Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed has acknowledged the national radio station, Dhivehi Raajjeyge Adu’s important role in disseminating religious knowledge across the Maldives via its popular Dheenuge Adu programme. The Minister made the statement while speaking on a special programme aired on the occasion of Adu’s 62nd Anniversary.
Speaking on the programme, the Minister said the station had shaped the ideologies of generations over the years. While the station’s 62nd Anniversary is being celebrated, several collaborative efforts have been undertaken between the radio station, the Ministry, and religious scholars to bring informative and impactful programmes on different religious issues, he noted.
The Minister emphasised that the upcoming 2025 will see a renewed focus on religious initiatives, including prayer awareness programmes. Dhivehi Raajjeyge Adu will play a leading role in this endeavor, he said.
Stressing the need to further expand religious awareness efforts, the Minister said new programmes that are attractive to the youth must be developed to engage the youth. While the Holy Month of Ramadan is fast approaching, the Minister said the number of listeners across Maldives, specially in the islands, is expected to increase significantly during this period.
Sharing fond childhood memories linked to the radio station, Mr Shaheem said he learned to recite the Holy Quran by following along Quran recitations broadcast by Raajjeyge Adu.
“When I was a child, I learnt to recite the Quran from Dhivehi Raajjeyge Adu. My mother would make me sit [and listen] after the dawn prayers. In those days, melodic reciters of Quran were hard to find in the islands. We used to listen to the beautiful recitations aired by Dhivehi Raajjeyge Adu from the radio. We read along, and that is how we learnt to recite Quran. My teacher was Dhivehi Raajjeyge Adu,” the Minister reminisced.
The Islamic Affairs Minister also acknowledged Dhivehi Raajjeyge Adu’s role in raising awareness on different issues, noting that these information have enlightened many across the Maldives.
The national radio service was launched on 29 December and has now been in operation for 62 years. The radio service has played an essential role in educating and entertaining the people. The anniversary celebrations feature special coverage with participation from government officials and former employees.