Religious scholar Dr. Iyaz criticized the government-organized New Year drone show in Hulhumalé, which depicted a human silhouette allegedly representing the president. The display violated a Fatwa Council ruling prohibiting representations of living beings, drawing accusations of hypocrisy from a leader who campaigned on Islamic devotion. Dr. Iyaz also questioned the expensive festivities while the president was in Singapore and the country faces debt obligations in 2026.
Drone show followed by fireworks and cultural performances were held to welcome 2026 in Hulhumalé
Prominent religious scholar Dr. Mohamed Iyaz has asserted that the state-sponsored New Year festivities have further shed light on what he describes as the hypocrisy of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.
The criticism centers on a drone show organized by the government in Hulhumalé to mark the beginning of the New Year, which included the depiction of a human silhouette. Many observers claimed the figure represented President Muizzu and viewed it as a deliberate effort to promote the president’s personal image.
The event prompted widespread public criticism, particularly as it appeared to violate an existing ruling by the Fatwa Council that prohibits the display of symbols representing humans or living beings.
Taking to social media platform ‘X’, Dr. Iyaz stressed that for a leader who attained power by projecting strong devotion to Islam, organizing New Year celebrations involving forbidden acts only serves to further expose hypocrisy.
While some critics noted that such promotional displays have become a common element of government-led events, others expressed disbelief at the nature of the show, with several describing it as absurd.
Images of the drone-formed figure, shown wearing a suit, circulated widely online, and many users created edited videos to mock the display.
Dr. Iyaz also criticized the significant expenditure on the festivities, noting that President Muizzu was in Singapore with the First Lady during the transition to the New Year. He further questioned whether the president remains conscious of the country’s substantial national debt obligations due in 2026.
The government’s large-scale festival in Hulhumalé to welcome the New Year featured a drone show displaying various aerial images, fireworks and a range of cultural performances.
