Turkey to support establishment of Islamic center in Hulhumale’

Maldivian Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid states Maldives has received a positive response from Turkey regarding its request for support to establish an Islamic center in suburban Hulhumale’. 

Shahid made the remark in his statement at a joint press conference with his Turkish counterpart Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu on Sunday afternoon. 

Shahid said that he had requested support from Turkey for the establishment of an Islamic center in Hulhumale’ during discussions with Çavuşoğlu earlier. 

“I am also pleased to note that the request has been received positively by the Government of Turkey that we will receive the support of Turkey for this project,” he said. 

Shahid said the Islamic center will be a beacon of hope and Islamic unity, and a symbol of the perpetual relations between Maldives and Turkey. 

“Given the expertise of Turkey in this field, I have no doubt that this important project will greatly benefit from your assistance,” he said. 

Shahid said he also discussed the current development priorities of Maldives with Çavuşoğlu, including the ongoing national apprenticeship program. 

Shahid said he requested Turkey’s support for the program. 

"The successful implementation of this program will result in increased participation of young women in skilled areas and reduce youth unemployment in the Maldives,” he said. 

Shahid said that the on-going COVID-19 pandemic had proven that common challenges must be addressed by working together.  

“With new and emerging threats to global peace and security on the rise, we must voice our solidarity and engage in meaningful discussions to navigate through these challenges,” he said. 

Shahid said that Maldives and Turkey collaborate on and support each other on important multilateral initiatives at the United Nations, and especially within the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on issues of importance to the Islamic Ummah.  

“Maldives recognizes the key role of Turkey in these organizations and on behalf of the Government of the Maldives, I express my profound gratitude to the Government of Turkey for its exemplary leadership,” he said. 

Çavuşoğlu concluded his visit and departed from Maldives on Sunday afternoon. 

During his visit, Çavuşoğlu and Shahid witnessed the conclusion of five key agreements between Maldives and Turkey in the areas of trade and economic cooperation, agriculture, culture and cooperation between the Foreign Service Institute of Maldives and the Diplomacy Academy of Türkiye. 

Turky has also agreed to sign an agreement on visa free travel to Turkey for Maldivian nationals. 

Çavuşoğlu also paid a courtesy call on Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, and Parliament Speaker, President Mohamed Nasheed. 

Çavuşoğlu’s visit marked the first official visit by Turkish Foreign Minister to Maldives.