Culture
There is a vibrant native culture in the
Maldives, with distinctive music, dance and crafts.
There is also a modern literary tradition.
The state is pursuing a powerful policy to preserve
the Maldivian culture from foreign influence. For that
reason, tourists are referred to special islands and are
not allowed to move freely among the Maldives.
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Countryaah:
Latest population statistics of Maldives, including religious profiles and major languages spoken as well as population growth rates in next three decades.
Bodu beru is a traditional music and dance style,
based on the rhythm of a large drum (which also means
the name). A group performing bodu beru has four to six
members and the music has strong African influences.
There are also local rock bands who sing on divehi
(Maldivian) and have elements of bodu beru in their
music.
Among the traditional crafts are paint works and
crafts made by seashells.
 2019
November
Abdulla Yamin is sentenced to prison
November 28
President Abdulla Yamin is sentenced to five years in prison for money
laundering. According to the court, he has moved a million dollars from one of
his accounts to avoid the investigators. He must also have bribed witnesses to
silence. Investigators say Yamin has millions of dollars invested abroad.
June
The ties to India are strengthened
June 8
The Maldives will be visited by Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi, who
will begin his second term with a visit to the Ear Republic. Together with
President Solih, Modi inaugurates a coastal radar system and a military training
center, both Indian-financed. The Maldivian island world is spreading across one
of the world's busiest waters and is therefore strategically important for the
two major powers China and India, which compete for influence over the country.
The Solih government is India-friendly while the presidents Yamin and Rajapaksa
worked closely with China. President Solih and Modi promise to cooperate in the
fight against piracy, terrorism, organized crime and smuggling through increased
patrols of the waters, air surveillance and exchange of information. Earlier in
2019, India pledged $ 800 million in credits to the Maldives,
May
The verdict against the former vice president is torn down
May 20
The verdict against former Vice President Ahmed Abid is annulled by a court
ordering that the trial against him be remanded. The court when they judged the
first legal process to be "politically motivated". In 2016, Abid was sentenced
to 15 years in prison for attempted murder of then President Abdulla Yamin when
an explosion occurred aboard his yacht (see September 2015,
October 2015 and November 2015 and
June 2016).
April
The MDP gets its own majority in parliament
April 6
In the parliamentary elections, the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) receives
as much as 75 percent of the vote, securing 65 of the 87 seats in the
legislative assembly. Party leader Mohamed Nashid promises far-reaching
political reforms and an end to corruption in politics. The MDP's election
result is an increase of 39 seats compared to the 2014 election. The second
largest is the Republican Party (RP) with 5 seats. President Abdullah Yamins
Maldives Progressive Party (PPM) gets 5 seats, down 28 seats since the 2014
election. Twelve seats are split between a couple of small parties and
independent candidates. The turnout is 73.5 percent.
February
Yamin is being investigated for bribery and money laundering
February 18
A criminal investigation is being launched against President Yamin, who is
suspected of trying to bribe people who will testify against him in a money
laundering case. Yamin is accused of illegally receiving nearly $ 1.5 million
during the election campaign in the fall of 2018 and placing the money in
foreign banks. His assets totaling around $ 6.5 million abroad are now frozen.
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