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With the new Zakat law that came into effect today in the Maldives, an official institution has been established under the name "Maldives Zakat House" to strengthen and manage Zakat-related matters. The implementation of this law starting from January 1, 2026 is an important step towards further strengthening the system of collecting, managing, and distributing Zakat, and carrying out the work in a transparent manner. Under this new system, the work of providing Zakat funds to those in need in various social and economic sectors will be officially carried out through the Zakat House starting today.

To celebrate the beginning of the year 2026, very colorful events were held in Hulhumalé, and among these, the sky was greatly illuminated by the fireworks and drone show. A large number of people gathered in Hulhumalé to watch these events, and this was a special event held to welcome the new year. The skillful movements of the drones displayed using modern technology and the colorful firework displays brought great joy to the public.

MNDF Coast Guard and Police jointly conducted a special operation on January 1, 2026 to rescue a cargo ship named "Hawassa" that was in distress while traveling near Fuvahmulah. At the time of the incident, security forces went to the area where the boat was located and provided assistance to safely rescue the people and cargo on board. As part of this rescue operation, work has now begun to bring the ship to a safe harbor.

A person convicted in a case of sexual harassment under the guise of Ruqya was sentenced to jail today. The court issued this sentence on January 1, 2026, after evidence confirmed that people were sexually harassed and abused by deception under the guise of religious treatment. As the charges brought by the state against the person involved in this case were proven, he was ordered to be imprisoned for a specific period. This is a severe punishment given to those who commit such dangerous acts for the safety of the society.

A Maldivian pilgrim who went to Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah passed away on Thursday, January 1, 2026. This tragic incident occurred while the person was engaged in the sacred act of Umrah, and while no further details about the deceased have been released by official authorities. Following this incident on the first day of the new year in a holy land, condolences to the family and prayers for the deceased have increased. It is believed that the funeral prayers and burial arrangements for the deceased pilgrim will proceed in accordance with the regulations of the Saudi government.

Public Service Media (PSM) officially released the book "Last 52 Weeks," prepared with important news and events of the past year, on 1 January 2026. Along with this book, the "Air TV" application was also introduced to the public on the same date as part of PSM's expansion of digital services. This new application is designed to open up the opportunity to easily watch TV channels and entertainment programs through modern means. In addition, the "Last 52 Weeks" book is a record compiled to show the important political, social, and economic events of the past year in the Maldives in one book.

Visit Maldives has officially launched a special platform named 'Creatol' on January 1, 2026, to advertise and promote the talents of Maldivian artists and artisans in the international arena. The main objective of this project is to increase the involvement of artists in promoting tourism in the Maldives and to seek opportunities for their products in the global market. Through this platform, Maldivian artists will have the opportunity to showcase their own creations, and this is an important step towards introducing Maldivian culture and artistry to tourists. Launched to coincide with the new year, this initiative is an extraordinary effort by Visit Maldives to increase the economic self-sufficiency of Maldivian artists.

The Ministry of Islamic Affairs has initiated consultations to seek public input regarding important areas to be included in Khutbahs, with the aim of increasing public participation in determining the topics of Friday Khutbahs, starting on 1 January 2026. The main objective of this initiative is to open opportunities to base Khutbahs on topics relevant to the public, taking into consideration the religious and social issues in the society. These consultations have provided a platform for the general public and religious scholars to share information needed to improve the quality of Khutbahs and to find solutions to modern issues within Islamic standards.

The government has opened the opportunity to apply for the newly constructed housing units in B. Thulhaadhoo and Th. Vilufushi on January 1, 2026. The opportunity to apply for the flats to be issued under this project has been opened to the citizens of these two islands with the aim of providing a permanent solution to the housing problem faced in those islands. Arrangements have now been made for those applying for these housing units to submit forms through the online portal.

The Maldives Culture and Food Festival, which started on the first day of January 2026, is an event held to showcase the rich culture and culinary tastes of the Maldives. The purpose of this festival is to increase public awareness of Maldivian products, in addition to cultural performances and cultural sports, and to provide tourists with the opportunity to experience Maldivian hospitality. This event includes a variety of food stalls and showcases the talents of Maldivian artists, making it a colorful event held in conjunction with the start of the New Year.

On the first day of implementing the 2026 budget, the public and politicians began expressing major concerns because adequate funds had not been allocated to address the housing problem in the Maldives. On January 1, 2026, this issue escalated because reports indicate that this year's financial arrangements do not optimally reflect the budget needed to complete housing projects and accommodate the growing population. This has raised questions about rising rents and the adverse changes that will occur in the public's standard of living, and many are calling for a review of the government's budget allocation.