A dedicated book and cultural resource space named “Maldives Corner in Malaysia” has officially opened at the Maldives Cultural Centre in Malaysia, creating a new platform to promote Maldivian literature, language, history and cultural identity among Maldivians living abroad while strengthening cultural and academic exchange between the Maldives and Malaysia.
The facility was inaugurated by the Maldives High Commissioner to Malaysia, Dr Mariyam Shabeena Ahmed, in the presence of Maldivians residing in Malaysia and Maldivian students pursuing their studies in the country. The initiative is designed to bring a wide collection of Maldivian books and publications together in one accessible location, providing the community with a valuable resource for reading, research and cultural engagement.
Speaking at the inauguration, Dr Shabeena said the Maldives Corner was established primarily to make Maldivian books more easily available to Maldivians living and studying in Malaysia. She highlighted the importance of encouraging greater interest in the Dhivehi language and literature, particularly among younger generations, while helping them maintain a strong connection with their national identity, heritage and cultural traditions.
The initiative will also introduce wider audiences in Malaysia to the Maldives’ rich cultural, historical and literary heritage. Books and publications covering different aspects of Maldivian society, history and literature will be made available to communities across Malaysia, supporting greater understanding of the country beyond its internationally renowned tourism industry. At the same time, arrangements have been made to share Malaysian publications with libraries and educational institutions in the Maldives, further strengthening educational and cultural ties between the two countries.
Maldives Corner will additionally serve as an academic resource by facilitating access to research papers and scholarly work related to the Maldives prepared by Maldivian students and other individuals based in Malaysia. Making these materials accessible to researchers, students and interested readers is expected to support knowledge-sharing and encourage further academic interest in Maldivian affairs.
The initiative also forms part of broader cultural diplomacy efforts, with plans to organise literary programmes, cultural activities and information-sharing initiatives focusing on Maldivian heritage and identity. These programmes are expected to provide new opportunities for Maldivian students and residents in Malaysia to engage with their culture while introducing international audiences to the country’s distinctive language, traditions and history.
A substantial collection of books for the Maldives Corner has been contributed by the Maldives National Library, the Dhivehi Language Academy, Novelty Bookshop and the private organisation Thakeethi, reflecting strong institutional and private-sector support for promoting Maldivian literature overseas.
The initiative was initially soft-launched on 7 August 2025 as part of activities commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Maldives’ independence. Plans are now underway to expand its services through digital platforms, enabling libraries and educational institutions across the Maldives to access relevant resources more conveniently.
The planned digital expansion also reflects the Government’s wider emphasis on strengthening technology and digitalisation across public services and national institutions, in line with a key commitment of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s presidential manifesto. By combining cultural preservation with modern digital access, Maldives Corner in Malaysia is positioned to become an important bridge connecting Maldivians overseas with their language and heritage while deepening cultural and educational cooperation between the Maldives and Malaysia.
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