The official ceremony to mark 66 years of scouting in Maldives was held on Monday evening at Kurumba Maldives Resort.
Chief guest of this ceremony was Chief Scout and President of the Maldives His Excellency Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.
Along with president, Patron of the Scout Association and Minister of Education Dr. Aishath Ali and Minister at President’s office, Mr. Ahmed Sameer, attended this ceremony.
A special edition of “Scouting in Maldives” magazine was unveiled by Patron of the Scout Association and Minister of Education Dr. Aishath Ali.
The scout portal was launched by the Minister at President’s office, Mr. Ahmed Sameer. Scout portal was designed and developed to ease the administrative and financial management of scout groups and scouts. In addition to this, this portal will be the virtual logbook of scouts, where they can track their progress and work on the youth programme more conveniently.
Chief Scout presented the highest award of the Scout Association of Maldives, Silver Tuna and highest award for scouts, Presidents Scout Award.
Silver Tuna is awarded to the adult leaders with eminent achievements and meritorious service to the scout association for a period of at least 20 years. This year, Silver Tuna was awarded to 4 individuals who have greatly contributed to the scouting in Maldives.
Silver Tuna Recipient, Mr. Ahmed Imad Mohamed
Mr. Ahmed Imad Mohamed joined the scout movement in 1960 when he was studying at Sri Lanka’s Wesley College. Later he joined scouting at Egypt’s Al Azhar University and completed his leader training in the university scout group. After returning from Egypt, he was appointed as the first Maldivian scout master of Majeediyya School. He also played a key role in establishing the Scout Association of Maldives. Mr. Ahmed Imad Mohamed still continues to serve scouting through his scout library, Imad’s Scout Library and provide resources and guidance to scout groups throughout the country. He received Bronze Coconut Award from the scout association of Maldives for his contribution to the scouting in Maldives. In 2000, he was awarded the Asia Pacific Regional Chairman’s award in recognition of his outstanding service to the scout movement.
Silver Tuna Recipient, Mr. Abdulla Rasheed
Mr. Abdulla Rasheed joined the scout movement as a scout of Majeediyya school’s First male’ Scout Group in 1960. He then led the formation of the scout association of Maldives in 1984 and served as the Deputy Chief Commissioner and later as a Chief Commissioner of the newly formed Association. Abdullah Rasheed’s services to establish the Scout Association of Maldives include, the development of the newly formed association POR’s, the commencement of national scout jamborees, the introduction of training programs for scout leaders and the introduction of service scouts. Abdulla Rasheed also played an important role in obtaining membership of the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM) for the Maldives. He previously served as the regional director of World Scout Bureau’s Asia Pacific Regional Scout Office and as the advisor to the secretary general of WOSM. In recognition of his services to the scout movement, Abdullah Rasheed was awarded the Bronze Wolf by WOSM in 2013.
Silver Tuna Recipient, Mr. Ahmed Ali Maniku
Mr. Ahmed Ali Maniku joined scouting as a scout of Majeediyya school in 1965. After the establishment of the Scout Association, he began serving as the treasurer of the association in1988. He later became the chief commissioner and served as a chief commissioner for total 9 years on two different occasions. Under the leadership Ahmed Ali Maniku, the scouting movement achieved numerous achievements including the National Award for Recognition for Public Service, Green Leaf award for the environmental services. Mr. Ahmed Ali Maniku has received the Chairman’s award from the Asia Pacific Regional Scout Office, in recognition of his service to the scout movement.
Silver Tuna Recipient, Mr. Ismail Shafeeg
Mr. Ismail Shafeeg joined scouting in 1963, when he was studying at Majeediyya school. To the serve scout movement, he later joined the Scout Association of Maldives in 1988 and served as the International Commissioner. He worked with then Deputy Chief Commissioner, Mr. Abdullah Rasheed to obtain the membership of WOSM to Maldives. He also served as the Vice-President and President of the Scout Association of Maldives. Mr. Ismail Shafeeg was presented with the Award for Good Service by the Asia Pacific Regional Scout Office.
Presidents Scout Award is the highest rank of the scout section and is awarded to young people who has thoroughly trained themselves in scouting skills and used them in daily life and after a completion of a project which will contribute to the community development. This year two scouts received President’s Scout Award.
Presidents Scout, Mr. Mohamed Ulwan Muaz
Mohamed Ulwan Muaz joined scouting as a cub scout in 2009 at Thinadhoo School, GDH. Thinadhoo. After starting his studies in Majeediyya school, school’s scout group, First Male’ Scout Group. He completed Advance scout standard and bushman’s thong in 2020 and completed a total of 30 proficiency badges. Ulwan is now studying Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and International Relations at Maldives National University.
Presidents Scout, Mr. Mohamed Shauf Rilwan
Mohamed Shauf Rilwan joined scouting as a cub scout in 2009 at Kalaafaanu school. He completed his president scout award requirements at Majeediyya school and completed 30 proficiency badges. He completed advance scout standard and bushman’s thong in 2020. He was the Best all round scout of Majeediyya school in 2018. Shauf is currently doing his undergraduate degree in International Tourism Management at the Maldives National University.
The President of The Scout Association of Maldives assured that the vision of the council is to address the issues as highlighted by the chief scout and announced that as a first step 4 community scout groups will be established before the end of this year. President of the Scout Association Mr. Mohamed Nazeef awarded the token of appreciation to sponsors who have contributed to scouting in Maldives in the period 2021/2022. Kurumba Maldives, MTCC, Coral Shipping and Logistics, The Hawks Pvt Ltd, Blek Foundation, Coca-Cola Maldives, Fenaka Cooperation and Ooredoo Maldives was recognized for their invaluable support to the Scout Association of Maldives.
