Rehabilitation programme for religious extremists begin

Monday, March 22nd, 2010

Relevant government authorities had confirmed that it had begun a rehabilitation programme designed for Islamic extremists in the Maldives at Dhoonidhoo Detention Facility. Six convicts, who participated in the standoff between the MNDF and the religious extremists in A. A. Himandhoo during October 2007, are the first to be brought into the  programme.

According to State Minister for Islamic Affairs, Sheikh Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed his ministry’s officials are taking sessions in the rehabilitation programme, conducted on request of Ministry of Home Affairs and President’s Office.

“We have admitted six inmates to the first phase of the programme. We are working to change their [fundamentalist] ideologies by having scholars give them the right information on Islam. In addition, we also provide answers to their queries [regarding religious issues],” he said.
President Mohamed Nasheed has previously announced his decision of offering clemency to the protesters.

Senior members of the government, including the President’s Political Advisor Hassan Afeef, Special Envoy Ibrahim Hussain Zaki, Legal Affairs Secretary Hisaan Hussain and State Minister of Islamic Affairs Mohamed Saeed Ali Shaheem visited Maafushi Prison to meet with the inmates.

President Nasheed during his visit to Himandhoo on February 6 has also said that the protesters’ sentences would be relaxed after discussing with relevant parties.

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