Foreign Minister Dr. Abdul Samad Abdulla passes away

Maldives Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Abdul Samad Abdulla has passed away.

Dr. Abdul Samad Abdulla, 67, died at 1:05 a.m. (Male’ time) Sunday morning, while being treated for ailing kidney and heart issues in Singapore’s Mount Elizabeth Hospital.

President Dr. Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik has declared the national flag to be flown at half-mast for three days starting Sunday.

“On behalf of the Government and people of the Maldives, and on his own behalf, President Waheed extends his heartfelt condolences, at this time of national tragedy, to the family of late Dr. Abdul Samad,” a President’s Office press statement read.

The statement continued to state that the President recognizes Dr. Abdul Samad Abdulla’s sincere services to the government and the people of Maldives, especially as the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Maldives, in strengthening diplomatic relations with other countries.

President telephoned Dr. Samad’s wife to personally convey his condolences.

President’s Office also revealed that in light of this recent tragedy, the President has decided to shorten his campaign travels to the atolls and return to Male’ soon.

Dr. Samad has held the post of Maldives Foreign Minister since March 2012, a period in which the Maldives faced some of the toughest foreign pressures experienced by the country in recent times.

The Foreign Minister was admitted in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Mount Elizabeth Hospital Singapore after suffering a heat attack last Thursday.

An official from the President’s Office said that Dr. Samad’s funeral has been scheduled for after Zuhr (afternoon) prayer in Singapore, today. Vice President Mohamed Waheed Deen, who is currently in Singapore, is reported to attend Dr. Samad’s funeral.