License-to-preach regulation contradicts freedom of speech, argues Islamic Foundation
14 Feb 2011, 7:16 PM
Ahmed Nazeer
The Islamic Foundation of the Maldives, led by Ibrahim Fauzy, have filed a case with the High Court of the Maldives in a bid to remove two articles of the Religious Unity Act, Act number 6/94.
President of the Foundation Fauzy told Minivan News that the two articles deemed contentious were articles A and B of the Act.
”The two articles state that a permission from the government will be required to preach, contradicting article 27 an 29 of the constitution which states that everyone has the right to freedom of expression subject to the tenets of Islam,” said the Islamic Foundation in a statement.
The Islamic Foundation said that Sheikh Fareed’s permission to preach was confiscated in 2003 but later returned in 2008.
During the last hearing of the case conducted in the Criminal Court, the state attorney admitted the case was presented according to the recent constitution while Sheikh Fareed’s lawyer Shaheem Ahmed claimed that the laws under the Religious Unity Act would be voided upon ratification as they were contrary to the constitution.
”The case was accepted by the High Court and it is being processed,” said Fauzy.
After the Islamic Foundation presented the case in the High Court, the Criminal Case has halted thecase against Sheikh Ibrahim Fareed pending the High Court verdict.
Sheikh Fareed was charged with violating the Religious Unity Act four years ago.