Saudi Arabia
Police crack down as Faafu protesters demand answers over Saudi-funded project
“What we are saying is we are worried. Half or two-third of our atoll may be sold and people don’t know what’s happening. Is it being sold, is it already sold, is it being leased? Give us that information,” a fishing boat captain involved in organising the protest on Biledhdhoo said.
03 Mar 2017, 9:00 AM
MDP meeting hall raided over protests planned for Saudi king’s visit
Police officers have also been searching boats in Faafu atoll. A ferry called Endheri was searched in the early hours of Thursday morning and police officers have also been cutting open boxes of goods being brought in by local businesses.
02 Mar 2017, 9:00 AM
No cause for concern over ‘US$10bn Faafu atoll project,’ insists Yameen
The Faafu project will be similar to “mixed development projects in French Riviera” with “international sea sports, mixed development, residential high-class development, many tourist resorts, many airports,” Yameen said.
01 Mar 2017, 9:00 AM
First they came for Faafu
Is the opposition to the imminent Saudi-funded “mega project” in Faafu atoll principled, strong and united enough? asks Azra Naseem.
26 Feb 2017, 9:00 AM
Government tight-lipped amid growing clamour to reveal Saudi project for Faafu atoll
Speculation of the imminent sale of Faafu atoll to the Saudi royal family intensified this week when the media learned of the Saudi King’s upcoming official visit to the Maldives, prompting concerns over the scope for corruption, threats to sovereignty, and potential damage to the environment.
23 Feb 2017, 9:00 AM
President’s announcement revives rumours about the sale of Maldives atoll to Saudi Arabia
The president described the project as a township or an integrated development project involving various industries and open to travellers from all over the world.
29 Jan 2017, 9:00 AM
Yameen meets top Saudi officials to discuss development assistance
During official talks, King Salman bin Abdul Aziz accepted an invitation to visit the Maldives at a mutually convenient date. Yameen also met with the Saudi foreign minister, education minister, Islamic affairs minister, and the chairman of the Saudi Fund for Development.
05 Oct 2016, 9:00 AM
President arrives in Saudi Arabia on second official visit
Yameen will discuss boosting ties in trade and infrastructure development in a meeting with King Salman, the president’s office said.
04 Oct 2016, 9:00 AM
Saudis defend Maldives first lady over date controversy
The embassy of Saudi Arabia in Malé has spoken out in defence of the first lady of the Maldives, who has been accused of corruption when it emerged that an NGO she founded was distributing dates gifted by the kingdom in its name.
15 Jun 2016, 9:00 AM
Saudi Binladin Group awarded Maldives airport terminal project
A massive project to construct a new passenger terminal at the Ibrahim Nasir International Airport has been awarded to the Saudi Binladin Group for an undisclosed amount.
22 May 2016, 9:00 AM
Severing ties with Iran risks Indian Ocean stability, says opposition
The Maldives opposition has slammed the government’s decision to sever its 40-year-old diplomatic ties with Iran as “irrational adventurism” that may destabilise the Indian Ocean.
18 May 2016, 9:00 AM
Maldives severs diplomatic ties with Iran
The foreign ministry said Iran pursues policies that are “detrimental to peace and security in the region which in many ways, is also linked to stability, peace and security of the Maldives.”
17 May 2016, 9:00 AM
Saudi Arabia pledges US$50m for military housing project
Saudi Arabia pledged to provide US$50 million for a military housing project during an official visit to the kingdom this week by Defence Minister Adam Shareef Umar.
14 Mar 2016, 9:00 AM
Saudi Arabian NGO begins workshop for Maldives Imams
The six day workshop, led by the Muslim World League, aims to address contentious religious and teach participants how to interpret the Quran. Sessions on Islamic culture will also be held.
09 Jan 2016, 9:00 AM
Maldives parliament to form joint committees with Saudi Arabia’s Shura Council
The Maldivian parliament and Saudi Arabia’s Shura Council have agreed to form “integrated joint committees” to work together on issues of mutual interest such as the threat of terrorism. The decision was revealed during an ongoing visit by Shura Council Speaker Dr Abdulla bin Mohamed bin Ibrahim Al-Sheikh.
05 Jan 2016, 9:00 AM
Maldives joins Saudi-led anti-terrorism military alliance
Announcing the new coalition at a press conference last night, Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman, also the kingdom’s defence minister, said the campaign would “coordinate” efforts to fight terrorism in Iraq, Syria, Libya, Egypt, and Afghanistan. “Every country will be participating according to its capabilities and we will not only fight [the Islamic State], but any terrorist group,” he said.
15 Dec 2015, 9:00 AM
Maldives in South Asia: Let’s talk about Saudis
“There is a little bit of each other in all South Asian countries but, somewhere along the way, Maldives has been somehow set apart and aside from its neighbours. Their cultural story is not among the threads with which the common South Asian identity is commonly woven today,” writes Dr Azra Naseem.
03 Dec 2015, 9:00 AM
Maldives to partner with Saudi Arabia and China on mega projects
President Abdulla Yameen is looking to Saudi Arabia and China for investment amidst persisting criticism of his human rights record by western powers.
01 Dec 2015, 9:00 AM
Saudi Arabia to help maintain Maldives religious unity
Saudi Arabia and the Maldives signed an MOU today to enhance ties in Islamic affairs, including maintaining religious unity, and training Imams and religious scholars.
19 Nov 2015, 9:00 AM
Saudi experts found trace of explosives on president’s speedboat
Forensic experts from Saudi Arabia found trace of a powerful explosive on President Abdulla Yameen’s speedboat, the national inquiry commission has said in a press statement tonight.
30 Oct 2015, 9:00 AM
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