“In defence of Islam” protest, biggest protest ever witnessed in Maldives

Sunday, December 25th, 2011

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Thousands of people protested Friday, calling on the government to halt all anti-Islamic activities, making the protest to be the biggest protest ever to be witnessed in the Maldives.

Although the main protest was held in capital Male’ City, protests under the same slogan were also staged in Addu City, Fuah Mulah, Kulhudhufushi, Hadhumathi, Laamu Gan, and other islands.

A record number of more than 100,000 Maldivians all around the country demonstrated to implement Shariah and to put an end to all anti-Islamic activities. More than 10,000 people gathered near Lonuziyaraikolhu, which was renamed “Nasruge Maidhan” (Victory Square) during the protest.

Demands of the ‘Maldivians in defence of Islam” demonstration to the government include: “‎Destroy the idols in Addu City”; “Apologize for bringing Navi Pillay here”; “Don’t declare parts of inhabited islands into uninhabited islands in order to sell liquour”; and “Close down the brothels/massage parlours”.

Protesters stood their ground for eight straight hours, expressing their extreme dissatisfaction with the anti-Islamic policies endorsed by the State. They congregated and performed the maghrib and isha prayers while standing their ground. It was witnessed that the Police also joined the prayers.

Prominent religious scholars and politicians spoke to the thousands of people flocked at the Tsunami Monument area. No violence or calls to violence was seen from the demonstration despite the allegations by the counter protesters of the ruling party.

“I am here as the leader of DRP for the sake of our beloved religion of Islam.” “We are here, in defence of Islam, to protect the Islamic Unity in this country for generations to come,” main opposition DRP Leader Ahmed Thasmeen Ali said in his address.

Parliamentary Leader of the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), Abdullah Yamin also spoke at the gathering. He said, “It is this President Nasheed who vowed to the international community that he would eradicate all the Islamic Schools in Maldives. It is this picture that we are witnessing today in Maldives.”

In his address, Leader of the opposition Jumhooree Party (JP), Gasim Ibrahim said that there is no “high and low Islam.” “We want only the religion of Islam. We do not want any religion other than that,” he said.

“This demonstration is a peaceful demonstration. We will give no room for violence. No opportunity will be given to any activity that opposes the beautiful methodology of Islam,” he also said.

During the ground breaking protest organized by Civil Society Coalition, Former State Minister of Islamic Affairs, Sheikh Shaheem said that the regime of President Nasheed and MDP would be brought to an end in 2013.

“This what the whole world is witnessing in the Victory Square here today is the big picture of Maldives. And MDP showed the world the smaller, minor and insignificant picture of the country in their counter protest,” Vice President of Adhaalath Party, Dr. Mauroof said in his brief speech at the demonstration.

The protest was declared over with a supplication by Sheikh Ilyas. It was announced that if the demands of the demonstrators were not met by the government: they would hold a series of such demonstrations in response.

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