Pregnancy is a deeply personal and transformative experience for every mother. Marked by significant physical changes and heightened emotions, it is a time often remembered with great sensitivity and care. For most couples, these months are dedicated to creating a safe, supportive environment, nurturing not just the physical well-being of the mother, but also the emotional connection and shared anticipation that define this unique chapter in their lives.

Yet few would expect to endure serious hardship during pregnancy as a result of government harassment. Unfortunately, this is the painful reality confronting Fathimath Shifanaaz of Hoarafushi island in Haa Alif atoll, at present.

Shifanaaz, a working mother of three young daughters, is currently preparing to welcome her fourth child. Despite having a key job title on the island and nearing the final stages of her pregnancy, she was recently subjected to a deeply distressing turn of events. Her husband, Mohamed Ashfam, who served as the Airport Manager of Hoarafushi, was abruptly transferred to a different island, with no prior notice, and by nothing more than a phone call.

In a Facebook post that quickly garnered attention on social media, Shifanaaz opened up about the emotional and physical toll she has endured during her pregnancy. She began by describing the pain a mother’s body goes through during this period, a pain, she wrote, that is borne out of love for her children.

At the heart of her message was the abrupt transfer of her husband Ashfam, from his post as Airport Manager at Hoarafushi to the island of M. Muli, a decision she believes was driven by political motives. Shifanaaz recounted the distress of having her husband “driven out of” from their home at a critical moment, just as she approached childbirth and needed his support the most. She did not mince words, calling the government's action cruel.

The depth of her frustration was evident as she turned to social media to voice a broader concern, questioning whether political power struggles and party rivalries are compromising the wellbeing of families and the future of young children. In her emotional post, she argued that depriving children of family love due to political interference is not only unjust, but a clear indication that those responsible are unfit to lead.

The post quickly gained traction across social media, amassing over 140 shares within just five hours. Its rapid spread reflects growing public concern over job insecurity and the emotional toll it takes on ordinary citizens. The comments beneath the post echo a common theme, stories of fear, instability, and the far-reaching consequences of politically motivated employment decisions.

But what led Shifanaaz to make such a post in the first place?

At the time President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu assumed office, Mohamed Ashfam held the top position at Hoarafushi Airport. However, even before the parliamentary elections, deliberate efforts were made to undermine his authority. According to information received by RaajjeMV, a new individual was placed above Ashfam, effectively sidelining him and issuing directives that stripped him of operational control.

Following the change in administration, Ashfam was further isolated from his official duties. In direct contradiction to RACL’s own policies, he was removed from his core responsibilities and subjected to systematic pressure. Sources confirm that he was left without meaningful work, not even provided a chair or desk, effectively rendered "useless" within the very workplace he once managed. Notably, this treatment was not the result of any professional misconduct.

In December 2023, then-MP for the Hoarafushi constituency, Ahmed Saleem, raised the issue in a formal letter to the People’s Majlis, highlighting that the airport was being operated in violation of RACL’s policies. Yet, despite the seriousness of the complaint, no response was issued by the government before the end of that parliamentary term.

According to a reliable source in Hoarafushi familiar with the situation, Ashfam was informed of his transfer from Hoarafushi Airport last Wednesday, via a phone call. Upon hearing the news, Ashfam reportedly told RACL officials that his wife was nearing childbirth, and that relocating at such a critical time would impose severe hardship. Despite this, he was told bluntly that “there’s no other way.” Within two to three days, Ashfam received a formal written notification of his transfer to Muli island, along with a travel ticket.

RaajjeMV has made several attempts to contact both Ashfam and his wife for a comment, but received no response, leaving their perspective and the official reasons for the transfer unclear.

However, sources from the island have revealed to RaajjeMV that Ashfam had been repeatedly approached to join the ruling party, People’s National Congress (PNC). Senior party activists allegedly told him that “everything would be fine” if he simply submitted membership forms and engaged with party members.

There are strong suspicions that Ashfam’s transfer is a form of political pressure following his refusal to run in the upcoming council elections under the PNC banner. He is also accused of campaigning to contest on behalf of the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP). A trusted source further noted that Ashfam is known for openly criticizing the government’s misconduct and using social media to raise his voice against injustices.

A close associate of Ashfam told RaajjeMV that following the sudden decision to transfer Ashfam to another island, they sought help by meeting with Ali Moosa, the People’s Majlis member for Hoarafushi constituency. However, the response they received was deeply disappointing.

According to the source, Ali Moosa appeared to downplay the situation, suggesting that the government’s continued employment of Ashfam had been a favor rather than a right. “Ali Moosa spoke to some people in a manner implying that Ashfam’s transfer was directly influenced by him,” the source revealed. Efforts to obtain a comment from Ali Moosa have so far been unsuccessful.

Hoarafushi residents commenting on social media have also pointed to Ali Moosa’s significant role in the transfer, fueling criticism of the government’s pervasive use of political influence to undermine job security. There is growing concern that threatening employees with termination or forced transfers for political reasons has become a common practice. Recent news reports highlight numerous cases of sudden suspensions, disciplinary actions, terminations, and transfers of government workers across the Maldives, with Hoarafushi alone seeing multiple such incidents. These developments underscore an alarming pattern of political interference in public sector employment.