Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture opened the office of recovering addicts who are working very hard to maintain their recovery. The office is situated adjacent to the Masjid al Wahdha. Island Chief, prominent local businesspersons and all registered recovering addicts visited the opening ceremony.
Mr. Ibrahim Sameeu, the project coordinator and in charge briefed all the activities that were conducted since its birth in March 1, 2008. He also highlighted the activities specially designed for the next year. Among them, a general survey targeted for recovering addicts and the public at large were noticeably inevitable. The office provides all sorts of books and materials beneficial for recovering addicts to stay clean.
Members of the recovering community were delighted by the support they got from high profile delegation. Their aim is to stay clean and educate others to prevent from entering into this evil addiction. One should never forget that relapse is a part of recovery cycle. You may relapse once, twice and even six times. In USA, an addict relapses twelve times on average before they recover fully. Nevertheless, bringing them back to the recovering community is important, thus Narcotics Anonymous (NA) provides solution for this. Today NA is weekly practiced here in Hulhumeedhoo initiated by the recovering addicts. Dr. Ibrahim Didi, Mr. Ilyas Ibrahim, Mr. Shafeeu and Mr. Labeeb signed in the dignitaries signing book. All encouraged the members of the foundation and advised to be engaged in doing works. Dr. Didi emphasized on the opportunities available in the field of agriculture and urged the members to work hard to become responsible citizen for the nation. View photos

Ilyas Labeeb, one of the fourteens known members contesting for the upcoming parliamentary election in February, opened his official campaign office in the Hulhudhoo. The famous businessperson Mr. Hussain Mohamed opened the Hulhudhoo campaign office. The opening ceremony was scheduled to be honoured by the Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture Dr. Ibrahim Didi who is on an official visit to Addu and Fuvahmulah as part of promoting his term of office. However, for reason unidentifiable Dr. Didi could not attend to honour the opening ceremony.
At the other end, Dr.Afeef opened his campaign office in Meedhoo. Dr, Afeef’s office is the same building previously used by the Jumuhooree party during the first round of presidential campaign for Mr. Gasim Ibrahim. Roumers are high on the streets of Hulhumeedhoo that Dr. Afeef is contesting for the seat of Hulhumeedhoo by a Jumuhooree Party ticket, as he is a council member of the party. Nevertheless, the question of Ilyas Labeeb’s sponsor is unknown. Many accuse that he is contesting for the parliamentary seat with MDP’s backing, which is something he denies always. Mr. Ilyas Labeeb justified that he is running for parliamentary seat to represent Hulhumeedhoo people not the MDP.Contestants are likely to flock in to Hulhumeedhoo in January next year to promote their candidacy. However, the exact number of contestants running for the parliamentary election is not known, yet more are expected to join the race. Contestants who have started their campaign in Hulhumeedhoo are Mr. Ahmed Didi, Mr. Hameed, Mr.Ilyas Labeeb, Dr. Afeef and Mr. Masood Ali. Indeed this competition is not going to be easy for any of these contestants.

The Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture Dr. Ibrahim Didi met with the people of Hulhudhoo and Meedhoo in Seenu Atoll School on his first official visit to the southernmost atolls of the nation yesterday. High profile members of the ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture and the newly assigned state minister for Addu and Fuvamulah accompanied with him. The meeting was mostly attended by the fishermen and farmers from Hulhumeedhoo. Minister answered to several question posed by the audience regarding the difficulties faced by farmers and fishermen.
The minister confirmed to the people of Hulhumeedhoo that their fish catch will no longer be dumped into the sea nor will be bought by MIFCO below the market price. “A large collector vessel will operate in this region and will be made available to accommodate all the fish catch all the whiles throughout Addu and Fuvahmulah,” confirmed the newly selected minister, Dr. Ibrahim Didi. He also affirmed to the people that two of the four cannery lines at Felivaru will be shifted to Hithadhoo fish processing plant due to be developed in the near future. “We will facilitate ways to make Felivaru products available in Addu at the same price as they are sold in Fasmeeru in Male’,” stated the minister. This means that during days of poor or no fish catch, Hulhumeedhoo people will have access to cheap fish cannery products within the island from the proposed STO shopping center.
Farmers were delighted as the minister assured to them that within a week’s time he would personally lend a hand in making a road to the east of Hulhumeedhoo where farms are booming. This would certainly pave way for bringing electricity to the firm fields, a much-awaited facility by farmers for ages since agriculture began in Hulhumeedhoo. “Fertilizers and other products will be available at the same price as in Male’,”” assured the minister. He confirmed to the people that the construction of a STO shopping center will commence soon, and urged the audience to find a suitable place for selling STO goods temporarily. The delighted Hulhumeedhooans immediately pointed there finger at old Health Center and suggested the place as the most viable and easily accessible point for both the islands. The minister in his speech signified the need for commemorating the Farmers Day but did not mention a particular day to be marked as the farmer’s day.
After the meeting, the minister visited Hera to observe the newly dredged channel between Meedhoo and Hera. “Though this has little connection to our ministry, we will consider helping you by directing your urge to the respective authorities in the government,” suggested the minister. As expectation for growth is surging in the blood of Hulhumeedhooans, opportunity for reef fishery different sorts of fishery is also expected to blossom. View Photos

Finally, the dream of average Meedhooans became a reality on Friday, after having excavated a long waited channel between Meedhoo and Hera. “Naturally the islands were separate before, we reclaimed to join it then as we felt necessary and now we feel it’s time to keep it separate again,” chanted the vast majority of Meedhoo public gathered near the excavation area. Albiet one faction of the island opposes the dredging of the channel and they accuse it politically driven.
However, the island chief Mr. Abdulla Rasheed officially executed the opening ceremony of dredging. Abdulla Rasheed is an instrumental figure in the development of Meedhoo. He works side by side with public’s sentiment, thereby deservedly holds a higher position in the community.
“In a near future this channel will become the main gateway for our fellow brothers and sisters of Fuvahmulah to enter into the Addu territory safely and quickly” Abdulla Ibrahim Didi excited. He justified that Fuvahmulah people will save huge sum of money on fuel expenses thereby reducing their travel time by thirty minutes. “On the other hand reef fishery will boom, erosion will be reduced and our lagoons will become clear like before,” he added. The northeast area behind Sunset and Wish Point Restaurent is almost dead. Few sea creatures survive in this particular area. The ocean current flows hardly thereby stopping the growth of algae and other plankton, which are the primary need for marine growth. As a result a foully smell preoccupies the region.
However, none did mention the foreseeable consequences of dredging such a channel now. The islands were separate before and reclaiming the land to join them had changed the environment dramatically. Critics say once the channel is dredged, the pressure made by huge waves from open sea will force the sand banks to accumulate into the harbor. They claim this could become disastrous for the existence of the harbour.
Two influential factions of the society disregarded their by political interests, are at the apple of discord. Despite, it had become a “must-go-and-watch” channel for the evening out goers of both Hulhudhoo and Meedhoo. According to the reliable sources, more than one thousand people had visited the area to see the channel and flow of ocean current yesterday alone. This could also be the beginning of attaining a reality to make a resort at Hera, something every single Meedhooans dreams of. View Photos

Every individual in Hulhumeedhoo is touched by the staggering speed of land erosion in northeast parts of Meedhoo, renowned in our times as “Maa Elhe”. During the past three months, an area of approximately 1250sq feet of land has swayed into the waters by the devastating force of waves while the foundations of two of the British Army armor shields (“Badi Buruz”s) that were built on the northeast coast during the Second World War have also been washed into the beach. These dramatical changes to the coastal area have become imminent after dredging harbours in both Hulhudhoo and Meedhoo. Analysts also speak against reclaiming land to make causeways between Hulhudhoo and Herathera and Meedhoo and Hera as the reason for land erosion.
Easy flow of water current is almost impossible around Hulhumeedhoo. “Pre Hulhudhoo-Herathera reclamation until late 1980s the lagoon was very beautiful and crystal clear,” stated Ali. It is the case with Meedhoo-Hera. Though the private cost of such a move had less impact on people in Hulhudhoo side, the social cost of it becomes astonishingly high in places close to the main two restaurants in Meedhoo.

FC Challengers of Hithadhoo beat FMD by 6-5 yesterday to become the champion of AMMSC for the second consecutive time in the “WakeUP” HSC Festival 2008. Penalty shootout declared victory for FC Challenger who was tested bravely by the unstoppable FMD side. Yesterday’s final match was regarded as a match between professional players. Finding Baka, Ammatie, Bonda, Nattey and Shaati on the play ground became a real showdown of professionals for the football crazy Adduans.
At the end of full time both the teams managed to find each others net just one time. National team players and first division players were marked to zero, however Bonda managed to score once in the first half. Their victory was neutralized when the silent and calm yet brainy marker of FMD Siman scored in the second half. He was instrumental in stopping the violent and vibrant Hithadhoo players. FMD swipper Ali Nazeer, who played inevitably influential role in the FMD defense, was second to none in the final match yesterday.
Yesterday’s final match of AMMSC brought hundreds of spectators to the ground. Analysts said an estimated number of 1200 supporters would have viewed the match. People of Hulhumeedhoo were behind FMD where as approximately 200 soccer fans of Bakaa, Bonda and Hithadhoo in general electrified the noise in the ground. FC Challengers’ fans were determined for the trophy second time. They carried banners saying that they were the “Champions”. Circumstances brought room for violence twice between the hooligans but the watchful organizing committee compromised the confrontations successfully.
The champion FC Challengers were awarded the trophy and cash prize of Mrf25,000. Runner-up of the match were awarded a trophy and cash prize worth Mrf10,000. Man of the match was Ali Nazeer of FMD where as Bonda became the man of the tournament and the top scorer with 24 goals. Munnim of FMD deservedly won the certificate for best goal keeping. Thallihi FC became the fair play team and its captain Ali Mohamed the fair player of the tournament.A children eve is also scheduled in the “WakeUp” HSC Festival 2008. According to the reliable sources within HSC the event will be held on Friday evening. The five day workshop for parents conducted by Ministry of youth ended last night. Some twenty five parents were recorded to have attended the seminar which was actually targeted for thirty parents. View Photos

In the second semifinal match played yesterday, FMD beat iTech by 7-1. In the final match scheduled to be played on December 17, 2008 FMD will meet the stronger side of Hithadhoo FC Challengers which consists of first division and national team players. In yesterday's match Mohamed Nasrah(Kiteyro) scored three times and was awarded the man of the match. However the fierce pressure by iTech during the first quarter of first half enabled them scoring once. Unlike the first half, FMD managed to takeover the controll of the game and widened the gap.

Preparations and redecoration of the football ground is underway this morning. Whole ground will be encirled by the billboards of "Maldivian" and National Narcotics Controll Board.

We wish both the teams perform very well in the final match. During the group stage match between these two sides, FMD won over FC Challengers.

The muscular and well-organized FC Challengers of Hithadhoo beat Thallihi FC in the first semifinal match of the AMMSC 08. Four goals conceded by FC Thallihi in the match were totally controlled by the mightier Hithadhooans. They comprise of four first division players. Among them Shamweel Gasim(Bonda) and Arif(Baka) are two of the key sides for the National team as well. The rising soccer star of Addu Nashid(Natte),Club Valencia, was instrumental in facilitating Shamweel Gasim score three goals in the match. The best talents of Hulhudhoo found absolutely no room in finding the net, as the captain Shaati was unbeatable. Shamweel Gasim was the man of the match.

Winner of tomorrow’s second semifinal match, due to be played between FMD and iTech, will decide who plays against the FC Challengers in the final match on 17th of this month. Although both the teams are from Meedhoo, it is highly unlikely that any of these sides will accept defeat. Both the teams have reportedly prepared very well for the semifinal and are believed that they will take tomorrow’s match very seriously. Indeed FC Challengers is most likely side to lift up the trophy for the second consecutive time.

Parental Awareness Program, a five-day workshop, is underway at Seenu Hulhudhoo School. The Ministry of Youth administers this event. According to HSC this is a limited workshop and participants should not miss the opportunity. “In Male’ you will not get option to attend such a seminar for the higher demand,” stated Mr. Ahmed Zahid, president of HSC.However, the turnover in general for this year’s festival is low unlike the previous times. Teams’ poor performances and lower respond to social activities signify the state of importance Hulhudhooans are paying for these sorts of activities. If these things do not take a positive turn quickly, HSC may consider hosting the festival elsewhere in Addu.

Villa Education Fair (Open Day) organized by HSC and Villa College ended last night at Seenu Atoll School. They introduced to the students some of the Bachelor’s Degrees courses available at Villa College. Bachelor of Educational Administration, Bachelor of Business Administration and Bachelor of Information Technology are among the degree level courses due to begin at villa college. Apart from these courses, they also put forward professional qualifications like CIMA, ACCA and CIM and many more diploma and certificate level courses. Among the visitors of the fair, a draw was conducted and the winner gets a free scholarship to study at Villa College. However, the winner did not attend the meeting but his/her number is 0011038.

After that, there was an interesting and motivating two hours of lecture by Dr.Anwar, former Director General of School System of ministry of education. He enlightened the various aspects and needs for career development. In his lecture, he tried to create positive energy among the fresh school leavers to pursue for higher studies in order to build a career. “We all eight brothers left our home, island, parents and went abroad to acquire knowledge to build a career” delighted Anwar. Husnu Suood, Dr. Munawwar, Zameer are among the well deserved. Dr. Anwar advised students to open up their mind to find out their potential and to work for it. He stressed on students not to stay here in island and end up their career just like that. He brought remarkable examples from his experience to convince the students of finding their potential to build a career. View Photos.

In the last match of group stage yesterday, Challengers beat AT sports by 16-2 goals. National team player Shamweel Gasim (Bonda) scored six goals while Addu born Valencia forward Naattey scored five goals. Former Thallihi FC forward Ahmed Azleem scored the only two goals for AT sports. Tomorrow Challengers will meet Thallihi FC in the first semifinal match. Meedhoo two sides, FMD and iTech will play the second semifinal match on December 15, 2008. As Challengers of Hithadhoo lifted the trophy in the last AMMSC in 2005 and the team comprise of National and first division players, they are the favorite for trophy this year as well.View Photos.

As winner of the tournament gets cash reward of Mrf25,000, all the teams tried their best to bring better footballers. Roumers are on spread that next years’ tournament will be of Mrf100,000 worth and the highest ever cash reward among atoll levels in the country. Many professional players are attracted towards this season of HSC Festival every year, strengthening of the tournament is inevitable.

The religious preaching event of “WakeUp” HSC Festival 2008 conducted in association with Ministry of Islamic Affairs have finished last night. Dr. Abdul Majeed Abdul Bari who chaired the event gave a two-hour sermon at Seenu Atoll School on the importance of intervening into the negative activities of the children. He draws references from holy Quran and the Sunnah of Prophet Mohamed (S.A.W) to address on these vital issues. Few people of 500 invitees turned up for the meeting.
“Weakening of our faith is largely responsible for many children's going astray,” Dr.Majeed said. He emphasized on parents to care their children and find out the whereabouts of their children always. According to him, it was derived that children these days get more free time on the streets and become vulnerable to crimes. “Every individual or organisation in the society has a huge duty of care to say no to the wrong doings in the community,” added Dr.Majeed. If all of us give a blind eye for the violence and crimes, then the whole community is called up for punishment from Almighty along with the wrong doers.

In yesterday's AMMSC 08, Thallihi FC won the match by 5-3 over AT Sports. This quarenteed Thallihi FC a place in the semi final. However AT Sports have opportunity to enter into semi final if they could win today's match against iTech of Meedhoo.

Villa Openday is underway at Seenu Atoll School today. Whoever enters the fair gets a coupan. Winner of the draw gets a scholarship to study in Villa College. According to the president of HSC Mr. Ahmed Zahid every year villa college will grant a scholarship to HSC and the oppportunity for winning the scholarship is open to Hulhumeedhuans.

"WakeUp" HSC Festival 2008 began with the kick off of the Abdul Muhusin Memorial Soccer Cup today. The festival began after two consecutive years of break since its start in 2002. Unlike previous times, “HSC Festival” is exclusively sponsored by National Narcotics Control Board this year, thereby renaming the festival to "WakeUp" HSC Festival 2008. Other sponsors of the festival include Villa Foundation, Maldivian, and Megachip. The son of Abdu Muhusin Mr. Ismail Rasheed honoured the opening ceremony. Other dignitaries of the reception include Mr. Moosa Fathuhy from Hi-Energy, Mr.Ahmed Didi of Sandhaan, Mr. Ilyas Labeeb of Megachip, Ms. Mariyam Shazleen Manager of BML Hulhumeedhoo branch and island chief.

According to HSC press release yesterday, major six events or activities are included in the festival. Apart from AMMSC 08, which began today, an island wide antidrug campaign will be held in association with NNCB to prevent fresh entry to alcohol and drugs abuse. They also aimed programs to rehabilitate the vast community of heroin addicts in Hulhumeedhoo. Ministry of youth (then) will conduct a parental awareness program where as the newly established Minitry of Islamic affairs will conduct religious awareness programs to strengthen the Islamic faith. In addition, an open day by Villa College will be held to introduce the opportunities of various courses available at Villa College. The closing of the festival will follow a community day for all.

Thallihi FC of Hulhudhoo and iTech from medhoo played the opening match. Thallihi FC won the match with 7-1 over iTech, which consists of younger generation of Meedhoo players. The man of the match is Abdulla Saniu (Barana) who scored two goals. According to tornament organizing committee, Challengers from Hithadhoo and FMD of Meedhoo will play tomorrow. Hithadhoo team is favourite for the trophy this year as it comprises of many national team players namely Bonda and Shaati and many more.

HSC festival always brings new life to Hulhumeedhoo. People from all ages come down to Hulhudhoo towards this season. This year an estimated number of 200 people have arrived island for the festival. If this trend is maintained annually like before then surely we will see better changes to the island. View Photos

Hulhumeedhoo has adopted a different way to welcome Eid this year. "EID MUBARAK" words were set on fire at 00:00 hours at the two ends of Hulhudhoo. The picture shows a specially decorated area at "DimishgKara". At the "AariThangado" the same activity took place. Hundreds of people have reportedly visited to see these activities by the youth of Hulhudhoo. Before setting fire on the words seven "Vazooka" shots were fired.

Vazooka is a specially designed gun that produces a loud noise like that of rocket launchers. When fired its voice reach all four corners of Hulhudhoo. Dozens of Vazooka are made for this year’s Eid and all will be set on fire nightlong. Eventhough many dislike this activity, few are supportive of this and keep cheering for their bravery.

Like all the special occasions, local parade was conducted by Hulhudhoo youth to celebrate coming of eid. This is the only activity people never fed up watching. On the main streets of Hulhumeedhoo, people flocked to watch it. It is so unique for the dresses they wore, makeup, equipments they use and the funny commands made by chief. View Photos

Two different activities to mark one thing are two BIG extremes. Much of the youth enjoy firing Vazooka, while public loves the local parade. Finding reconciliation to these conflicting interests of activities carried out by the same youth is far from insight. Police has several times requested the youth to stop firing Vazook as public complaints are on rise. However, they find it enjoying if police try to stop them. “We want police to chase us”, a Vazooka operator said.

Beliefs of the youth are so weird that they see things disrespected before good today. On special occasions like this, if one of the youth becomes a victim of these dangerous firing who would be responsible? We all should advice youth to do whatever they do within the limited boundary of independence. Once you break it your liable for charges by the law. Therefore it’s our responsibility to protect our youth from going astray, while trying to amuse the public on these kind of occasions. Eid Mubarak.

For decades people of Addu fought for establishment of resorts in their home land. Addu people compose more than 50% of country’s resort staff. They hold higher positions in the management of the hotels right from top to middle management and then to service staff. Addu people are renowned for their courtesy while dealing with tourists. Their longing for a resort finally came to a realization when the recently established public company, Maldives Tourism Development Corporation, developed a resort at Herathera. Hundreds of jobs were created, many utilized the opportunity but the social cost is outweighing the benefits otherwise.
Hulhumeedhoo and Hulhudhoo in particular is one of the black listed islands in the National Narcotics Control Board for illegal drug abuse. There is abundance of drug addicts in the society and they found the resort few steps from Hulhudhoo as an opportunity for them to stay “high” always. Most of the heroin addicts started getting soft drugs with the help of their companions based at Herathera secretly and in small quantity frequently. Studies show that the consumption of drinks is 6 out of every 10 working employees of the resort at Herathera.
However this partying phenomenon has now reached to an unpredictable level in Hulhumeedhoo particularly among the teenage community. There are confirmed reports saying that drinks are served in some of the restaurants in Hulhumeedhoo. Children as young as 12 years old are involved in these sorts of sinful parties, now regarded as a fashion among the youth. There are rumors of some middle aged men from both the islands having started consuming drinks. Certainly there are people but how many and which sorts of drinks they get from the resort are yet to be examined.
One would surely wonder how on earth the trouble-free passage of drinks from the nearby resort is possible. Post J Resorts management the consumption of drinks within the resort at Herathera and its free availability in Hulhumeedhoo were considerably low than its today. Many point their finger at the top management for weakening the control of drinks. They also accuse the drinking behavior of some of the management staff for the spread of drinks into the resort and to the nearby Hulhumeedhoo. If appropriate actions were not taken as quickly as possible then we would surely see the entire Hulhumeedhoo community submerge into a pool of bakardi!

The latest turmoil in the tourism sector of the country is expected to hit the economy by a greater margin considering the proposed irrational bill to extend lease period of resorts to 50 years while resort staff took on the streets of Male’ following the police intervention to disrupt Reethi Rah staff upraising for their deprived rights.
When some of the MDP MPs are consistently fighting in the parliament to justify their course for the proposed bill majority of the nation are raising their voice against it. They accuse the government for trying to find a safer heaven for resort owners who support MDP led administration financially and managerially. Ruling of such a bill would certainly abandon any opportunity for majority of the nation to benefit from the tourism sector, which has become the backbone of the economy since 1972. Economists are skeptical of the proposed bill as it may trigger economic downturn. They say this bill would facilitate the riches get richer and richer.
The new constitution of the country provides same or equal rights to resort staff as of civil service members. However, few of the almost 92 resorts in the country have started following the legislation. Yesterday we saw that Reethi Rah staff being terminated when they raised their voices to against their deprived rights. According to the police, they were called for help by the management of Reethi Rah to expel the staffs that were on strike for unfair dismissal. The combat between the police and the staff of Reethi Rah triggered turmoil in the tourism sector. The members of tourism association gathered near the Labour Relation Authority to support the Reethi Rah staff while the leader of the association broke his hand during the police intervention in Reethi Rah. They chanted the immediate resignation of the new tourism minister Mr. Ali Sawad. The upraising at Reethi Rah is expected to knock on all the resorts where injustice prevails.

If these problems are not resolved quickly and wisely, all the resorts in the country will suffer shortly. Now the question is how well these issues are going to be addressed in the parliament that is controlled by MDP led coalition MPs. As for the new government, an irrational ruling on these sensitive issues will surely fire back the government and economy as a whole.