President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has urged the religious scholars across the nation to refrain from encouraging using religion or matters related to the religion, to spark political outrage.
Taking the podium at the National Day Ceremony on Monday night, Solih stated that Islam encourages correcting and educating one another’s wrongdoings and mistakes through peaceful counselling and that there are several scholars who are capable of doing this.
During his speech, Solih had given his assurance that the government will not tolerate or pave way for mockery of Islam and the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in any way, and neither will the government allow violent extremism to fester among the people, in the name of religion.
Stressing on the current opposition’s movement “in the name of Islam”, Solih highlighted that the ones who are calling for action on the controversial “Preliminary Assessment of Radicalization in the Maldives” report by Maldives Democracy Network (MDN) now, were the ones who turned a blind eye and deaf ear on it during the previous administration of Abdulla Yameen. As such, Solih stressed that it is concerning how they did not pay heed to take any action back then, and is calling for action now instead.
Further, Solih went on to assure the public that although the previous government failed to take action against such unkempt attempts to spread extremism, the current administration will do everything in its power to ensure peace is maintained and Islam prevails.
Shedding light on the freedom of expression and speech, Solih stated that every citizen is entitled to this right under the Maldives Constitution and that the government will not stand in the way of this freedom.
This comes at a time the opposition has been holding protests in capital city Malé, calling for action against MDN for the report which is deemed to contain content that soils the name of Islam and the Prophet Muhammad, (PBUH).
However, authorities have since assured that strict action will be taken against everyone behind the report, having earlier stated that they are treating the case as a high priority.
