Islamic Ministry criticizes HRCM

Wednesday, October 28th, 2009

shah400mconfState Minister of Islamic Affairs Mohamed Shaheed Ali Saeed has said that the ministry was very worried about the fact that the Human Rights Commission of Maldives (HRCM) was not concerned about the issue of homosexuality as they were concerned about the issue of child concubines in Maldives.

Speaking at a press conference yesterday State Minister Shaheem said that the issue of child concubine was only based on hearsay. He said that the Ministry has been unsuccessful in their attempts to find the truth of this matter and that this makes one doubt the authenticity of the this talk of child concubine

Shaheem further said that they had a lot of work by contacting Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH), to find the truth about child concubine case and that so far they have no evidence to prove that this actually happened.

State Minister Shaheem said that while HRCM had been very outspoken in the media about their concern for this case, HRCM has not said anything against the recent news in the media about permitting homosexuality in Maldives. Shaheem said that this questions HRCM’s role in such issues.

Speaking about Islamic fundamentals in Maldives, Shaheem said that from the very beginning, Maldives has dealt with Islamic scholars very strictly and because of this, there are some people who are trying to maintain strict Islamic policies. Shaheem said the Ministry was trying to reform these people and that HRCM was not appreciating the work the Ministry was doing to this end.

Shaheem said that they were successful in their efforts is islands such as Himandhoo. He said some members of the Figh Academy and also he himself went to Himandhoo and advised to the islanders and now more children are being sent to the school. Shaheem said HRCM has not appreciated such improvements.

Alif Alif Himandhoo came to national focus during 2006 – 2007 when some religious extremists refused to pray in a mosque built by the government saying that it was built upon a former cemetery and therefore was against the preaching of the prophet Mohammed. And some of the islanders built their own mosque named, “Dhar-ul-Khair” where these people prayed in separate congregation. Religious extremism plagued this island during this time.

State Minsiter Shameem said that a lot of these people who previously prayed in separate congregation in this island have now started to participate in prayers with the majority people in the government built mosque. Shameem said that this was a major achievement of the ministry.

Shaheem further blasted the HRCM saying that the Commission was saying whatever came to their mind without seeking proper information from the ministry.

Reader Comments

  1. “Shaheem further blasted the HRCM saying that the Commission was saying whatever came to their mind without seeking proper information from the ministry.”

    Does this imply to information which AP and the cronies see as proper information based on saving their face. Just pathetic the way the AP memebers react whenever they feel threatened.

    AP – “What goes around, comes around”.

    Posted by The Musketeer | October 28, 2009, 11:14 am

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