Increasing volunteer work and developing altruistic characteristics in Maldivian society is a key goal for the new government, says Home Minister Imran Abdulla.

Minister Imran said this at an event on Friday night, where he highlighted the importance of volunteer and social work to societal unity.

In this regard, Imran said that Maldivians have found themselves immensely divided in the past years and that the government of which he is a part of aims to rectify this, and develop ‘trust and respect’ for one another.

Minister Imran further said that the cabinet has discussed forming a ‘web portal’ to unite volunteer workers and foster altruistic initiatives. In his speech, Imran used the Dhivehi word ‘Dharuma’, which means ‘righteousness’, rooted in the Sanskriti ‘Dharma’.

Imran also said that altruism is one of the highest ethical standards in Islam and that he hopes to see Maldives become a more just and generous nation.