Gov't to launch 'National Moderation Campaign' to curb religious extremism

The government is to launch a “National Moderation Campaign” in a bid to eradicate religious extremism in the Maldives.

This was announced by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih during his presidential address, delivered during the inaugural sitting of the People’s Majlis on Thursday morning.

During his address, the president shed the spotlight on the 6 May 2021 terrorist attack to assassinate the Speaker of Parliament and Former President Mohamed Nasheed in the heart of the capital city, stating that the speaker’s survival has “strengthened” the resolve of the Maldivian people to defend the country’s democracy and has also stepped-up efforts to promote and protect human rights in the country.

With this being said, the president noted that the dangerous extent of extremism which digs deep into the Maldivian society, has been exposed due to the heinous crime.

Noting that his administration is “forever vigilant” on the principles that serve as the foundation of the Maldives and sovereignty, the Maldivian president highlighted that the government will stop “any” attempt to undermine the foundations of religion, sovereignty and independence.

Stating that the grounds on which fine generations of Maldivians have been built are the strong foundations of the people’s Islamic faith and heritage, President Solih noted one of his core policies over the past year revolving around instilling of rightful Islamic knowledge and virtues as well as manners of Islam in the hearts of young people.

To support this claim, the president highlighted that activities to raise awareness on the true teachings of Islam were carried out across 180 islands during the past year.

With this being said, the president announced the government’s plan to carry out a “National Moderation Campaign” during 2022 with the support of religious scholars.

The campaign will aim to educate those who harbor and spread extremist ideologies and commit heinous crimes against the people and their property in the name of religion or against it.

Currently, 290 individuals are enrolled in degree programmes for ‘Imams’ and ‘Muezzins’, with 1,599 individuals having completed Quran teaching training programmes throughout the course of 2021.

Further, efforts are currently underway to draft and send a legislation governing Hajj, Umrah, Waqf and Zakat to the People’s Majlis for consideration.

President Solih added that the efforts to build modern mosques spanning the entirety of Maldives, will “continue, unabated”.