Maldives to become the world’s first carbon neutral country; 17-member committee in collaboration with the Ministry of Islamic Affairs formed to tackle conflicting religious issues
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    • In a significant development, the Maldivian government declared that it would be the world’s first carbon neutral country. President Nasheed noted that this would enable his country to become the penultimate destination for “environmentally conscious tourists.” BBC estimated that Maldives would have to spend $110 million per year to make the transition to renewable energy sources1.

    Report noted that a number of government institutions have joined forces to establish a 17-member committee in collaboration with the Ministry of Islamic Affairs in order to tackle conflicting religious issues within the country. The committee will debate controversial religious matters of national importance and discuss ways of dealing with them both prudently and in a legally sound manner. Reports for instance in 2008 noted that a severe crackdown was launched by the authorities in 1998 which resulted in the imprisonment and torture of 50 Maldivians suspected of being Christians and the expulsion of 19 Christian expatriates2. Islamic extremism was also on the rise with three Maldivians being arrested for illegally entering the Waziristan region of Pakistan in the first week of March. Sources indicated that they intended to train for jihad in Pakistan3.

    In other developments, the Japanese government extended a $4 million grant to the Maldivian government to purchase wheat flour, one of the staple food items of the country4.

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