Dr Majeed says

A letter has been leaked, where former Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr Abdul Majeed Abdul Baaree expressed that there was ‘no point in remaining in this post’ to former President Mohamed Nasheed.

The letter was sent in relation to the rejection of the budget requested for by Islamic Ministry.

Dr Majeed had stated in the letter that important expenses had been removed from the budget without discussion with the Ministry.

“There is no budget for the printing of the weekly ‘Hidhaayathuge ali’, for the programs shown on MNBC One by the Ministry, for the special programs conducted during Ramadan, or for the allowance given to imams of tharaweeh prayers,” reads the letter signed by Dr Majeed on 5 February 2012.

Dr Majeed had stressed that he had repeatedly asked for these budgets during official and unofficial cabinet meetings.

“Finance Controller of Finance Ministry has said that not one cent more than what’s stated in the budget will be provided to the Ministry,” Dr Majeed had expressed in his letter.

He had also said that his intention was not to fulfil any personal needs, rather, the money was required to fulfil absolutely necessary responsibilities by the Ministry as part of the national development structure set up for the year.

Dr Majeed further said that previously, the budget for the National Quran Recitation Competition was Rf3m; however this year it was only Rf1.6m in the beginning, which had been further cut down to Rf1m.

Dr Majeed said in conclusion of the letter that he was working towards achieving the goals in the national development structure.

“If the Ministry is not granted the money necessary for these things, and we are not able to provide the services to the people – it is not acceptable to me that I remain in this post and receive a salary out of this budget,” Dr Majeed said.

It has not been possible to confirm that the letter was sent by Islamic Ministry, as there is no answer on the Ministry’s phone.