DRP calls for probe on talks on President drinking wine

Sunday, July 5th, 2009

The main opposition Dhivehi Rahyithunge Party (DRP) has called on Islamic Affairs Ministry to investigate the widespread speculations that President Mohamed Nasheed drank Sula Sirash, red wine, during his recent official visit to India. DRP made in a letter sent to Islamic Affairs Minister.

Briefing the media on the subject, DRP parliamentary group member, MP for Ungoofar region Dr. Afrasheem Ali said the call was initiated by him. Dr. Afrasheem, a religious scholar from Malyasia Islamic University, also said Islamic Affairs Ministry has so far not responded to DRP letter and that such an allegation regarding head of Islamic state, coming from reputable source, whether accurate or false, must be investigated. He further said he intends to summon the Islamic Affairs Minister Dr. Abdul Majeed Bari to the Majlis for questioning by MPs on the subject.

“Things prohibited in religion if carried out any citizen are a matter of concern, especially if such acts are committed by leading members of the country. On the one hand, it is prohibited by religion; when such a story may be carried in a newspaper, we checked to see if the reporter had something against the President, they might write such a story to discredit the president, there is no such ill feelings; on the other hand they are not Muslims, so such a thing may be very simple. If the President is drinking alcoholic and intoxicating drinks it is serious issue, as such the people of Maldives are waiting to hear the truth, to know whether he did drink or not, Islamic affairs ministry should be first agency to assume the responsibility to ascertain the truth” MP for Ungoofar region said.

When posed the question whether they had any incriminating evidence to prove President Nasheed did drink Sula Sirash other than a mere news paper reporting or whether the newspaper can be trusted, Dr. Afrasheem replied that the news paper , in question , was a world class news paper with world class reputation and trust.

“We are not trying to bring the President to court and to punish him, we are trying to clear the people of their doubts, the President is not just anybody; he is the head of an Islamic country, the truth must be established, people needs to be informed, the people needs to be assured that their lead is a 100 percent Muslim, that this story is all lies, that is the objective” Dr. Afrasheem said.

Speaking at the news conference, DRP Special Envoy Mavota Shareef said they were not trying to make a big issue of the case but was just trying to establish facts and the only thing the government needs to do was ascertain whether or not the president drank Sula Sirash during his official visit to India.

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