Govt. investigates alleged Hindu ceremony held at local school

A Hindu religious ceremony held in a school in the Maldives is being investigated by the Islamic Ministry.

Photos of the purported religious ceremony held in Ameer Ameen School in Kulhudhuffushi had gone viral on social media yesterday. Photos showed a "Rangoli" at the venue with additional reports suggesting that the ceremony was to celebrate the "Onam Festival" usually held in the Indian state of Kerala during the harvest season. 

Islamic Ministry has stated that the ceremony had come to the attention of the ministry and it was now speaking with the school regarding the matter.

"The case has now been submitted to the police. We believe that the photos were taken inside the school," a media official from the Ministry stated.

Kulhudhuffushi Council President Abdul Latheef Hassan stated to "Sun" that the photos were from a get-together event of the school's teachers held this Friday and that he was informed by the senior officials of the school that no activities that violated the religion were carried out during the event.

Abdul Latheef also stated that the event was held after obtaining the necessary permits and that the event was participated by senior officials from the school and local teachers as well. 

"The photos circulating on social media do resemble religious symbols. I have now asked the principal of the school to see how this happened. It is an issue if that is how it happened. we will investigate the matter," said Abdul Latheef.

Abdul Latheef also stated that police visited the school during the event but that the police officers did not find any religious violations from the event.