Islamic Ministry
Islamic ministry probes celebration of Hindu festival
Indian teachers celebrated the festival on Kulhudhuffushi island.
19 Sep 2019, 9:00 AM
Imam suspended for reciting Quran at opposition event
The imam has been suspended without pay for 30 days.
10 Jul 2018, 9:00 AM
Cleric loses preaching licence as ministry probe begins
The cleric has previously said that people who favour same-sex marriage should be killed and warned of “divine wrath” for people who plant false evidence.
28 May 2018, 9:00 AM
‘Indecent’ model show under investigation by Islamic ministry
The pageant drew criticism over the ‘indecent clothes’ worn by Maldivian models.
24 Apr 2018, 9:00 AM
Media admonished in ‘fake news’ Friday sermon
The Islamic ministry chose the topic after lodging complaints against media outlets that exposed a four-month delay in handing over MVR18 million (US$1 million) raised for Rohingya Muslim refugees last year.
24 Mar 2018, 9:00 AM
Islamic ministry admits Rohingya fund yet to reach refugees
“Administrative matters” have been completed and the money will be sent over as soon as possible, the ministry said.
13 Mar 2018, 9:00 AM
Islamic ministry unable to account for US$1m Rohingya fund
Islamic ministry officials are unable to confirm if MVR18 million (US$1 million) raised for Rohingya Muslims refugees was handed over to the Bangladesh Red Crescent, newspaper Mihaaru reported Monday.
12 Mar 2018, 9:00 AM
Islamic ministry advises against writing Allah in Dhivehi
The Islamic ministry has advised the press and social media users against writing Allah in the local language Dhivehi.
28 Feb 2018, 9:00 AM
Imam questioned over refusal to deliver ‘politicised’ sermon
An island Imam questioned over his refusal to read a controversial Friday sermon has accused the Islamic ministry of using religion for politics.
26 Feb 2018, 9:00 AM
Islamic Ministry sermon slammed for being ‘un-Islamic’
The Friday sermon, from the Islamic Ministry, was titled “The Leader is a Blessing” and quoted scripture that said it was forbidden for people to insult their leader or pray against him.
18 Feb 2018, 9:00 AM
Islam ‘only religion’ permitted in Maldives, says ministry
The remarks follow media criticism of a human rights defender who tweeted that Allah allowed for other faiths, challenging President Abdulla Yameen’s assertion that he would only permit Islam to be practiced in the Maldives.
29 Dec 2017, 9:00 AM
Government house calls for Maldivians insulting Islam on social media
The ‘house call’ initiative comes amid the ongoing trial of seven people charged with murdering liberal blogger and Internet activist Yameen Rasheed, whose death was justified and even welcomed on social media by those who saw him as an apostate.
12 Nov 2017, 9:00 AM
ACC orders re-evaluation of Hajj group bids
The anti-graft watchdog concluded after an inquiry that the unfairness of the bid evaluation process raised “suspicion that this was done to provide undue benefit to a particular party.”
30 May 2017, 9:00 AM
Maldives clerics roll out wide-ranging religious agenda
Policies were set on a myriad of issues including Jihad, tourism, trade, education, media and atheism
25 Jan 2017, 9:00 AM
Opposition cleric’s licence to preach revoked
Sheikh Ilyas Hussain had his license to preach revoked after he blamed a hike in food prices on government corruption during a sermon on Friday
18 Oct 2016, 9:00 AM
Friday sermon has become a ‘political weapon’
The Islamic ministry has once again provoked a storm of criticism with a Friday sermon that warned Maldivians against slander amidst allegations of corruption against President Abdulla Yameen.
13 Mar 2016, 9:00 AM
Government plans to relocate ancient mosque to ‘heritage island’
The government is planning to relocate the ancient Kalhuvakaru mosque in Malé to a heritage island to be developed on the capital’s suburb Hulhumalé. Built in the late 18th century, it came to be known as the “travelling mosque” due to its history of relocation.
27 Dec 2015, 9:00 AM
Islamic ministry orders TV station to stop programme on sorcery
In a letter sent to Sangu TV, the ministry noted that the Fiqh academy had issued a fatwa advising the media not to broadcast programmes that encourage the practice of sorcery as it a grave sin prohibited in Islam. The academy had warned that such programmes could “lead the public astray from the clear path of Islam.”
16 Dec 2015, 9:00 AM
Opposition member arrested over prayer for political prisoners
An opposition member was arrested today over a weekly prayer for political prisoners. Hassan Ahmed ‘Hassantay’ is charged with contravening the Religious Unity Act.
23 Nov 2015, 9:00 AM
Weekly prayer for political prisoners angers Islamic Ministry
The ministry claimed in a statement yesterday that the MDP’s prayer contains ill wishes towards particular people, describing it as a “show off”. Hundreds of opposition supporters have been gathering outside the Islamic centre in Malé every week after Friday prayers since the arrest of former President Mohamed Nasheed in February.
17 Nov 2015, 9:00 AM
