The Maldives Zakat House distributed MVR 6,000 (US$ 389) each to every person on the national registry of the poor and needy from this year's Fitr Zakat collections. It was the highest per-person allocation on record, according to the Islamic ministry. Total collections exceeded a record MVR 14 million. Recipients included 62 orphaned children. Payments were accepted through seven online platforms for the first time.
Sewage leaked from junctions at four FDC flat towers in Hulhumalé for the third time in four weeks, with waste water spreading onto surrounding roads. FDC managing director Hamdan Shakeel blamed residents for flushing nappies, sanitary pads, and construction debris down toilets, saying 28 nappies were removed from the junction during the last cleanup. Residents also flushed PU foam insulation from AC fittings rather than disposing of it properly, he said. The 4,000 flats, built by two Indian contractors, have been occupied for less than six months.
US Special Envoy for South and Central Asia Sergio Gor will visit the Maldives this week as part of a trip to the Indian Ocean region, the State Department announced. The visit will focus on security cooperation, critical infrastructure, and economic ties, and will mark 60 years of US-Maldives diplomatic relations. Gor will also visit Sri Lanka.
MDP Women's Development Committee candidate Fathimath Shiba was hospitalised after a motorcycle collided with her scooter in Hulhumalé on Thursday evening, suffering a broken nose bone and lost teeth. The incident occurred as she was leaving a door-to-door campaign event. MDP said a group deliberately rammed into her. But police spokesman Ahmed Shifan said it was a traffic accident involving two motorcycles, "not a deliberate attack nor hit-and-run," and that the case is under investigation.
Atoll ferry services operating from the Henveiru terminal will be relocated to the Maafannu and Hulhumalé ferry terminals from Monday for the third phase of widening Malé's outer road, MTCC announced. The northern waterfront from the official jetty to the Henveiru terminal will be closed from Saturday. Work is due to progress in stages through to mid-April. MTCC said the entire road project is expected to be completed by April or May. The MVR 144 million project has already widened and asphalted the stretch from the north harbour to the Republic Square.
The Maldives signed an MoU with the Aeronautical Authorities of Australia and the Maldives to advance a Bilateral Air Services Agreement. “Effective today, there are no restrictions for airlines to operate between Australia and the Maldives – opening new opportunities for travel, tourism, and trade,” Transport Minister Ameen said.
A speedboat capsized near Vaavu Fulidhoo around 1:15am on Thursday. Seven people were on board when the vessel overturned, throwing five into the water, three of whom – a Russian woman and two Indian men – were rescued and treated at Vaavu Atoll Hospital, police said. Search efforts were ongoing for two Indian men.
The Islamic ministry signed contracts for Quran centre branches on 11 islands, two new mosques in Gaaf Alif Maamendhoo and Shaviyani Feevah, and an Islamic centre in Baa Eydhafushi. The ministry said more than 90 projects in the Islamic affairs sector are currently under way nationwide.
A soldier involved in efforts to contain Wednesday’s fire at a chemical warehouse in Malé underwent treatment for injuries. Police said the blaze caused extensive damage to the warehouse and its contents, as well as to 13 motorbikes, a pickup, and a company van belonging to Prime Fertilisers. Officers are now processing the scene and a special investigation into the cause of the fire is underway.
A Maldivian man who caused a disturbance on a Batic Air flight to Malé on Thursday night, police said.
The Elections Commission extended the deadline for candidates to sign approval on voter lists by one day. Candidates can sign the lists from 10am until 1pm on Saturday, EC said.
Saldhin Wali Mohmad, a 58-year-old Indian man, was arrested at Gan International Airport for allegedly smuggling 2kg of drugs into the Maldives. Police said he was taken into custody on Tuesday under a court warrant after he was handed over by Customs.
MDP raised concerns over the Elections Commission’s decision not to place any ballot boxes overseas. The party’s campaign spokesperson, Abdulla Waheed, said that because the national referendum will be held alongside local council elections, the lack of ballot boxes in countries with large Maldivian populations such as Sri Lanka, India and Malaysia would deny many people the chance to vote and undermine the fairness of the election. The Elections Commission had said that not enough voters had re-registered in any foreign country to justify setting up ballot boxes overseas.
President Muizzu returned the uninhabited island of Gaaun’doodhoo into the jurisdiction of Raa Hulhudhuffaaru. The island had been removed in 2021 to facilitate its use for industrial activities overseen by the agriculture ministry, according to the President’s Office.
President Muizzu urged the public to uphold Islamic values in all Eid celebrations. In his address on the occasion, Muizzu acknowledged the festivities come at a “deeply distressing” time for the Islamic community, saying that the Maldivian people stand in solidarity with the Muslims of Palestine and the wider Middle East "during their time of profound suffering."
