Search for Mushfiq still ongoing amid efforts to declare his death

Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) states the search for 25-year-old Ali Mushfiq Mohamed from L. Maavah, who went missing after ‘Holhudhoo Boat’ caught fire on April 2nd, is still ongoing, amid efforts to declare him deceased.

Mushfiq’s birth island, Maavah, scheduled a funeral in absentia for Mushifq after Friday prayer this afternoon, on the presumption that he is dead.

However, on Thursday night, Islamic Minister Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed said a funeral prayer can only be held for a missing person once they are declared dead legally by the court. He also referenced some scholars, who state the death of the missing person should be declared four years after they had gone missing.

The Minister expressed his belief that a judge can declare an individual who has gone missing at sea dead before four years if they are highly likely to have died in the incident. 

As such, the funeral prayer of Mushfiq scheduled for this afternoon, was canceled.

Minister Shaheem sent a message to the media in the afternoon – in which he said following discussions with Mushfiq’s family, it has been decided efforts will be undertaken to hold his funeral prayer following Friday prayer next Friday after declaring his death via court in accordance with Islamic principles.

Despite efforts to declare Mushfiq’s death, MNDF’s Spokesperson had confirmed to Sun that search efforts for the missing youth have not been ceased. In this regard, the Spokesperson said the authority was still searching all probable areas.

According to MNDF, the fire at ‘Holhudhoo Boat’ which was traveling across Thaa Atoll, was reported to the authority at 21:07pm on April 2^nd.

The boat was carrying a total of 18 people at the time of the fire. MNDF confirmed 17 of them had been rescued and identified the missing passenger as Mushfiq.

MNDF’s Central Area Command Coastguard has been active near the incident site, seeking to locate Mushfiq. In this regard, MNDF said it was utilizing a drone in the search operation.

Apart from drone usage, MNDF said Coastguard ships 'Ghaazee,' 'FIC Maafaiy,' and 'HP 114,' along with divers and soldiers from the Central Area Command, are also undertaking search efforts both on the surface and underwater.