Last modified: 2018-10-27 by ivan sache
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Flag of IUM - Image by Ivan Sache, 18 June 2018
The Islamic University of Maldives (IUM; website) was established in 2015, succeeding the College of Islamic Studies (est. 21 February 2004).
IUM is composed of 5 Schools (Quran and Sunnah, Shar'ah and Law, Islamic
Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences, Education, and Arabic Language)
and 4 Centers.
The flag of IUM (photo, photo, photo, photo, photo, photo) is white with the university's emblem.
The four key elements of the emblem, the Quran, circle, rope and the
Islamic star, form the core element representing the most visual
identity of IUM.
The central element of the emblem is an open book symbolizing the
Quran. It is indicative of the fact that the basis of all knowledge and
true enlightenment comes from the Quran. The Quran also encourages the
pursuit of knowledge.
The symbol of Quran is encompassed in a circle representing the
Minaret, a key Islamic landmark in Maldives and an important symbol of
Maldivian Islamic national identity. The circle representing the Minaret
is indicative of continuity of human civilization and Islamic Ummah.
The intertwined rope represents Maldivian workmanship and is symbolic of
national unity, strength and confluence.
The Islamic star is symbolic of Islamic faith, identity and enlightenment.
Green is one of the three colors of the Maldivian flag; gold symbolizes
the importance of knowledge, quality and excellence.
[IUM website]
The Quran is indeed represented by a rehal, aka Quran stand, an
X-shaped foldable book rest used for placing holy books during recitation.
The large coral stone Munnaaru or Minaret, a drum-shaped tower in front
of the Male Friday Mosque built in 1675, represents the beginning of
round minarets in the country and forms an interesting variation with
the pre-Islamic past of the country. The original rope binding around
the minaret was replaced by iron chains and copper belts in 1914.The
sound of the prayer from the Munnaaru reaches the entire island,
gathering people for prayers five times a day.
[Maldives' Guide]
Ivan Sache, 18 June 2018
Flag of the Lhaviyani Atoll Education Centre - Image by Ivan Sache, 1 April 2007
Lhaviyani Atoll (Lh.) is located between latitude 5° 15' N and 5° 34'
N. Situated to the south-east of Noonu Atoll, the Atoll has 4 inhabited
islands, 5 resorts, one industrial island with tuna canning facilities
located in Felivaru and a number of small uninhabited islands.
Naifaru, (pop about 4,500) the capital with good harbour facilities, a
secondary level school and with a hospital with appropriate medical
facilities has long been a stopover point for boats travelling to and
from Malé to the northern atolls. Hinnavaru, located about 8 km to the
north of Naifaru has a similar sized population. These two islands
together account for much of the fishing that has long existed in this
atoll. Felivaru canning factory provides some employment to the
communities in these islands although the majority constitute imported
labour. This is an atoll where tourism and fishing, the two major
industries of the country, has proven to coexist on a sustainable
manner. The island of Olhuvelifushi situated in the south eastern tip
of the atoll is the lowest populated island and is under 500 persons.
Currently, Naifaru is undergoing a massive land reclamation project in
order to address the developmental needs of the island. Previously,
Hinnavaru also reclaimed some land to meet the growing demand.
[Atolls of the Maldives website]
lhaviyani (ޅ) is the seventh letter of the Thaana alphabet, which replaced the original Dhives akuru (lit., the island's letters) alphabet after the Islamization of the Maldives in 1153. I understand that the administrative regions of the Maldives are named after the letters of the Thaana alphabet.
The Lhaviyani Atoll Education Centre (website) is the main school of Lhaviyani atoll (Faadhippolhu). It is an
autonomous school funded by the government of Maldives. The student
population of average 1,250 per year studies from grade 1 to 10. This
school offers classes in three main streams (business, science and
arts) for secondary grades.
Its foundation was laid on 4 June 1981 (1 Shaubaan 1400) by Lh. Atoll
Chief Mr. Ismail Rasheed. It was officially opened by the Hon.
Minister of Health Mr. Abdullah Jameel on 10 March 1984 (7 Jumaadhul
Aakhiraa 1404).
The flag of the Lhaviyani Atoll Education Centre, as shown on its official website, is vertically divided green-light blue (~3:7) with a white emblem in the blue stripe.
Ivan Sache & Valentin Poposki, 1 April 2007
