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The President strongly condemns the act of detonating an explosive device in Sultan Park

 Press Release issued by the Office of the President, Male’, Maldives

 Reference Number: 2007-522

Saturday, September 29, 2007

The President tonight strongly condemned the act of detonating an explosive device in Sultan Park this afternoon. 

In an interview given to the Media during his visit to the foreign nationals injured in the explosion, being treated at ADK Hospital, the President said that this has been a very sad day for the Maldives and that this is the first time that the Maldives had suffered such an attack. The President also said that the people responsible for this act will be found and that they will be punished under law.

The President’s interview reads as follows: 

Quote:

“I want to say that this has been a very sad day for the Maldives. This is the first time that we have suffered such a terrorist attack in the Maldives and in Male, the capital of the country. The people responsible for this act must be found. The Government with the grace of Almighty Allah will find them and they will be punished under law. I also want to say that our feelings are with the victims of the incident today. We wish them a very speedy recovery. I must also point out that some people who for political reasons have been calling for the boycott of the Maldives on the tourism front. They have been calling on tour operators to boycott the Maldives. They also had to share some responsibility for what happened today because they have been jeopardising the stability and peace of the country and our economic benefits for political gain. I think that is a very selfish and irresponsible thing to do. They have to take part of the blame for what happened today.” 

Unquote:

Press Release issued by the Government of the Maldives regarding the explosion at Sultan Park in Male’

Following is the text of the press release issued by the Ministry of Information and Arts on 29 September 2007 in connection with the explosion in Male’: 

PRESS RELEASE 

Twelve foreign nationals injured in an improvised device explosion; Government of Maldives strongly condemns the act 

The Government of the Maldives has strongly condemned the detonation of an improvised explosive device in Sultan Park in the commercial district of the capital Male’, as a malicious act aimed at undermining the peace and harmony that has always prevailed in the country. The Government has also expressed its support for the victims and their families and has vowed to bring the perpetrators of the crime to justice.  

The device went off at about 2.36 p.m. today injuring twelve foreign nationals. The injured include two British nationals who sustained significant burns, while eight Chinese and two Japanese suffered minor burns and injury caused by flying shrapnel. All were immediately taken to Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital and ADK hospital for treatment.

All except the British nationals have now been discharged from hospital. Minister of Tourism Mahmood Shaugcc visited the victims in hospital to express the support and concern of the Government and the people of the Maldives.  The area near Sultan Park has been cordoned off by the Maldives Police Service and the Maldives National Defense Force which have launched a joint investigation into the incident. CCTV  footage has been released and the public has been urged to share any information that might help with the investigation.

A key ministerial group has been instituted to discuss and take decisions on the next, steps to be taken in relation to the incident. 

The Government of Maldives has always condemned acts of aggression and terror wherever they are perpetrated and has vowed to bring the perpetrators of today’s explosion to justice. As of yet no group has claimed responsibility for the attack, and the identities of the perpetrators and the motives behind the act are not yet clear. 

Sultan Park which houses the National Museum  is an open park for locals and foreigners alike. The foreign nationals were reported to be in the immediate vicinity when the device went off a few feet from the entrance to the park.

President Gayoom extends congratulations to the new Prime Minister of Japan

Wednesday, September 26, 2007:

The President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom sent toady a message of congratulations to H.E. Mr. Yasuo Fukuda, on his appointment as the new Prime Minister of Japan.

In the message, the President extended warm congratulations and sincere good wishes of the Government and people of the Maldives, and that of his own, to Mr. Fukuda. The President further expressed his confidence that the close relations of friendship and cooperation that existed between the two countries would continue to flourish in the years ahead.

Foreign Minister Shahid’s interview to Marine Diving Magazine

Minister of Foreign Affairs H.E. Mr. Abdulla Shahid, visited the Marine Art Centre in Tokyo during his visit to Tokyo and granted an interview to the Marine Diving Magazine. Please click the following link for details:

marine-diving-magazine-article-on-fm-visit.pdf

Foreign Minister Calls for Understanding and Cooperation between Islam and the West on Anniversary of 9/11

fm-shahid.jpg

11 September 2007: The Foreign Minister, H.E. Mr. Abdulla Shahid today marked the anniversary of  the September 11th atrocities in the United States by calling for increased understanding and cooperation between Islam and the West.

It is exactly six years since nearly 3,000 people were killed when four planes were hijacked and flown into New York’s World Trade Center, the Pentagon and a field in Pennsylvania.

Speaking on the anniversary, Mr. Shahid urged the Islamic World and the West to search together for the root cause of terrorism and extremism, which the vast majority of the world’s 1.6 billion Muslims continue to reject.

“We should focus on common ground between Islam and West,” he said. “Only then can we marginalize fundamentalist elements. We must educate the Islamic world and the West about the true meaning and teaching of Islam which is a religion of peace, tolerance and compassion, and one that rejects violence and terrorism”.

The Minister noted that a county like the Maldives, which has a long and proud history as a tolerant and peace-loving Muslim country, has an important contribution to make to the development of such an understanding.

Recalling the sentiments offered by H.E. President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom during a speech in July to the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, the Foreign Minister emphasized that Muslims everywhere have a duty and a responsibility to show the world through their words and deeds that Islam is a great religion that calls for friendship and peace. In particular, all Muslim countries should strive, through democratic and human rights reforms, to establish open and just societies in which the rights or every individual are fully honoured and respected.  For its part, the West should support such reforms not through intimidation or force, but through cooperation and dialogue.

“On the anniversary of 9/11” noted Mr. Shahid, “our thoughts are first and foremost with all those who lost loved ones and family members on that tragic day”.

“The Maldives utterly condemns all acts of terrorism wherever they are perpetrated. As we look back on the events of six years ago, our sadness and continued sense of outrage should be channeled towards ensuring that such atrocities are never again repeated. The only way to achieve this is for all communities, faiths, countries and peoples to work together in an atmosphere of friendship, understanding and cooperation”.