No restrictions to Qatari people in traveling to and in Maldives, says Foreign Ministry

Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that Qatari nationals will be able to enter and travel to Maldives without any restrictions, despite severing diplomatic ties with the state.

Maldives, along with a number of Arab states, announced the decision to cut ties with Doha on Monday, saying it took the decision “because of its firm opposition to activities that encourage terrorism and extremism”.

In a series of tweets sent out late Tuesday night, the Ministry noted that the government of Maldives “will continue economic relations with Qatar despite severance of diplomatic relations”.

“The government of Maldives confirms that there will be no travel restrictions to Qatari nationals to enter and travel in Maldives”, reads a second tweet.

The Ministry noted that the Maldivian government has no intention of imposing restrictions on ‘people-to-people contact with Qatar”.

Maldives decision to follow other Arab nations’ in severing diplomatic relations with Qatar has sparked a public outcry in the country, with the opposition condemning the decision to sever 33 years of relations.

Both former Presidents Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and Mohamed Nasheed have also expressed concern over the decision, with Nasheed accusing the government of allowing its ‘paymasters’ in Saudi Arabia to dictate the country’s foreign policies.

However, Attorney General Mohamed Anil had, at a press conference on Monday night, refuted claims that there had been any influence in the government’s decision.

Since the nations decided to cut ties with Qatar, Israel has shown interest in joining this coalition, with the country’s Avigdor Lieberman saying that “the ball is with the other side”.

Responding to the sudden attack by fellow Muslim nations, Qatar denounced the decision, saying that “the measures are unjustified and are based on false and baseless claims”.

It said that the purpose of the boycott is “to impose guardianship in the state”, adding that “this by itself is a violation of its sovereignty as a state”.