Record Number Of Worshippers At Friday Prayer

A record number of worshippers prayed at the country’s biggest mosque on Friday, the first Friday prayer since the new president was sworn in.The afternoon prayers were conducted by a renowned Islamic scholar and Adaalaath party key member Sheikh Ilyas Hussain, Miadhu reports.New President Mohamed Nasheed, Islamic Affairs Minister Dr. Abdul Majeed Bari and some other ministers attended the prayer.This is the first Friday after President Nasheed assumed office on Tuesday since winning the first multi-party presidential election of the country.In his sermon Sheikh Ilyas said that the greatest blessing bestowed on the people is the religion of Islam and appealed to the people to follow their faith diligently and faithfully.He also said Islam calls for unity and solidarity among the people.

New Home Minister Meets Police

Newly appointed Minister for Home Affairs, Gasim Ibrahim, has met the Commissioner and Senior Officers of the Maldives Police Service.In the meeting, Minister Gasim Ibrahim said he was pleased with the level of professionalism with which the police have conducted their duties during the Presidential election.He said he will try to improve the quality of service and look at ways to further reduce crime, and thanked the previous Home Minister.Police Commissioner Adam Zahir congratulated Gasim Ibrahim on his appointment as the new Home Minister, according to Miadhu.

Man Arrested In Connection To Jeep Arson

Police have arrested a man suspected to have set fire to two jeeps inside a garage in Seenu atoll Meedhoo last Saturday.Ahmed Najeeb, 31, was arrested in connection to the fire, which police have said was arson.He was also arrested last April for smashing the windows of a shop in Seenu atoll Hulhudhoo called ‘Island Casual’, police have said.Police say they believe others were involved but they do not have enough evidence to arrest them as yet, reports Haveeru.Police had found a yellow plastic 20-litre can, containing some amount of petrol, around 70 feet away from the garage, according to Hassan Habeeb, head of the serious and organised crime unit.While owners had said the move was politically motivated, Habeeb said there had been nothing to suggest this, according to Haveeru.

Schools Closed For Holidays

Schools were closed down for the year-end holidays on Thursday, reports Haveeru.The Education Ministry said schools in Maldives had been closed after students were issued their reports forms and that they will reopen on 11 January 2009.

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