Saudi Arabia donates 50 tons of dates to the Maldives
The Saudi Arabian government officially handed over 50 tons of dates to the Ministry of Islamic Affairs today, which the government has decided to distribute to the general public across Male' and the atolls. This aid comes at a time of heightened public concern following previous instances where donated dates were distributed to state institutions rather than being provided directly to citizens.
From the ceremony held to mark Saudi Arabia's donation of 50 tons of dates to the Maldives. | Islamic Ministry | islamic_ministry
The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) of Saudi Arabia has donated 50 tons of dates to the Maldives.
A special ceremony was held on Thursday at the Islamic Centre's seminar hall to officially hand over these dates to the Ministry of Islamic Affairs.
The dates were officially presented on behalf of Saudi Arabia by Yahya bin Hassan Al-Qahtani, the Saudi Ambassador to the Maldives. Minister Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed accepted the gift on behalf of the Ministry.
While Saudi Arabia has donated 50 tons of dates, a controversy has emerged regarding an additional 15 tons gifted to the Ministry by the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah, and Guidance for the month of Ramadan. It has been alleged that these dates were distributed to various institutions rather than being issued to the general public.
Every year, the Maldives receives a donation of dates from the Saudi Arabian government ahead of the holy month of Ramadan. However, members of the public have expressed concerns this year as the shipment has yet to arrive.
Regarding the matter, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs stated at the time that the Maldives would receive 50 tons of dates, which would be distributed to the public. The Ministry further noted that the dates would be provided to the islands in the atolls in addition to Male' City.
During last year's Ramadan, the Saudi government donated 50 tons of dates to the Maldives, while the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah, and Guidance provided an additional 10 tons. These dates were distributed to households prior to the start of the holy month.
