015, 13:00
Council ‘defied’ court order to change un-Islamic Eid banner
The Villigili magistrate court ordered the island’s council to change the phrasing on banners put up on behalf of ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) Saud Hussain, which read, “MP Saud’s Eid Happiness.”
19 Jul 2015, 17:00
Victim’s family welcomes Interpol red notice for murder suspect
The family of murder victim Ahmed Jailam Shakir has welcomed an Interpol red notice issued to locate a suspect and a High Court order for the criminal court to accept the case.
16 Jul 2015, 13:30
UN rights team calls on ex president
A team from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) met on Tuesday with former president Mohamed Nasheed at his residence, where he remains under house arrest over a terrorism conviction.
15 Jul 2015, 13:00
Indian arrested on child abuse charges, MP seeks publication of sex offenders registry
Opposition Jumhooree Party MP Abdulla Riyaz has meanwhile asked the parliament’s government oversight to investigate the failure to publicise a mandatory national registry of child sex offenders.
14 Jul 2015, 16:49
Elderly man found in Malé lagoon “died of natural causes”
A 71-year-old man identified as Mohamed Jaleel from Galolhu Hemlock was found dead floating in the lagoon in Malé’s northern waterfront last night. The police said the elderly man appears to have died of natural causes.
13 Jul 2015, 16:03
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