Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr. Ahmed Ziyad has assured funds attained through Rohingya aid campaigns have not been diverted to government accounts.
The funds were deposited to an account specialised for the cause, the Maldivian Islamic Minister said in an interview to PSM News. Islamic Minister Ahmed Ziyad also refuted rumors that funds received through donations were not returned to rightful owners, highlighting those rumors were spread to undermine the trust of the citizens on the government. Those funds were not deposted to any accounts linked to the government but was deposited to a special account opened in Bank of Maldives for the cause, according to the Minister.
In a statement released, Ministry of Islamic Affairs revealed a total of over USD 1.1 million was gathered via the nationwide telethon conducted in collaboration with media organisations, government authorities and non-governmental organisations to assist the Rohingya Muslims affected by the conflict in Myanmar. The details of the nationwide telethon were shared with all media outlets on November 17, 2017 and assured full commitment in delivering the donations to Rohingya Muslims, revealed Islamic Ministry.