Minister Shaheem says Islamic Ministry has responded to all information inquiries despite ICOM fine

Islamic Minister Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed says the ministry has responded to all information‑disclosure inquiries received so far, after the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICOM) fined the ministry for failing to attend two scheduled hearings.

ICOM imposed a total fine of MVR 700 on Monday, stating that the ministry’s repeated absence obstructed the commission’s ability to carry out its duties. The first hearing was initially set for February 3 and postponed at the ministry’s request, before being rescheduled for Sunday and then moved to Monday.

In a post on X on Monday evening, Minister Shaheem said the ministry places high importance on transparency and complies with all laws governing access to information. He said the ministry has answered every submission received so far in accordance with legal requirements and maintains a close working relationship with the media.

Shaheem said the fine was issued because the ministry had not formally notified ICOM of its absence from Monday’s hearing.

ތިރީގައި މިވަނީ މިނިސްޓްރީ އަށް ހުށަހެޅުނު އާރުޓީއައިގެ ތަފްޞީލު.

2024 ގައި ހުޅައެޅުނު އާރުޓީއައިގެ ތަފްސީލް:
- މިނިސްޓްރީއަަށް ލިބުނު: 60
- ⁠ޖަވާބު ދެވުނު 60
- ⁠2024 ނިމުނުއިރު ޖަވާބު ނުދެވި ނެތް
—-
2025 ގައި ހުޅައެޅުނު އާރުޓީއައިގެ ތަފްސީލް:
- މިނިސްޓްރީއަަށް ލިބުނު: 41
-…

— Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed (@Mohamedshaheem1) February 9, 2026

The minister also shared statistics on the ministry’s disclosure record. According to him, the ministry received 60 information requests in 2024 and responded to all of them. In 2025, the ministry has so far received 41 requests, of which 33 have been answered. The remaining eight, he said, were delayed due to the absence of the information officer and are being processed under the procedures allowed by law.

Shaheem described the Islamic Ministry as an institution committed to openness and public accountability, adding that it will continue to respond to inquiries from the media and the public.