Minister of Islamic Affairs of Maldives, Dr. Ahmed Ziyad has stated donations collected via the state initiated Rohingya telethon have been handed over to the Bangladesh Red Crescent.
Expressing concern over defamatory rumors regarding the ministry’s handling of funds collected via the Rohingya telethon, Maldivian Islamic Minister Dr. Ahmed Ziyad revealed that the delay in depositing the funds was due to administrative errors. Minister Ziyad assured that funds have now been handed over to their rightful owners.
In the interview given to PSM News, Minister Ziyad said, funds amounting to over MVR 18 million were converted to U.S dollars and transferred to the bank account of the Bangladesh Red Crescent. The rumors that claimed that the government had misappropriated funds generated through the Rohingya aid campaign, were attempts to weaken the citizen's trust for the government, stated the Islamic Ministry.
The minister revealed, the ministry has now requested relevant authorities to launch a probe into the matter.
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.