Case against Islamic Minister Shaheem

A case against Afiya Waheed, the wife of Minister of Islamic Affairs Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed, for forming a company with a businessman from Dubai who promised to contribute $10,000 per month to the Zakat fund, has been sent by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to the Prosecutor General’s Office.

Sun Online has come to know that the case was sent for prosecution last week.

A company registered under the name “Pure Gold Jewellers Maldives” lists its shareholders as Minister Shaheem’s wife Afiya Waheed and a businessman from Dubai, Firoz Ghulam Hussain.

Pure Gold Jewellers has more than 125 stores in the Middle East and Asia. In the company’s website, the Chairman Firoz Ghulam Hussain states that the company's aim is to open over 25 duty free locations across the world and that they are currently having discussions with Egypt, Malaysia, Indonesia and Maldives Duty Free to open new shops.

Prevention and Prohibition of Corruption Act of 2000 states it as an offence for the Chief Justice, the Speaker of the People’s Majlis, a member of the cabinet, a Minister of the State, or a person of similar status, the Auditor General, Commissioner of Elections, a Judge of the High Court of Maldives, an Atoll Chief, wives or husbands of such persons and from employees of government those decided by the President, their wives and husbands to run or manage any type of business in conjunction with foreigners.

The Act states that a person who commits such an offence shall be punishable with imprisonment, or banishment or house arrest not exceeding 3 years.