Religious speeches are obstructed to show that some Maldivians are against Islam: Shaheem

Minister of Islamic Affairs Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed has said that the activities against delivering religious speeches are conducted by a group that wishes to show to the outside world that some Maldivians are against Islam.

Shaheem said that the purpose of these activities is to agitate Islam and diminish the respect for Islam in society.

He said that those Councilors who obstruct religious speeches have lost their way, and that those Councils should be dissolved. He noted that several Councils where MDP hold majority do welcome religious speeches.

He said that relations between Maldives and the Islamic world have strengthened due to the steady policies of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and expressed confidence that the government is moving in the right direction despite being faced with several challenges. He said that Adhaalath Party remains steady and with the government.

Obstructing religious speeches, and mocking and agitating religious scholars have become common practice in Maldives. Over the past two weeks, several scholars were even refused entry onto some islands.