Resolution to ban alcohol and pork rejected

Kaashidhoo MP Jabir’s resolution to ban Alcohol and Pork from the Maldives has been voted down by the parliament.

MP Jabir proposed the resolution by stating that the sale of alcohol and pork was forbidden in Islam and that the government cannot continue the sale of such items even if it is to advance an industry.

The resolution was debated only by Kudahuvadhoo MP Ahmed Amir before it was rejected by 55 members of the parliament. Eight members voted in support of the bill while two members abstained.

MP Jabir presented his resolution by saying that the business of selling alcohol and pork in the Maldives was being carried out without any limitations or fairness and needs to be stopped immediately. While no other MP spoke in support of the bill, Kudahuvadhoo MP Ahmed Amir questioned MP Jabir’s motives with this resolution. 

MP Jabir had a heated argument with the Tourism Minister Ali Waheed just a few weeks ago at the Oversight Committee of the parliament over the Minister’s refusal to consider building casinos in the Maldives. MP Jabir had questioned why the government was allowing the sale of alcohol and pork in the Maldives when it was forbidden in Islam, to which the Minister replied that it was due to a law that allowed the sale of alcohol and pork.