Maldives "will not permit" tarnishing the name of Islam or the Prophet, says president
The president said this in a statement released on Monday, following concerns over MDN's radicalization report from 2016
President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih
Tarnishing the name of Islam or the Prophet Mohamed (PBUH) “will not be permitted in the Maldives," says President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.
The president said this in a statement released on Monday, following concerns over a 2016 report by Maldivian Democracy Network (MDN) titled ‘Preliminary Assessment of Radicalization in Maldives’.
The report is a “study to assess the level of radicalization in the Maldives,” done after reviewing “school textbooks, published material, religious sermons and online Islamist activity.”
Some sections of the 125-page report are being shared online, with calls to ban the human rights’ group.
Noting that Article 10 of the Constitution states that Islam “is the state religion,” Solih asserted that "observing and respecting the holy tenets of Islam is a fundamental facet of Maldivian society." He added that it is his responsibility, as president, to ensure this.
Further noting that MDN’s ‘Preliminary Assessment of Radicalization in Maldives’ report contains content that contradicts Islamic tenets and tarnishes its name and the Prophet, the president said that this “will not be permitted in the Maldives.”
The president went on to assure the public that the matter will be "thoroughly" investigated and that "appropriate measures will be taken as stipulated under the Maldives constitution" to ensure religious unity.
He further appealed to all "to the public to continue to conform to holy directives and principles of Islam and unify in peace and solidarity."
The Maldivian Constitution guarantees the right to freedom of expression “in a manner that is not contrary to any tenet of Islam.”
A case against the MDN report has been filed at the Maldives Police Service (MPS), who said that the case is being treated as "high priority", and the institution assured the public that those behind the report will be held accountable.
While the report was published years ago, MDN recently apologized for the language used in the report, following the recent public outcry. It added that the report will be revised “with assistance from religious scholars.”
