Motion to dismiss MDN members employed in government, rejected

An emergency motion submitted to parliament, proposing to dismiss members of Maldivian Democracy Network (MDN) employed in the government from their positions, has been rejected.

The motion was submitted at Wednesday's parliament session by, Naifaru constituency MP and opposition Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) member, Ahmed Shiyam.

MP Ahmed Shiyam stated the MDN's ‘Preliminary Assessment of Radicalization in Maldives’ report contained statements that are disrespectful to the Prophet and the Islamic faith and clashes with the principles of Islam. He noted that even though the current administration acknowledges this, that many of the leading members of MDN have been employed in government positions since 2018.

He further accused these MDN members of using the influence of their government posts to slander Islam. Shiyam argued that these members could potentially hinder efforts to protect Islam in the country, endanger national and religious unity, create conflict, allow false religions to prosper in the country and threaten national security using the influence of their jobs, which involve making and enforcing policies.

According to Shiyam, he introduced the bill to encourage the administration to terminate leading members of MDN active since 2015 from their government posts, as well as investigate and take action against them.

The bill was rejected by votes from thirty-five members out of the fifty present.

Another bill against slandering Islam was also presented by Nolhivaram constituency MP Mohamed Nasheed Abdulla during Monday's parliament session.