People

The People’s Majlis today voted in the resolution proposed by Dr. Afrasheem Ali, requesting the Majlis to make the Noble Qur’an a compulsory subject for primary and secondary school students in the Maldives. Dr. Afrasheem Ali, MP for Ungoofaaru constituency in the People’s Majlis, proposed the resolution to the People’s Majlis yesterday. The resolution, if passed by the Majlis, would make it mandatory for the Noble Qur’an to be included in the national curriculum for primary and secondary education as a compulsory subject.

Out of the 61 MPs present in today’s session, 49 members voted to in favor of floor the resolution, while 7 members voted no.

Those who voted against flooring the resolution were Alhan Fahmy, MP for Feydhoo constituency, Maria Ahmed Didi, MP for Machchangolhi Uthuru, Malé constituency, Mohamed Aslam, MP for Hithadhoo Uthuru constituency, Ilyas Labeeb, MP for Hulhumeedho constituency, Eva Abdullah, MP for Galolhu Uthuru, Malé constituency, Mohamed Rasheed, MP for Machchangolhi Dhekunu constituency, and Hamid Abdul Gafur, MP for Henveyru Dhekunu constituency.

The Speaker decided to send the resolution to the National Development Committee for further study on it.

Many members, including some who voted it in, called upon Dr. Afrasheem to withdraw the resolution, while many spoke on the merits of it, saying that it would “encourage Maldivian students to become more familiar with the Noble Qur’an”.