MPs call for dissolution of hardline religious organisations
The MPs made the call during the parliamentary debate of the NGO Bill introduced, at Tuesday's sitting
Members of the 19th Parliament
A number of parliamentarians have called for the dissolution of religious organisations with extremist ideologies.
The MPs made the call during the parliamentary debate of the NGO Bill introduced by MP for Holhudhoo, Yoonus Ali, at Tuesday's sitting.
During the debate, MP for Central Maafannu, Ibrahim Rasheed claimed that a number of terrorist cells are currently operating in the Maldives and that their operations are conducted similar to the mafia.
He also noted that as per recent events, organisations are currently not regulated with consideration to international standards as it should be. He went on to point out that when a member of an organisation makes a mistake, the whole organisation is dissolved. He stated that mindsets should be adapted to penalize the offender not an entire group of people.
While referring to the Salaf organisation, that was named in the recently publicized investigative report of former lawmaker, Dr. Afrasheem Ali's, murder, he highlighted that the organisation can sometimes be seen playing football while other times they are seen actively participating in politics.
MP for Makunudhoo, Mohamed Raai also contributed to the debate declaring that there are organisations founded and run by hard-line extremists in the Maldives that are run out of mosques as a headquarters instead of an office building. Raai highlighted that according to the law on institutions, an organisation's total number of members and financial statements must also be publicly available upon establishment.
He further stated that the investigative report on Dr. Afrasheem's murder and the abduction and murder of journalist, Ahmed Rilwan reveals a horrifying picture for the country's future.
Additionally, MP for South Henveyru, Hussain Shaheem alleged that the founders of these overzealous organisations brainwash and deceive innocent people as they are motivated to recruit pawns for a foreign war. He emphasized the growth of Al-Qaeda cells in the Maldives and stressed that Al-Qaeda's agents are openly operating all over the country with some agents publicly stating so.
He also recalled protests by ISIS supporters in the country after the rise of ISIS, which replaced Al-Qaeda and highlighted the ongoing activities of the jihadist media group, Bilad al-Sham.
Shaheem further stated that no organisation has the liberty to stand in the way of the constitutional right for Maldivians to live in peace and harmony.
MPs debating the bill advocated for strengthening the regulations of the management and dissolution of organisations.
Presently, the bill states that the registration of organisation is sanctioned by an authority appointed by the President.
