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[Sosal @sosalmv]

The National Hotels and Guesthouses Association has expressed its opposition to the proposed 'blanket ban' on Israeli passport holders entering the Maldives.

During a meeting with Parliament’s National Security Services Committee to discuss an amendment to the Immigration Act, the association warned that such a ban could harm the guesthouse sector and the broader tourism industry. It highlighted potential negative impacts on the Maldives, as many international tourism platforms and agencies have Jewish stakeholders or clients.

Instead, the association suggested restricting entry for Israeli leaders rather than imposing a blanket ban on all Israeli passport holders.

The Maldives Association of Travel and Tour Operators (MATATO) also presented its stance to the committee. MATATO President Abdulla Gias Riaz emphasized the importance of targeting the Israeli government and its leaders, rather than ordinary citizens. He added that the impact on dual passport holders and broader consequences should be carefully considered before making a final decision.

[Sosal @sosalmv]

This is a pioneering public servant, and a man of integrity. Today, let us celebrate the public service of Fuwad Thowfeek, who recently completed his second term at the Elections Commission of Maldives.

Fuwad is a statistician who began his public service at the Ministry of National Planning and Development. He was involved in leading the operations of the national censuses of 1977, 1985, 1990, 2000 and 2006, and also led various national-level surveys and contributed to the government's statistical publications from 1977 to 1992, and from 2000 to 2006.

In between 1992 and 1999, Fuwad was at the SAARC Secretariat in Kathmandu, serving as a Computer Programmer. Fuwad was one of the first three Maldivian individuals who received training to use computers. In 1983, the Maldives' very first computer was set up with the help of UNDP, and was used for census data processing.

Most of us know Fuwad for his service at the Elections Commission. As a member of the Elections Commission and the Interim Commission that preceded it, Fuwad has overseen all national elections and referendums that took place from September 2008 to March 2014, and from November 2019 until November 2024.

The most challenging time for Fuwad at the Elections Commission was the volatile political environment toward the 2013 Presidential Elections and the Supreme Court's annulment of the first voting round, resulting in a redo of the vote.

Months later in March 2014, the Supreme Court handed the Commissioners at the EC, including Fuwad Thowfeek, a six-month jail sentence (suspended for three years) for contempt of court, for "disrespecting" an election guideline issued by the Supreme Court. After this sentence, Fuwad lived in exile in Colombo until 2019. Upon return to the Maldives in 2019, Fuwad ran for the People's Majlis as an independent. However, he ws unsuccessful this time. He would be nominated and appointed for his second term as a Commissioner at the EC later that year.

Here is Fuwad's service:

♦ Member of [Interim] Commission (Sept 2008 - Sept 2009)
♦ Chair of [Interim] Commission (Sept 2009 - Nov 2009)
♦ Member and Chair of Commission (Nov 2009 - March 2014)
♦ Member of Commission (Nov 2019 - Sept 2021)
♦ Chair of Commission (Sept 2021 - Nov 2024)

As Fuwad completed his second (and final term) at the Elections Commission on Saturday, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu nominated him to be the next Ambassador of Maldives to the Kingdom of Thailand. His nomination is likely to be approved soon.

[Sosal @sosalmv]

Yesterday, the International Criminal Court has issued warrants to arrest Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

The International Criminal Court is an international organization and tribunal set under the Rome Statute, to which some 120 sovereign states are signatory to. The efficacy of the instruments of international law such as treaties, covenants, and conventions depends on the willingness of states to abide by and enforce them.

Therefore, many states have swiftly announced their intention of cooperation with the ICC's court orders. Western nations such as Canada, Italy, Türkiye, the Netherlands, and Belgium followed suit, while the European Union's High Representative for foreign policy reminded EU's 27 members of their obligation to enforce the ICC's orders and rulings.

The Maldives, announced its support of the ICC arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant. Last night, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu welcomed the decision, describing the issue of warrants as a crucial step toward ensuring accountability for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

"The Maldives respects the decisions of the ICC and underscores the importance of honoring and implementing the Court's rulings. Upholding international law and ensuring justice for the Palestinian people is essential to restoring peace in the region," said Pres Muizzu.

[Sosal @sosalmv]

The Maldivian Parliament has voted against a resolution calling for the expedited approval of a bill to ban Israeli passport holders.

The bill has been stalled for the past four months.

Since October 2023, over 43,391 deaths and 102,347 injuries have been reported in Gaza, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

[Sosal @sosalmv]

The government had been postponing the release of the Gedhoruveriyaa flats recipients list, only to postpone the release on Saturday indefinitely. Angered citizens entered the Ministry of Housing, creating a tense situation yesterday. President Muizzu says the re-evaluation takes time because much information is being verified.

[Sosal @sosalmv]

As President Muizzu’s government turned one year yesterday, his predecessor, President Ibu Solih, told RaajjeTV that hopelessness and aimlessness are the only visible features of the administration. President Ibu went on to criticize various aspects of Muizzu’s government.

[Sosal @sosalmv]

Last night, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu vowed his party’s majority in parliament would not vote to accept the proposed legislation to control the media in the country. The proposed bill was handed into parliament by Thulhaadhoo MP Abdul Hannan Abubakuru, an Independent. The Maldives Journalists Association has been strongly lobbying with the government and other relevant parties against this bill in the last few days.

[Sosal @sosalmv]

At a rally last night to celebrate one year in office, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu defended his monetary policy and new USD regulations mandating resorts/hotels to deposit USD 500 per tourist to local banks. Firmly, the President said the regulation would not be changed and that stakeholders would have to comply.

[Sosal @sosalmv]

Dharumavantha Hospital was inaugurated yesterday with some new;y established services. The hospital has established a National Fertility Center, an emergency room for children, and a hybrid cath lab.

[Sosal @sosalmv]

Maldives’ first Miss Universe, Mariyam Shaina Naseem stunned the world at the preliminary competition yesterday. Shaina donned the graceful Red Libaas with a Kasabu Boavalhu. The final Miss Universe competition will take place tomorrow.

[Sosal @sosalmv]

Sri Lanka’s ruling National People’s Power (NPP) alliance has won a whopping 2/3 majority in the snap elections on Thursday. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s NPP won 159 seats, while the main opposition SJB alliance, led by Sajith Premadasa, won just 40. President Dissanayake thanked the people of Sri Lanka for voting “for a renaissance”.

[Sosal @sosalmv]

Last night, the President inaugurated Dharumavantha Hospital as a separate entity and tertiary-level hospital under the Malé Group of Hospitals. Constructuion of Dharumavantha Hospital when President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu was housing Minister. The hospital construction finished in 2019. But President Solih’s government used the hospital as an extension of IGMH.

[Sosal @sosalmv]

Last night, opposition MDP held a public rally after a long hiatus. Speakers from MDP's leadership addressed the crowd, expressing disapproval over various aspects of the Muizzu administration.

Responding to President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's Republic Day speech, former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih said the Maldives is veering towards a dictatorship and concentration of power into the executive. President Solih alleged the PNC government is attempting to rig and steal the 2028 Presidential elections.

President Solih called out the current administration for the reasons of:

♦ concentration of administrative power
♦ attempted sabotage of the decentralized local governance
♦ financial management of the state
♦ "hypocrisy"
♦ being "secretive and deceptive"

"Dictatorial leaders will find delegating authority as a challenge. Because in reality, they are afraid of the people," said ex-Pres Ibu.

Further, President Solih defended his government's COVID-19 management efforts, saying:

♦ the government took risks for the people's benefits
♦ all state employees paid monthly, and nobody was laid off
♦ tourism land rents were deferred
♦ affected pvt sector employees were given income support
♦ small businesses were given loans for support

"The Maldives is in this able position today because of the choices we made back then. I say with confidence—we made the right call," said President Ibu.

[Sosal @sosalmv]

The incoming 47th President of US, Donald Trump, has announced he would appoint billionaire Elon Musk to lead a to-be-formed department to boost US government efficiency.

The former President, who will become the President again in January 2025, said that the "Department Of Government Efficiency" ("DOGE") will be co-led by the Tesla and SpaceX owner Musk, and the former Republic Party presidential nominee Vivek Ramaswamy.

Trump says the Department Of Government Efficiency, which is to be run outside the Government, will provide advice and guidance to "dismantle government bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies".

It will also "partner with the White House and Office of Management & Budget to drive large scale structural reform, and create an entrepreneurial approach to Government never seen before," said Trump. Trump also hinted that this department has a work timeframe, saying that their work will conclude "no later than July 4, 2026".

Elon Musk is a tycoon who openly supported and campaigned for Donald Trump in the US Presidential Elections. Musk declared his official support for Trump after the attempted assassination at a Pennsylvania rally in July.

But many are criticising both Trump and Musk for this plan--not because of the department's intended work, but the name "DOGE". A cryptocurrency called "Dogecoin" exists, and Elon Musk holds a lot of Dogecoins. The use of "DOGE" as the name of a government department could lead to boosting the price of the "Dogecoin" and further enrich Musk. Today, newspapers reported that Dogecoin prices rose over 10 percent after Trump's announcement.

Musk's net-worth is currently USD 320.2 billion.

[Sosal @sosalmv]

On Saturday, the government awarded Dr. Mohamed Zahir Hussain the Highest Honour for Service to Maldives Education.

Dr. Zahir Hussain is a academic and statesman who began his public service over 48 years ago. At age 83, Dr. Zahir Hussain is serving the public even now, in the capacity of Chancellor of the Islamic University of Maldives.

After attaining higher education at Al-Azhar University of Egypt, Dr. Zahir Hussain returned to the Maldives in 1970. He initially joined Aminiya School as an Islam Teacher.

Two years later, Dr. Zahir was moved to the Ministry of Education, where he oversaw opening of community schools all over the country. In 1979, he was appointed Minister of Education. As Minister, Dr. Zahir oversaw the "Asaasee Thauleemu" program, a country-wide effort launched to increase literacy rates. This program was fruitful indeed, bringing the country's literacy rates from 30 percent to 98 percent.

Science Education Center (SEC)--predecessor to present-day CHSE--, Arabiyya School, and Mawhad al-Dirasat al-Islamiyya (predecessor to present-day Islamic University of Maldives) was also established under Dr. Zahir Hussain's oversight.

Dr. Mohamed Zahir was conferred the Order of the Distinguished Rule of Izzuddin by President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom in 2008.

Dr. Zahir in a nutshell:

♦ Attained bachelor's and master's Degree at Al-Azhar University
♦ Holds a PHD in Theology and Philosophy, University Kebangsaan Malaysia (2001)
♦ Deputy Minister of Education (1978)
♦ Minister of Education (1979-1989)
♦ Minister of Youth and Sports
♦ Special Advisor to the President
♦ Minister at the President's Office
♦ Founder and Chairman of Haveeru News
♦ Chancellor of Maldives National University

[Sosal @sosalmv]

Stelco has launched a wave monitoring project to assess how wave energy could complement existing renewable sources, creating a more resilient and reliable energy grid. Stelco describes the project as a significant step forward in the Maldives' pursuit of sustainable energy solutions and in achieving President Dr Mohamed Muizzu's pledge to reach 33% renewable energy. The project involves rigorous data collection and analysis to understand the potential of ocean waves as a viable energy source for the nation.

[Sosal @sosalmv]

Azerbaijan Airlines has begun direct flights from Baku to Velana International Airport. The first flight landed on Saturday morning. Azerbaijan Airlines will operate two weekly flights from Baku to the Maldives using an Airbus B787E.

[Sosal @sosalmv]

The Ministry of Housing, Land, and Urban Development has announced that seven islands, R. Ungoofaaru, B. Eydhafushi, Lh. Naifaru, ADh. Mahibadhoo, F. Nilandhoo, Dh. Kudahuvadhoo and L. Fonadhoo are set to be urban centres along with the Northern Integrated Development Zone and the Southern Integrated Development Zone. The announcement was met with public criticism. However, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu defended his decision. He said the islands were being determined to be in line with his manifesto.

[Sosal @sosalmv]

After a match of the Europa Cup in which a Moroccan and Israeli team met, Israeli fans chanted anti-Arab and racist slogans on the streets of Amsterdam. They also ripped off Palestinian flags displayed on the streets. In response, Moroccans and Arabs attacked the Israeli football hooligans who incited the violence. However, Western governments only saw the attacks by the Moroccans and did not talk about the Israeli incitement.

[Sosal @sosalmv]

Minister of Homeland Security Ali Ihsan has announced that he plans to propose legal amendments that would allow the state to seize properties where criminal activities, such as drug-related or gang-related incidents, occur.