Court begins proceedings to declare Mushifq’s death, assures speed

L. Maavah Magistrate Court has commenced proceedings to declare the death of 25-year-old Ali Mushfiq Mohamed, a Maavah resident who went missing after ‘Holhudhoo Boat’ caught fire on April 2nd.

Mushfiq’s birth island, Maavah, scheduled a funeral in absentia for Mushifq after Friday prayer, last Friday, on the presumption that he is dead.

However, on Thursday night, Islamic Minister Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed said a funeral prayer can only be held for a missing person once they are declared dead legally by the court. He also referenced some scholars, who state the death of the missing person should be declared four years after they had gone missing.

The Minister expressed his belief that a judge can declare an individual who has gone missing at sea dead before four years if they are highly likely to have died in the incident. 

As such, the funeral prayer of Mushfiq scheduled for Friday afternoon, was cancelled.

Minister Shaheem later reported that following discussions with Mushfiq’s family, it has been decided efforts will be undertaken to hold his funeral prayer following Friday prayer this Friday after declaring his death via court in accordance with Islamic principles.

Maavah Magistrate Court has commenced proceedings to declare Mushfiq’s death. In this regard, the first hearing in the case was held last night.

Maavah Council President Ahmed Moosa told Sun that the Court, after last night’s hearing, has scheduled another one for today as well.

Speaking with Sun, an official from Maavah Magistrate Court said it is unlikely Mushfiq’s funeral can proceed as planned tomorrow. While an additional hearing has been scheduled for today, the official said the Court was questioning Maldives Police Service and Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) regarding matters that need clarification.

Apart from this, the official said the Court required additional testimony to prove the death. While no additional details were provided, the official assured that the court proceedings would not take long.

Meanwhile, when questioned on Thursday, MNDF’s Spokesperson confirmed that search efforts for Mushfiq have not been ceased. The authority said it will proceed with matters they need to investigate, even if the funeral prayer is held.

According to MNDF, the fire at ‘Holhudhoo Boat’ which was traveling across Thaa Atoll, was reported to the authority at 21:07pm on April 2^nd.

The boat was carrying a total of 18 people at the time of the fire. MNDF confirmed 17 of them had been rescued and identified the missing passenger as Mushfiq.