‘Islamic’ leaders do not engage in idle talk or make unfulfilled pledges and this must apply to Maldivians, says Ali Zahir of the opposition aligned Adhaalath Party.

Ardent and keen leaders throughout Islamic history have shown faithfulness and honesty, which are characteristics opposite to those displayed by President Abdulla Yameen, Zahir said while speaking at a Joint Opposition rally in Foakaidhoo island of Shaviyani atoll on Tuesday night.

He further accused the government and ruling party of using religion as a ‘weapon’.

Zahir beseeched supporters and the Maldivian public to refrain from falling subordinate to the use of said ‘religion card’ and to be not led astray by it.

He said that the government’s conduct within the past five years have shown a level of disregard towards Islamic principles and that this is evidence to how rhetoric about religion is just a political ploy used by the government.

In this regard, Zahir said that while leaders who abide by Islamic principles are faithful to the property of its citizens, are transparent about their lives and government, and are loyal to the interests of their people, Yameen has violated all of them.

Adding to multiple accusations of corruption against the Yameen administration, Zahir said that Yameen – who claimed at the start of his tenure that he would only be accepting half of the presidential salary – has built a multi-storey structure in a property known to be owned by him during the span of his tenure.

Zahir also condemned President Yameen for his reported intimidation of political rivals and their supporters.