City council charged with maintaining mosques, cemeteries, mortuaries

The Male’ City Council has been charged with maintaining all mosques, cemeteries and mortuaries located in the Maldivian capital.

The responsibility of maintaining the facilities – which previously lay with Ministry of Islamic Affairs – was transferred to Male’ City Council this Monday.

The agreement for the transfer of responsibilities was signed by Deputy Mayor Shamau Shareef in a ceremony held at the Ministry of Islamic Affairs this Monday morning.

Speaking to press after signing the agreement, Deputy Mayor Shamau said that maintaining mosques, cemeteries and mortuaries was now the City Council’s responsibility. And provided assurance the work will be carried out in a decentralized manner.

“Having these facilities under the charge of Ministry of Islamic Affairs had posed multiple challenges in the past,” said Shamau.

He said the City Council would pay special attention to maintaining the cleanliness of the facilities.

“We will keep a close eye on this. We have now established a special committee to oversee this work. We will work closely with the people,” said Shamau.

The previous administration had transferred many of the responsibilities and authorities of city and island councils. And the current administration has promised to restore all powers of city and island councils within its first 100 days in office and amend the Decentralization Act.