Still have not received dates from Saudi: Islamic Ministry

Ministry of Islamic Affairs has revealed that they had not yet received the annual shipment of dates from Saudi Arabia.

Every year, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia donates dates to Islamic nations to mark the holy month of Ramadan.

The Ministry made the revelation following comments on social media. Several twitter users remarked that dates from Saudi Arabia had not been distributed.

TMJ’s parent paper, Dhiyares, questioned Ismail Afrah, Media Official of the Ministry, regarding the issue. The official said that the Ministry is yet to receive dates, adding that the dates had been shipped.

He also added that the Ministry will begin distributing the dates all across the country, once received.

“The Embassy said the dates had been shipped. Once we receive it, we will begin distributing all across the country,” he said.

With the exception of 2021, Saudi Arabia had always shipped 50 tons of dates to the Maldives. Last year, the amount was 25 tons. Therefore, the Ministry had distributed only to those listed as destitute, children in Kudakudhinge Hiyaa and Fiyavathi, individuals in the Special Needs Center in Guraidhoo island, and inmates under the care of Department of Corrections.