Funds in the bank account of Maldives Democracy Network (MDN), dissolved for mocking Islam and the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) through their report on extremism, has been transferred to the Deaf Association.

RaajjeMV understands from a reliable source that the funds in MDN's bank account at the State Bank of India (SBI) was frozen following its dissolution by the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment.

The NGO was disbanded during November last year after their report “Preliminary Assessment of Radicalization in the Maldives” came to the attention of the public for content that was disrespectful to Islam. While MDN has yet to announce their final plans for the organisation's funds, the ministry instructed the NGO to submit the necessary paperwork regarding their debts and finances within 45 days. That deadline ended on December 19th.

Sources reveal that the funds in the NGO's account at SBI have since been transferred to the Deaf Association. As such, article 5(f) of the Associations Act (Act No: 1/2003) states that if an association fails to submit financial statements within the allocated time-period following disbandment "any money or property left over after paying off the debts and liabilities of the association after its dissolution shall be given away to another non-profit association or to a government-approved charity".

The Ministry of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment made the decision to dissolve MDN after Maldives Police Service (MPS) forwarded their initial assessment on the “Preliminary Assessment of Radicalization in the Maldives” report by MDN to the ministry on 1 November. Police declared that the report, in fact, consists of content that is disrespectful and mocks the religion, ridicules Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and tarnishes Islamic tenets.

After MDN's report came to public attention, many island councils released press statements demanding the disbandment of the organisation. Hence, many members of the public expressed appreciation to the incumbent administration for its decision to dissolve MDN. Nevertheless, while the organisation currently ceases to exist, many members of the public have also voiced concern regarding the lack of action taken against MDN's leadership.