Real ‘Independence’ is here

At the early morning ceremony held in the Republican Square to hoist the big flag and to pass the military divisional flags to respective commanders, the President noted the services of late President Ibrahim Nasir, who as Prime Minister, negotiated the deal in 1965 with the British, which made Maldives an independent nation.

Although President Nasheed was graceful enough to recognize and thank the former dictator Gayyoom for his services to the nation, the fact of the matter is that he was one of the key reasons why we, the Maldivian people, were deprived of real independence and freedom for more than 3 past decades.

President Nasheed began his address by saying that the country is witnessing an important moment of change. He noted that we are in a different era of change and that the people are now able to express their views freely and participate in organized political activism. The President also noted that the powers of the state were now fully separated and in particular he noted that the judiciary was now fully independent of the executive.

It is not untrue to say that we are really experiencing real independence for the very first time here in the Maldives. Various programs are scheduled to mark the day and an official dinner is also planned for tonight evening in the honour of the foreign dignitaries visiting the country to participate in the ceremonies.

There are reports that the ousted dictator is also going to give an address on DhiTV this afternoon on the occasion of Independence Day. As leader of the main opposition party, perhaps it is not a bad idea to provide the people with a message but many will see this as an attempt to undermine the authority of his successor. The question is, how can we accept a man who took away our freedom and undermined our rights for 30 long years to talk about ‘independence’ and inspire us. He will most definitely end up blabbering about a set of definitions completely alien to the very word ‘independence’, as was the case with his definitions of ‘reform’ and ‘democracy’.
It was in deed a proud moment for many of us to see President Nasheed presiding over today’s ceremony as Commander-in-Chief and be given full state honour on the very ground where he was dragged when he protested for our rights just a couple of years ago. It was also quite overwhelming to meet the many victims of torture at the hands of dictator Gayyoom, attending the official ceremony today as state dignitaries.

Today, we must renew our vows, unite and work hard to develop our nation, as requested by our beloved President, who is no doubt a beacon of hope for the people who brought about the change from dictatorship to democracy.

Finally, perhaps, it is time the former dictator realized that his service to the nation can only be of real benefit if he lived with honour and dignity, instead of being a real obstacle for change that we all aspire.

source:dhivehiobserver.com

ދިވެހިން މަސްވެރިކަންކުރާ އުޅަނދު ފަހަރުގައި ބިދޭސީން މަސައްކަތްކުރަމުންދާކަމުގެ ޝަކުވާ ލިބެމުންދަނީ

ރާއްޖޭގެ އިގްތިޞާދީ ސަރަޙައްދުގެތެރޭގައި އާއްމުކޮށް ދިވެހިން މަސްވެރިކަންކުރާ އުޅަނދު ފަހަރުގައި ބިދޭސީން މަސައްކަތްކުރަމުންދާކަމުގެ ޝަކުވާ ލިބެމުންދާކަމަށް މިނިސްޓަރ އޮފް ފިޝަރީޒް އެންޑް އެގްރިކަލްޗަރ އިން ބުނެފިއެވެ.

އެމިނިސްޓްރީން ބުނީ ރާއްޖޭގެ އިޤްތިޞާދީ ސަރަޙައްދަކީ ރާއްޖޭގެ އަތޮޅުތަކުގެ ބޭރުދުނީގެ ފުއްޓަރުން ހަތްދިހަ ފަސްމޭލު ފާހަގަކޮށް އެސަރަޙައްދުގެ ތެރޭގައިވާ ކަނޑާއި، ކަނޑުއަޑީގެ ބިން ހިމެނޭ ސަރަޙައްދު ކަމަށެވެ.

އެމިނިސްޓްރީން ބުނީ އެކިފަރާތްތަކުން މިފަދަ ޝަކުވާތައް އެމިނިސްޓްރީއަށް ހުށަހަޅަމުންދާކަމަށާ މިކަމާގުޅޭ ހެކިތައް ލިބެމުންދާކަމަށްވާނަމަ އެފަރާތްތަކާއިމެދު އަޅަންޖެހޭ ފިޔަވަޅުތައް އަޅާނެކަމަށެވެ.

މަސްވެރިކަންކުރާ އުޅަނދުފަހަރުގައި ބިދޭސީން ހިމެނޭގޮތަށް މަސްވެރިކަންކުރުމަކީ މަސްވެރިކަމުގެ ގާނޫނާއި ޤަވާއިދުގައި މަނާކަމެއްކަމުގައި ވަނީ ބަޔާންކޮށްފަ އެވެ

މަސްވެރިކަމުގެ އުޅަނދުފަހަރު ހުންނަންޖެހޭ ސައިޒާއި، އޭގެ ބިލްޑިންގ ކޯޑެއް ކަނޑައެޅުއްވުމުގެ މަސައްކަތްފަށަނީ

މަސްވެރިކަމުގެ އުޅަނދުފަހަރު ހުންނަންޖެހޭ ސައިޒާއި، އޭގެ ބިލްޑިންގ ކޯޑެއް ކަނޑައެޅުއްވުމުގެ މަސައްކަތް ކުރައްވަމުންގެންދަވާ ކަމަށް ފިޝަރީޒް މިނިސްޓަރ ޑޮކްޓަރ އިބްރާހީމް ދީދީ ވިދާޅުވެއްޖެ އެވެ.

ކުރިއަށްއޮތްތާނގައި މަސްވެރިކަމަށް ބަންނަ އުޅަނދުގެ ސައިޒު އަށްޑިހަ ފަސް ފޫޓަށްވުރެ ބޮޑުނުކުރުމަށް ފިޝަރީޒް މިނިސްޓްރީން އެދިވަޑައިގަންނަވާ ކަމަށާއި މަސްވެރިކަމުގައި މިހާރު ބޭނުން ކުރުމަށް ބަނދެފައިހުރި ދޯނިފަހަރުގެ ސައިޒް ބޮޑުވުމުން އުޅަނދުފަހަރަށް ހިނގާ ޚަރަދުބޮޑުވެފައި ވާކަމަށާއި މިކަމުގެ ސަބަބުން މަސްވެރިކަން ދަށް ދުވަސްވަރު ބާނާމަހުގެ ޢަދަދު މަދުވާކަން މިނިސްޓަރ އިބްރާހީމް ދީދީ ފާހަގަކުރެއްވި އެވެ.

ސަތޭކަ ފޫޓަށް މިހާރު ބަނދެފައިހުރި އުޅަނދުތައް ގިނަދުވަހު މަސްވެރިކަމުގެ ސިނާއަތުގައި މަސައްކަތް ކުރުމަށް ޢަމާޒުކުރެވިފައިވާ ލޭނު މަސްވެރިކަމުގައި ބައިވެރިކޮށްގެން ދެމެހެއްޓެނިވި ގޮތެއްގައި މަސްވެރިކަން ކުރުމުގެ ފުރުސަތު ތަނަވަސްކޮށްދިނުމަށް މަސައްކަތް ކުރައްވާ ކަމަށްވެސް އެމަނިކުފާނު ވިދާޅުވި އެވެ.

އަދި މަސްވެރިކަމުގެ ޕްރޮސެސިންގ ސެކްޓަރުގައި، ކުދި އަދި މެދުމިނުގެ ވިޔަފާރިއަށް އިތުރުފުރުސަތުތައް ހޯއްދަވައިދެއްވުމަށްޓަކައި އެގްރީމަންޓް ކޮށްފައިވާ ކުންފުނިތަކާ މަޝްވަރާކުރައްވައިގެން އެކަންތައް ހަމަޖައްސަވާނެ ކަމަށްވެސް މިނިސްޓަރ އިބްރާހީމް ދީދީ ވިދާޅުވި އެވެ.

ފިޝަރީޒް މިނިސްޓްރީން ވިދާޅުވީ، މިކަމުގެ ސަބަބުން ދެމެހެއްޓެނިވި ވަޒީފާތަކެއް މަސްވެރިކަމުގެ ދާއިރާގައި އުފެދިގެންދާނެ ކަމަށެވެ.

Minister

Born to one of the most successful and famous fishing community, Addu Atoll, in the Maldives, Dr.Ibrahim Didi is an energetic Minister of the first ever true democratic government of the Maldives elected to office in November 2008.

Overseeing one of the most challenging portfolios of the Maldivian Democratic Party Alliance’s government, Dr.Ibrahim Didi has travelled to every corner of the country and received public acceptance as the Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture. Never showing any sign of fatigue, he is also actively engaged in the political activities of the MDP. In the historical presidential election of 2008, he held the key post of the MDP Alliance’s presidential candidate Mohamed Nasheed’s chief spokesperson.

Currently, Dr.Didi is an active member of the MDP’s National Executive Council and the National Council.

Though Dr.Didi is a Dental Surgeon & Orthodontist by profession, his performance in the Fisheries and Agriculture sector, in this short while, has proven to be a successful manager and leader of the farmers and fisher’s folk of the Maldives.

A main objective of the Maldives Fisheries Training Centre is to provide necessary skills and knowledge for fishermen, says President

President Mohamed Nasheed has said that one of the main objectives of the Maldives Fisheries Training Centre is to provide necessary skills and knowledge for fishermen.

The President made this statement this afternoon while speaking at the opening ceremony of the Maldives Fisheries Training Centre in Male-Villingili.

Highlighting the importance of skills and knowledge to develop any enterprise, the President said that earlier generations of fishermen had possessed the knowhow of fishing.

Speaking further, the President, however, said that as fishing methods had undergone tremendous changes, to develop the fisheries sector further, the Maldives needed to acquire modern technology, skills, and the science of fisheries.

The President said that the newly opened Centre would cater for these training needs. In his speech, the President reiterated that the government’s promise was to find ways to increase the earnings of fishermen.

He added to achieve that goal, we needed to ensure that our catch reach buyers in good quality.

sorce: http://presidencymaldives.gov.mv

Fishing Zones to be opened up soon - President

All regions of the country would soon be opened up to facilitate private parties to purchase fish directly from fishermen, President Mohamed Nasheed has revealed.

Briefing the media on Wednesday, the President said the objective of the opening up is to facilitate the best possible price for fishermen’s catch. He said discussions would be held with companies having exclusivity to purchase fish in the established zones on revoking the exclusivity permits issued by the previous government and if an agreement cannot be reached, the matter would be decided by the courts.

When asked about the concerns expressed by companies like Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO) on the huge losses the companies may face if the country was opened up, the President said the government gives priority to protect the rights of the fishermen who have invested in the fisheries industry rather than the investments of a few companies.

Responding to a question from some media, a senior member of private company engaged in fisheries industry said during the campaign trails Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) was very vocal on stopping fishing activities in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) as it provided little revenue to the government and that the government is not so enthusiastic on doing it any more. He said the president’s plan to open up the country for private buyers shows the government’s intention to use the fisheries industry as a political tool.

President to increase price floor of tuna

President Mohamed Nasheed announced last week plans to dramatically overhaul government fish policy, pledging an increase on the price floor of catch.

The price floor of a kilo of tuna has been around US$0.27 since 2005, but addressing media, Nasheed said the government intended to increase this to around US$0.47."We believe the floor price should be at least six rufiyaa (US$0.47)," said the president, adding he believed local fishermen were entitled to earn the same amount as in the international market.

Nasheed added he intended to change the price floor of catches from every six months to every week.

The president noted there was no competition among buyers, as a result of giving "exclusivity" to certain markets."We are planning to widen the market by negotiating between the existing sellers and buyers," he said.

The main fish exporting companies include the Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO), Island Enterprises Pvt Ltd and Horizon Fisheries Pvt Ltd. Fishing is the second leading sector in the Maldives after tourism, contributing 11 percent of GDP.

Mohamed Hassan, a fisherman from Huvadhu atoll, said the president's decision to fix the floor price according to the international market price every week was a long-standing demand from fishermen."I thank the president," said the 37-year old. "Previously, buyers were taking advantage of the six-month period, without taking the latest market prices into consideration."

Ali Saeed, 42, a fisherman from Addu atoll said he would only comment once the government went ahead with its plans.He added the increase suggested by the president was nominal and there were still numerous other factors that needed to be taken into account."We have to travel 150 miles to catch only four tons of fish, which uses up 1,200 litres of diesel," he said. "And a litre of diesel costs Rf7.95 (US$0.62), while we only get Rf5.50 (US$0.43) for a kilo."

The main markets for Maldivian fish exports are Thailand, Germany, Japan, UK, Iran and Sri Lanka.

Speaking to Minivan News in early March, state minister Adhil Saleem, former chairman of the Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO), said Maldivian fish exports "should get a better price" in the West where "sustainability and conservation" is valued.Adhil said fish caught by pole-and-line fishing in the Maldives received the same price as products from countries that use net fishing, even though it was more environmentally-friendly.

source: minivannews.com

MPs call for easier loan repayment schemes for fishermen

Members of the People’s Majlis on Monday called on the Government to lower the interest rates on loans granted to fishermen and increase the loan repayment periods.

The resolution submitted by the Gaafu Alifu atoll MP Abdulla Jabir at Monday’s sitting of the People’s Majlis was supported by a large number of the MPs who spoke at the meeting.

They agreed that the biggest issue faced by fishermen and boat owners currently was the fact that the interest on their loans was so high and the repayment periods so short.Hassan Afeef, Thaa atoll MP and president of the MDP’s Parliamentary Group, said that decreasing the interest rates and increasing the loan repayment period was something that could be done immediately.

Speaking at Majlis, Jabir said that the problem was the fact that neither the previous administration nor the incumbent Government had paid enough attention to the fisheries industry. He further said that the license to harvest fish in the EEZ was given under an agreement and should be terminated if the foreign companies acted in violation of the agreement.

He had also questioned why there wasn’t a Fisheries Tourism Board like there was a Tourism Promotion Board.

Fishermen’s protest enters second day

A protest organized by the Islamic Democratic Party (IDP) to demand the rights of the country’s fishermen has entered its second day despite a sharp decline in the amount of people taking part in the protest.

21 hours after the protest began, the number of fishing vessels that had been moved into the harbor area in front of the President’s Office had gone down to five.

In comparison, on Friday night there had been eight fishing boats in the area and few more were being prepared to take part in the protest near the No. 1 jetty.The first of the fishing vessels had docked in the harbor near the President’s Office at around 2:30pm on Friday.

On the boat were IDP President Umar Naseer and some other party members. They had remained on the boat until sunset yesterday.

dhimaku media cordinator at the scene this morning said that there were no sign of Umar Naseer or any IDP party members around 11:00am.

The demonstration had been organized by the IDP to demand the lowest selling price for yellow-fin tuna to be increased to Rf45, to stop MIFCO’s fishing vessels from going fishing and to establish services to provide clean water and boat refueling from the Malé Fish Market area. Further the protesters have demanded for dry ice to be easily available to fishermen.

The fishermen who had taken part in the protests had stood on the boats and shouted that they would not stop the protest until their demands were met.Due to the demonstration in progress the area has been cordoned off, blocking off access to the public.

DHIYAMIGILY MASVERINGE KURIMAGU (DHIMAKU)

DHIMAKU is a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) registered under the Registrar of Societies, Ministry of Home Affairs, Maldives, to work in the area in dhiyamigili fishermans rights . Registered in 5th july 2007, the organization has been actively working in the housing & shelter related issues.Objectives

1- Campaign for fisherman & fishermens rights

2- Educate the public on the rights

3- Inform public on fisherman related laws and regulations

4- Review fisherman related policies, and recommend the relevant parties on the desired reforms

5- Monitor fisherman related programs to ensure that they are being carried out appropriately

6- Assist people facing fisherman difficulties

Dhimaku condemns IDP led demonstrations

Thaa Dhiyamigily Masveringe Kurimagu (DHIMAKU) has strongly condemned that Islamic Democratic Party (IDP) organized fishermen demonstrations planned for Friday saying that the demonstrations is not representative of fishermen.

President of dhimaku Ahmed Rasheed Mohamed said that the dhimaku strongly condemned the IDP organized fishermen’s demonstrations planned for Friday. He said the demonstrations will have far reaching consequences and may even adversely affect the economy. He further stated that the Fishermen Union, registered nearly 8 months ago, was working for the protection of fishermen’s rights as well as to find solutions to all their problems.

“IDP is planning demonstrations for next Friday for better protection of fishermen’s rights, this might place us in a very difficult situation; we too want better prices for fish catch and it is our objective as well but this demonstrations is directly politically motivated” Ahmed Rasheed said.

Ahmed Rasheed further said it was the objective of the dhimaku to solve the difficulties faced by fisher folks and that the Fisheries Minister Dr. Didi was working hard to solve all the problems of the fisher folks.

President of dhimaku further informed that Fishermen Union will not take part in the demonstrations.

According to IDP the fishermen demonstrations will be at harbor area in front of the President’s Office at 1400 hours on Friday and that the party had identified 12 demands of fisher folks. Included among them are banning MIFCO from actively engaging in fishing and making Rf. 45 per kilo as minimum price for yellow fin tuna. IDP has also stated that demonstrations will continue non stop until government yields to their demands.

Ministry bans reef shark fishing

The ministry of fisheries and agriculture has extended the moratorium on reef shark fishing to cover the territorial waters of the Maldives, as part of a historic move towards a total ban on both reef and oceanic shark hunting.

A ten-year moratorium was imposed in 1998 to cover the seven atolls where tourism had been established on the assumption that many tourists visited the Maldives to see sharks.But with the spread of tourism to almost all atolls in the country, the ministry has decided to expand the ban to encompass all reef shark fishing across the Maldives within a 12 nautical mile radius.

Marie Saleem, a reef ecologist at the marine research centre and one of those at the forefront of the campaign to ban shark hunting, said she was both “excited” and “relieved” to hear that the efforts of those who had been pushing for a ban were “finally fruitful”.Reef shark populations would now need to be monitored as a matter of urgency in order to observe the effectiveness of the ban, she said.Total banAbdullah Nasir, permanent secretary of the fisheries ministry, has said:

“The fisheries law clearly tells us that we can protect any marine species if we feel that it’s threatened or endangered for any reason.”Although oceanic shark fishing is yet to be prohibited by law, Nasir said the ministry was “working towards that” and had set itself a target of banning the export of shark products, both oceanic and reef, within one year.

“We have taken very strong action against the protection of sharks simply because they were protected worldwide and are very important for tourism.” As sharks reproduce at a slow rate their populations cannot handle large-scale fishing pressure.

Speaking to Minivan News in December, Guy Stevens, senior marine biologist at Four Seasons resorts, said: “It takes decades and decades for the shark population to recover, but it doesn’t take long to wipe out.”
NGO Shark Alliance estimates tens of millions of sharks are killed globally each year either as by-catch or intentionally. The lucrative market for shark fins in Asia, where shark-fin soup is considered to be a delicacy, is believed to be increasing each year.

LivelihoodsOne of the hurdles faced by the ministry is the need to find alternative livelihoods for the 100 or so fishermen whose incomes depend on shark fishing.“We need to work with the fishermen to identify alternative livelihoods and to compensate them,” said Marie.“I feel that the tourism industry should play a large role in this change and take the responsibility of compensating the fishermen as they are the ones reaping the benefits out of the loss of fishermen.”

Nasir said the government was in the process of finding other means of income for these fishermen.Robert Tomasetti, a marine biologist at Banyan Tree resort, has said that as shark fishing is not a traditional fishery, the ban should be easier to enforce than the ban on turtle hunting.

“I think that there are only about 100 to 200 shark fishermen and it’s mostly seasonal; other times of the year they will be fishing tuna. Whenever we take something away, we have to provide another source of income.”EnforcementTomasetti stressed the importance of making the leap between “rhetoric and reality”. He said although the move showed live sharks were more valuable for tourists than dead sharks, the ban on sea turtle hunting had proved ineffective. “I think it’s a success but I just hope it will be followed through with action. This government seems to be very environmentally friendly.”One of the ways in which the ban will be enforced is by monitoring exports. But, said Tomasetti, “It’s difficult unless you are a specialist or trained well, to tell the difference between fins of some species and another.”He said it was possible fishermen would hunt reef sharks and palm them off as another species, which is why a total ban was essential.


“Ocean fishery is generally less targeted because of the cost of fuel but maybe they will shift towards these sharks because they can’t fish reef sharks.”The extension to all atolls will help the ministry of fisheries check and control reef shark hunting, said Nasir.

He added the responsibility of enforcement would need to be shared by atoll offices and the police as well as the ministry.The ministry would ensure customs staff received further training so officers could learn to spot different shark-related products, he said."Tremendous"A recent report by Stevens noted nationwide whale shark excursions were responsible for generating around US$10 million annually while shark hunting produces about US$100,000 a year.

Mohamed Sim Ibrahim, the secretary general of the Maldives Association of Tourism Industry, said the effect of the ban on the tourism industry would be “tremendous”. The long-term effect on the revival of the shark population would need to be monitored along with its impact on tuna fisheries.Crudely put, observations have shown a positive link between shark and tuna populations, he said.“Instead of reducing these species or hunting them to extinction, we are thinking positively about conserving them and keeping them, adding more value to the tourism experience.

”According to Sim, around 30 per cent of tourists visit the Maldives for its underwater marine life and in addition to manta rays, sharks would be “their number one priority”.

Fishermen demand government takes action

A group of Maldivian fishermen have said they will protest on 6 March if the government does not take action to alleviate the poor fish catch.

But the president of the Fishermen's Union has said its 6,000 members will not be participating, adding, political parties were trying to exploit the problems faced by fishermen for political mileage.The Islamic Democratic Party (IDP), which has announced it will be helping to organise the protest, has said they were approached by fishermen to help them plan the demonstration.
"Last resort"Ali Ibrahim of R.Maakuradhoo, who has been a fisherman for the past eight years, has said he is not interested in going up against the government.

"Protesting is the last resort," he said. "This is purely a problem fishermen face. We want them to fix a reasonable price for buying our fish.

"Ibrahim has said he welcomed any political party that would be willing to help them organise the protest. "We barely make ends meet and we don't have enough money to buy diesel and feed our families." He added crews from at least 40 dhonis would be participating in the protest.

On the Fishermen's Union, he said the organisation did not comprise all fishermen and was mostly made up of buyers of fish.

ObsoleteMohamed Hassan of Gdh.Thinadhoo, a fisherman with 27 years of experience, has said the government should implement measures to address the sharp decline in fish catch."Since last July there has been a steep drop in the number of fish caught by line fishing.

The civil service takes care of government employees but who takes care of us? We are at the mercy of nature. If we return empty-handed our families will suffer." Hassan added the previous government had neglected the fisheries industry as it was only interested in the tourism sector.

"No research has been done on fisheries. The government has not helped us in using new technology and they have not informed us if we need to change our fishing methods."At this rate we will be forced to take up other jobs. A centuries-old tradition is going to become obsolete. Is the country going to watch this happen?"A helping handDirector of MIFCO Ali Faiz has said there is no cause for concern. "We are doing all that is possible to facilitate fishermen. The recent decline in fish has made it difficult for us to honour our commitments in selling as well.

"There has been a seasonal change and no one knows why. When they contact us for help, we do all we can. We use a satellite tracking system device and inform fishermen of good fishing spots. We send our big boats there so that fishermen in dhonis (boat) can feel safe."

Faiz added MIFCO planned to lease out ten dhonis to fishermen on a scheme that would involve them owning the boats in the long run.On the protest, he said, "It's good that people can voice their concerns now."ExploitationPresident of the Fishermen's Union Ibrahim Umar has said political parties have been trying to exploit fishermen for political gain. "The government is barely three months old," he said. "We will give them at least six months.

Even now they have lowered the price of an ice box by Rf500 at our request…but they can still lower the price as they are making a profit.Furthermore, he added Maldives Transport and Contracting Company was selling fishermen engines at a 50 per cent profit even though they were buying them cheaply. "Things need to change. We will not participate in the protest nor discourage it."Fisherman Hassan has said he will not protest but will consider it in the future if the situation does not improve.

"We can't afford to wait around like this. But this government is in its infancy. We are not fools to protest now without giving them more time."

source: www. minivannews.com

Pole and Line Fishery

The Maldivian Skipjack Industry, a 100% pole and line process, is the dominant economic fishery activity in the country, and is also recognized as the most environmentally sustainable skipjack fishery in the world.

The exclusive pole-and-line skipjack fishery of the country, when complemented with the clean clear waters of the Maldives and the quality with which all of Mifco’s production has always been undertaken, has meant that Mifco’s products are demanded by discerning customers, especially in Europe.

While Mifco has been and still continue to process and market large volumes as canned and frozen tuna, Mifco has recently expanded and diversified its’ production base by venturing into fresh chilled tuna, Katuobushi for the Japanese market, cooked loins and other value added products. Indeed, Mifco is committed to be actively engaged in the processing and marketing of the whole spectrum in tuna and other fishery products.

source: http;//mifco.com.mv

The President says that the government plans to promote the field of arts education in Dhiyamigili

President Nasheed has yesterday said that the government planned to promote and strengthen the field of arts education in the island of Dhiyamigili.

The President made this statement during his meeting with the people of Dhiyamigili, as part of his tour to Kolhumadulu.

Noting the historical significance of Dhiyamigili, the President said that he has n

ow directed the National Centre for Historical and Linguistic Research to restore and preserve the Dhiyamigili Palace. He stressed that the purpose of this was to showcase our proud history to the whole world.

In addition, he said that as part of government’s housing policy, the government planned to construct 50 houses in Dhiyamigili which will be given on an instalment basis. He added that the construction of these 50 houses would begin in mid this year.

He also said that as part of its efforts to provide basic services to the people, the government would soon provide services including electricity, water supply, sewerage system and cooking gas to the people in a more convenient manner.

Slaughter in Gaza - What Can You Do?

1. Make du’aa’, and recite du’a’ al-qunoot in your salaah (prayer).

2. Collect charity and send it through trustworthy channels.

3. Support the weak and oppressed in all ways, including the media and the internet.

4. Get scholars, daa’iyahs, khateebs and writers to explain the oppression that is happening and the negligence on the part of the ummah, and to mobilize the ummah to defend the holy places.

5. Check on one’s own intentions with regard to fighting for the sake of Allaah, and see whether he is applying the hadeeth of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him): “Whoever dies without having fought for the sake of Allaah or having had the intention of doing so, has died following one of the branches of hypocrisy.” (Saheeh Muslim, no. 3533)

6. Pursuing all the means of building up material and moral strength, in preparation for meeting the enemy (in battle).

7. Reminding oneself and others of the virtues of martyrdom for the sake of Allaah and studying the rulings on jihad, and not having an attachment to this world.

8. Doing as much damage as possible to the enemies who are in a state of war with us, by boycotting their products, attacking them verbally and in writing to humiliate and annoy them, and to point out their kufr and shirk, and their insults to Allaah, His Messenger and the believers, publishing as much as possible in the audio-visual and print media about this serious topic whilst also connecting that to Islamic belief and the words of Allaah and His Messenger, We ask Allaah the Exalted and All-Powerful to support His religion and cause His word to prevail.

extracted from www.islamqa.com

ދެޖިންސުގެ ގުޅުން އަތްނުފޯރާ ފަށުގައި

ދިވެހި އަންހެނުންނާ ފިރިހެނުންގެ މެދުގައި އޮންނަ ގުޅުމަކީ ޒަމާނުއްސުރެ ބަދަހި ގުޅުމެކެވެ. އަވައްޓެރި ގައުމުތަކާއި އިސްލާމީ ބައެއް ގައުމުތަކުގައި ދެޖިންސްގެ މެދުގައި އޮންނަ ގުޅުމަށްވުރެ ދިވެހިންގެ މެދުގައި އޮންނަނީ މާގާތް ގުޅުމެކެވެ.

ރާއްޖޭގެ ރަށްތަކަކީ ކުދި ރަށްރަށައް ވާތީ އެކަކު އަނެކަކަށް އެނގި ގޭގެއަށް ވަދެ ނިކުމެ އުޅުމަކީ ފަސޭހަ ކަމަކަށް ވުމަކީވެސް މިގުޅުމަށް އޮތް ފަހި މަގެކެވެ. ކުރީ ޒަމާނުގައި އަން ހެނަކާއި ފިރިހެނަކު އެކަހެރިކޮށް ބައްދަލުކޮށް ވާހަކަދައްކާ ހެދުމަކީ މަދުން ނޫނީ ނުފެންނަ މަންޒަރަކަށްވި ނަމަވެސް ރާއްޖެއަށް އަންނަމުންދާ ތަރައްގީ އާއެކު މިކަންތައްތައް ދަނީ ހަލުވިކަމާއެކު ބަދަލުވަމުންނެވެ.

ކޭބަލް ޓީވީގެ ޚިދުމަތް ރާއްޖޭގެ ހުރިހާ ހިސާބަކަށް ލިބި އޭގެ ޒަރީއާއިން ފެންނަމުންދާ މަންޒަރުތަކެގެ އަލީގައި ދިވެހި ޒުވާނުން ދަނީ އެމީހުންގެ ލޯބީގެ އެކިއެކި ގުޅުންތައް ބައްޓަން ކުރާނެ ޒަމާނީ ގޮތްތައް ދަސްކުރަމުންނެވެ. މޮބައިލް ފޯނަކީ މިއަދު ދިވެހި ކޮންމެ ފަރުދެއްގެ ޖީބުގައިވެސް މުއާމަލާތު ކުރުމަށް އޮންނަ މުހިންމު ވަސީލަތެކެވެ. ފޯނުގައި ހުންނަ ތަފާތު ޚިދުމަތްތަކުގެ އެހީގައި އެމީހަކު ބޭނުންވާ ކޮންމެ މެސެޖެއްވެސް އެއްވެސް ހުރަހެއްނެތި ކުޑަވަގުތުކޮޅެއްގެ ތެރޭގައި ފޮނުވާލެވެއެވެ. އިންޓަނެޓަކީވެސް މާލެ އާއި ރާއްޖެތެރޭގައި ލިބެން ހުންނަ ދެޖިންސްގެ ގުޅުން ބަދަހި ކުރުމަށް އޮތް ފަހި މަގެކެވެ. މޮބައިލް ފާނާއި އިންޓަނެޓް އަދި މިނޫންވެސް ގޮތްގޮތުން ބައްދަލުވާ ތަފާތު ޖިންސްގެ މީހުން"ވަރޗުއަލް" ބައްދަލުވުމަކަށްފަހު "ރިއަލް" ބައްދަލުވުމަށް ރަށްރަށުގައިވެސް ޒަމާނީ ފެންވަރުގެ ރެސްޓޯރެންޓް ތަކާއި ހޮޓާތައް ވަނީ ހުޅުވިފައެވެ. އަންހެނުން ރެސްޓޯރެންޓްތަކަށް ގޮސް އުޅުމަކީ ހަޑިކަމަކަށް މީގެ އަހަރުތަކެއް ކުރިން ދުއް ނަމަވެސް މިއަދު މިވަނީ އެއީވެސް ތަރައްގީއާއެކު ބަދަލުވެފައިވާ ވިސްނުމަކަށް ވެފައެވެ. އެކަމަށް އަންހެން ކުއްޖަކު ފަސްޖެހެންވީ އެއްވެސް ސަބަބެއް މިހާރަކު ނެތެވެ. ދިވެހިންގެ އަތްފޯރާފަށުގައި ހުރި ޒަމާނީ ވަސީލަތްތަކާއި މީހުންގެ ވިސްނުމަށް ހާއްސަކޮށް ޒުވާނުންގެ ވިސްނުމަށް އައިސްފައިވާ ބަދަލުތަކާއެކު ދިވެހިން ވަނީ މަސްތެއްގެ ތެރޭގައެވެ. ހަމއެކަނި ޑްރަގްގެ އެހީގައެއްނޫނެވެ. އޭގެ އިތުރަށް ޖިންސީއެކިއެކި ކަންކަމުގައި މިވަނީ މާބޮޑު މަސްތެއްގެ ތެރެއަށް ދިވެހި މުޖުތަމައު ވެއްޓިފައެވެ. ކަންބޮޑުވާންެޖެހޭ މިންވަރަކަށެވެ.

މީގެ މަހެއްހާ ދުވަސްކުރިންު ރާއްޖެތެރޭގެ ރަށަކަށް ގޮސް އެންމެރެއެއްގައި ފެނުނު މަންޒަރުތަކަށާއިި ކުރެވުނު ތަޖުރިބާ އަށް ބަލާލަމާހެވެ. އެރޭގައި ދިމާވި ރަޙުމަތްތެރި ގިނަ އަންހެންކުދިން ރެސްޓޯރެންޓަށް ގޮސްލުމަށްދައުވަތު ދީފާވެއެވެ. އެއީ އެހާ ރަނގަޅުކަމެއްތޯ އެކުދިން ގާތު ސުވާލުކޮށްލުމުން ބުނެފައި ވަނީ އެއީ މިރަށުގައި މިހާރު ވަރަށް އާއްމު ކަމެއްކަމަށާއި ގެއަށްގެންގޮސް ސައިދީ ހެދުމަކީ ތަންކޮޅެއް ކުރީގެ އާދައެއްކަމަށެވެ.

މާލެއިންވެސް ފެނިއުޅޭ އަންހެނަކާއި އެރަށުން ދިމާވުމުން ކީއްތޯ ކުރަނީ ސުވާލުކޮށލުމުން ބުނީ އެއީ އޭނާގެ ރަށް ކަމަށާއި ފިރިމީހާ ވަރިކޮށް ލުމުން ރަށުގައި އައިސް އުޅެނީކަމެށެވެ. އަދި ރޭގަނޑުގެ އެހާ ފަހުގެ ވަގުތުގައި ބޭރަށް ނުކުމެ އުޅެނީ ކީއްވެތޯ އަހާލުމުން އެއްވެސް ޖެހިލުމެއްނެތި އޭނާ ބުނީ މީ އަހަރެމެން "އުފާކޮށްލުމަށް" ނިކުމެ އެޅޭ ގަޑިކަމަށެވެ. އޭގެ ކުޑައިރުކޮޅެއް ފަހުން ފަސް ވަރަކަށް އަންހެނުން މާމަޖާ ނަގާތީ ފެނިގެން ކައިރިކޮށްލާ ވާހަކަ ދައްކާލުމުން އެނގުނީ އެއީ ހައްތާވެސް ކައިވެނި ރޫޅި އިތުރު މަގެއް އަދި ނުފެންނާތީ ފޫހިފިލުވާލާ ހަދާލުމަށްޓަކައި ކޮންމެރެއަކުވެސް ވަގުތުކޮޅެއް ހޭދަކޮށްލާ އުސޫލުން ނިކުމެ އުޅޭ ބައެއްކަމެވެ. މިއީ ހަމައެކަނި އެރަށުގެ ހާލަތުހުރިގޮތް ކަމަކަށްނުބެލެވެއެވެ. ރާއްޖޭގެ ހުރިހާ ހިސާބެއްގައިވެސް ލޯބީގެ ނަމުގައި ތަފާތު ގުޅުންތައް ދަނީ ހިންގަމުންނެވެ. ނަހަމަގޮތުގައި ޖިންސީ ގުޅުން ހިންގުން ވަނީ އާއްމުވެފައެވެ. ކުޑަކުދިންނަށް ޖިންސީ ގޯނާ ކުރުމާއި ވަރީގެ މައްސަލަތައް ވަނީ އިންތިހާއަށް އިތުރުވެފައެވެ.