Islamic radicals are gaining strength in the Maldives: Nasheed

Former President Mohamed Nasheed has stated that in the absence of an election, Islamic radicals are gaining strength in the Maldives.

Nasheed told Washington Post in an interview that the country’s main Islamic party Adhaalath Party got poor results in the presidential elections and won no seats in the parliamentary elections which followed.

“But after the coup, they have three portfolios in the cabinet, they are calling the shots in the military, and they are consolidating their position,” Nasheed told Washington Post.

Nasheed went on to say that during the three years he was on power, he changed the school system to make it more balanced and less Islamic, and also restored diplomatic relations with Israel which had been suspended during the thirty years Gayoom was in power.

He said that he advocated close ties with the United States and India, and was shocked by how swiftly both United States and India moved to recognise the new government.

Nasheed also claimed that he had offered protection to women forced to wear burgas and veils by Islamic radicals.

Nasheed repeatedly states in his interviews with foreign media that Islamic radicalism exists in Maldives.