Editorial: Maldives LGBTQ community makes a win

In social terms, the LGBTQ community of Maldives has made a win over the heterosexual community. First there was Rainbow Maldives, the online support group representing our rights and potential. The Rainbow Maldives then introduced an online forum and news website, The Rainbow Maldivian bringing together the LGBTQ community onto a single platform. With the recent introduction of an advice column for queer Maldivians, Rainbow Maldives has achieved a collaborative effort in almost completing a sense of community among ourselves at a time while the majority heterosexual community seems to be in chaos. As our mission statement states...

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Posted in: News,Society

Maldives President committed to zero tolerance on corruption

President Dr Mohamed Waheed today reaffirmed his commitment to tackling corruption, pledging a zero tolerance policy. Speaking today, President Waheed said: “The National Unity Government is committed to an open and transparent system of governance. We remain fully committed to the United Nations Convention against Corruption. We acknowledge the crucial work carried out by the Anti-Corruption Commission and fully support any action taken by the Commission. Our policy on corruption is zero tolerance. Anybody found guilty of corrupt practice will face the full force of the law regardless of the position they hold. Nobody is above the law.” Source: The President's Off...

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Posted in: Politics / Religion,Society

Dear FK: An Advice Column for the Maldives

The number of queer Maldivian blogs can be counted with the fingers of your one hand.  There may be many reasons for this but it is noteworthy that some gay bloggers have taken the initiative in creating a sense of community among the LGBTQ community of Maldives.The recently setup Dear FK: An Advice Column for the Maldives is a good example of how we gay Maldivians, who have been forced to remain in the closet, can show silent solidarity toward our fellow LGBTQ community members - by sharing similar experiences to find unique personal solutions.Source: Aza...

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Posted in: Society

Maldives has solid framework for women’s rights, but numbers still disturbing

Ling Ya is fighting a challenging battle to protect young girls forced into sex slavery in Cambodia. She is a survivor of the sordid crime which is destroying lives of thousands of young girls in the turbulent region. Khadija is among several lobbyists in Pakistan who are working day and night to push authorities to expedite the endorsement of stalled legislations on ending the sexual harassment and domestic violence Pakistani women are suffering. Bothaina from Jordon is fighting with a system that allows a man to kill his wife for suspected infidelity and escape harsh punishment. Similar to several other Muslim communities,...

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Posted in: Society

Sheikhs obsessed with homosexuality

Today's Hukuru Huthuba  (Friday Sermon) concentrated on the sinfulness of alcohol and other intoxicants but towards the end when the Sheikh rattled off a list of sins, including gambling, I wasn't surprised that homosexuality was mentioned though it should baffle any rational mind why sex between consenting adults (regardless of gender) should be of concern to anyone. I really do wonder, why the obsession with homosexuality indeed?  Source: Azazel  Should we start boycotting Hukuru Namaadhu? Or should we gays have a separate congregation just like some Habs? As Azey pointed out, today's Juma sermon once again...

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Posted in: Gossip,Politics / Religion

Cabinet decides to expand Aa Sandha services to private sector

The cabinet has today decided to expand the services of Aa Sandha, the government health insurance programme, to the private sector, starting from the 1st of June 2012.The decision was made at today’s meeting of the cabinet, where discussions were held on the matter. It was decided by the cabinet that, Aa Sandha services would be continued at the government hospitals and health centres where they are already being provided, and the services would be extended to private hospitals and private clinics, that are registered according to a code of practice, to be set and disclosed by the National Social Protection Agency shortly.The main objective...

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Posted in: Health / HIV

Is gay rights a conspiracy in Maldives?

Good question. A gay Maldivian friend says he doesn't support gays coming out. For his own selfish reasons. He believes that when gays have to remain in the closet their choice for sexual fulfillment is limited and therefore even ugly dudes will get to sleep with the cute ones... "If gays become more open, all the good-looking guys will only sleep with other good-looking guys or rich men," the friend said. He added, "Then we average ugly guys will not get to have sex with cute guys." That's a very selfish way of looking at things. There are many gays who want things like love, romance, dating and marriage which heterosexuals take...

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Posted in: Gossip

Islamic Ministry requests MNDF, police officers be authorised to grow beards

The Ministry of Islamic Affairs has requested amendments to the uniform code of the security services to authorise army and police officers to grow facial hair. A media official from the ministry confirmed that a letter was sent to the President’s Office this week officially requesting the policy change “to give permission to police and army officers to grow beards as in other Islamic countries, since our constitution is based on Islamic principles.” Islamic Minister Sheikh Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed told local media this week that a number of army and police officers had appealed with the ministry for the change. Shaheem...

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Posted in: Politics / Religion

Hilath has repented and Ubaid will be missed

It's sad that both Hilath and Ubaid have decided to stop blogging. Today Hilath tweeted: I have repented and am now a Muslim. But a very tolerant one at that. Have also decided to stop blogging. But I'll keep my Twitter & Facebook accounts in order to keep in touch with my friends. Thanks & peace.I will also keep my Flickr and YouTube accounts in order to share my experiences. @SusanIbrahim I think everything that can be said has been said. Now it's time to explore new grounds and new ways of expression. Before deleting his blog and Twitter account today, Ubaid tweeted: Hilath is right. I have decided to delete my blog and also...

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Posted in: Gossip

“Independence and safety of the country lie in the hands of our future generations” - Vice President

Vice President Mohamed Waheeduddeen has said that the independence and safety of the country lie in the hands of our future generations. The Vice President made this remark while speaking at the Silver Jubilee function of Al Madhrasathul Arabiyyathul Islamiyyaa, held last evening at Iskandhar School.Speaking at the ceremony, Vice President Waheeduddeen said that building a nation requires producing good and responsible children. Noting that quality education and better upbringing was required to inculcate patriotism in our children, the Vice President said that the country’s economy also depended on patriotic children.In his speech, the Vice...

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Posted in: Society

President Waheed sends his greetings on Children’s Day

President Dr Mohamed Waheed has today sent his greetings and good wishes to the children of Maldives, and their parents and guardians, on the occasion of the country’s Children’s Day.As the government marks the Children’s Day, the President notes that a successful future could be secured for the children by providing them quality education and better upbringing.President Waheed also stresses the importance of ensuring a safer environment, and a healthier lifestyle for our children. The President appeals to all parents and guardians, to teach them good morals and bring them up to be responsible citizens of the country.Source: The President's Off...

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Posted in: Society

President Waheed changes Ministry of Health and Family to Ministry of Health

President Dr Mohamed Waheed has today changed the name of Ministry of Health and Family, to Ministry of Health. President Waheed also appointed Dr Ahmed Jamsheed Mohamed as the Minister of Health, and presented the letter of appointment at a ceremony held at the President’s Office today. Before the presentation of the letter of appointment, Dr Jamsheed took his oath of office before the Supreme Court Judge Abdulla Areef. Source: The President's Office...

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Posted in: Health / HIV,Society

President Waheed establishes Ministry of Gender, Family and Human Rights

President Dr Mohamed Waheed has today established the Ministry of Gender, Family and Human Rights, and appointed Uza Dhiyana Saeed as the Minister. The presentation of the letter of appointment was held at the President’s Office today. Before the presentation of the letter of appointment, Uza Dhiyana Saeed took the oath of office before Supreme Court Judge Uz Abdulla Areef.  Source: The President's Office...

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Posted in: Society

Health Service Corporations to be Abolished

The cabinet has today decided to abolish all Health Service Corporations, and bring the operation of their health service facilities under the administration of Ministry of Health and Family. The decision was made following a round of discussions held at today’s cabinet meeting, concerning the role of Health Service Corporations. Speaking at the discussions, all members noted their observation that, in consideration of the past three years’ experience, several challenges had to be confronted in delivering health service to the general public under corporate policy. At today’s Cabinet meeting, the members also decided that all procedures preceding the abolition of Health Service Corporations will be followed in accordance with legal advice, and as pertaining to applicable rules...

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Posted in: Health / HIV

400 Screened for HIV/AIDS

400 people have been screened so far for HIV/AIDS in the Maldives after the recent death of a young Maldivian woman from AIDS. Those screened were suspected of having had sexual contact with the woman, a well-placed source said.  A local journalist told the Rainbow Maldivian that authorities currently seem to be silent on the issue in order not to cause a nationwide panic as Maldivians are already "high-risk" due to their promiscuity and aversion to safe sex aids like condoms....

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Posted in: Health / HIV