Islamic Ministry express concern on some aspects of DRP’s amendment to Religious Unity Act

Ministry of Islamic Affairs has said that it welcomes the draft amendment by DRP to the Religious Unity Act, however, there are some elements to which its scholars has expressed concern.

The major concern of the Ministry is that the draft amendment proposes Shafi sect be used as a basis of Islam in the country. However, it’s scholars are of the view that Islam is a convenient religion which leaves a lot of space for the Imam, to chose from the styles used in various sects, for instance in praying, Ministry noted. Neither in Quran, nor in Prophet Mohamed’s sunnah, a particular sect is encouraged, and such an issue cannot be written in a Law, and if written it is unislamic, the Ministry noted.

However, in presenting his bill to parliament Dr. Afraasheem also noted that Shafi sect is chosen as a basis as the country has been widely used in the Maldives since its embrace to Islam, but an ultimate decision rests with the MPs. He also said that he prefers that on the committee stage draft bill be consulted with all Islamic scholars in the country.

The Ministry also said that there are other areas which needs improvement in the bill and called on the MPs to amend the draft during the committee stage.

DRP’s amendment aims to “strengthen Shafi sect Islam in the country, to strengthen Islamic foundation through Islamic education at all academic levels and to block Maldivians from studying religions other than Islam”, according to Dr. Afraasheem Ali.

The bill also stipulated that Islam and Dhivehi shall be taught as compulsory subjects from grade 1 to 12 in the Maldives, to “strengthen Islamic foundation of the country”.

The bill criminalizes any action in the Maldives school system which would promote religions other than Islam and would flatly ban teaching any religions in the schools other than Islam.