Minister of Cities, Local Government and Public Works Adam Shareef Umar has revealed that MVR 28 million will be spent on lights and decorations for the Eid celebrations this year.

Responding to a question by a journalist from RaajjeTV at a press conference held at the President's Office on Thursday, Minister Shareef said that the lights and decorations brought for Eid will be used to illuminate not only Malé City but also islands across outlying atolls, and that they will be usable for many days.

Referring to the lights and decorations being brought this time, Minister Shareef said that they are being brought for 36 islands that do not have lights and decorations. He added that the total cost for these 36 islands would be a maximum of MVR 28 million.

When asked if it was important to spend MVR 28 million on Eid lights at a time when the International Monetary Fund (IMF) advised taking special measures to reduce expenditure due to the country's economic situation, Minister Shareef did not give a direct answer.

Instead, Minister Shareef said that the Maldives is progressing and that Maldivians are people who greatly love civilization and beauty. He added that with Eid lights, Islamic unity is preserved, and that Maldivians have great love and respect for this.