Ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) has condemned a former president, without naming him, over his defense of Shahinda Ismail’s tweet regarding Islam.

Ismail, the Executive Director of Maldives Democratic Network (MDN), has recently faced criticism, threats, and a police probe, over a tweet that said God allowed for faiths other than Islam.

In a news statement, the Ruling Party said they strongly condemn the former president for defending Ismail’s tweet, which it said went against Islamic teachings.

It accused the former president of encouraging people who criticize religious scholars and spread irreligious ideas, and goes on to say that this person had always supported anti-religious people and also expressed irreligious ideas himself.

PPM also expressed concern that political leaders allied to him and Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom have remained silent over his behavior.

It is likely that this statement was aimed at Former President Mohamed Nasheed who, in a recent tweet, said that “Attacks on Civil Society defenders by self appointed Sheikhs is a clear manifestation of the “State within the State” of #Maldives. The fear is that this Deep State will soon topple the regime in Government.”