Islamic Minister cancels announcement to build fish pond

Islamic Minister Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed said on Thursday that an announcement posted the previous day seeking a contractor to build a fish pond at the Islamic Center in Male’ City has been cancelled.

On Wednesday, the Islamic Ministry published an announcement seeking a contractor to build a fish pond near the minaret at the Islamic Center. The ministry said the pond was being built to mark the Islamic Ministry’s 40th anniversary.

But in a press statement on Thursday morning, Shaheem said he had instructed for the announcement to be cancelled “as such a project is inappropriate given the country’s current economic situation.”

The Islamic Center has a years-old water fountain near the minaret. Shaheem said on Thursday that the ministry is working on renovating the fountain.

The decision comes with government offices and companies instructed to cut down costs.