SOFA cannot be signed: Dr Shaheem

Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed has said that the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) proposed by the U.S. cannot be signed, and that he would not ‘give in’ on this issue.

Dr Shaheem said that the SOFA cannot be signed because they [U.S. military] may use Maldives as a base to attack Muslim countries.

“SOFA agreement cannot be signed. Maldives cannot be used as a base for foreign military personnel, because they might use Maldives as a base when attacking a Muslim country. I won’t give in on this issue,” he said on his Facebook status today.

He further said that freedom of religion would not be allowed in the Maldives, and that the Constitution does not allow freedom of religion in the Maldives.

“Religious freedom will not be allowed in the Maldives. Insha’Allah, the Constitution of the Maldives doesn’t allow this. The people also don’t want this. It is up to the people to sustain internal peace. The people will fulfil their responsibility in this regard, Insha’Allah.”

These remarks by Dr Shaheem came after the U.S. encouraged freedom of religion in the Maldives. Reports have also been going around of the U.S. and Maldives signing a Status of Forces Agreement.