MP of the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Alhan Fahmy has demanded the resignation of Adhaalath Party members from cabinet posts should the party continue “to take advantage of the political situation by using Islam as a tool.”
Fahmy’s comments, made at a recent MDP rally in Hulhumale’, came in response to claims made earlier this week by Adhaalath Party’s Vice President Asim Mohamed, suggesting that no political party in the Maldives would be able to run the government without the party’s support.
Asim furthermore stated that the party would cooperate with whichever major party ran the government, and that the Adhaalath Party’s religious knowledge and cooperation was very important for the country.
The party recently spearheaded protests against regulations licensing the sale of alcohol to non-Muslims at establishments on inhabited islands, together with Islamic NGO Jammiyyathu Salaf and others.
The leading role taken by Adhaalath Party member Sheikh Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed, also the State Minister of Islamic Affairs, was considered by some to be an act of political defiance. Shaheem claimed at the time that other senior members of the Islamic were also prepared to resign from the government over the issue.
“I don’t think that would have been a bad outcome,” said Fahmy, speaking to Minivan News, “however the president is more mature on this [subject].”
Fahmy said that if the Adhaalath Party was willing to be in coalition with government, “it should not be working against it and threatening it by saying no government can exist without the support of the Adhaalath Party.”
He observed that the large crowd of protesters had gathered over the issue of liquor regulations, and not necessarily in support of the Adhaalath Party.
“They were rallying against the cultivation of alcohol in areas where they lived. That’s different,” he said.
“Adhaalath are a political party, and the objective of any political party is to overtake the current government. But they are playing a very damaging game by being part of the government and using Islam as a tool [for political support].”
Fahmy said he was concerned about “extremist” elements in the Adhaalath Party and its attempts to dictate government policy, but noted it also had a moderate side.
“Shaheem is generally thought of as moderate,” Fahmy said. “He was my room mate when I studied at the Islamic University in Medina, which some people used to call a ‘terrorist training institute’. I know about the whole idea of the Maldives becoming a democratic country so as to remove the legal barriers for scholars to preach their ideas.”
“But I feel using Islam to leverage grassroots support against the government is dangerous for the country,” he said.
Spokesman for the President Mohamed Zuhair said that “while I have publically stated that the president has full confidence in the scholars of the Islamic Ministry, as a politician and a member of a political party Alhan may be voicing the sentiment of grassroots elements in the party.”
Zuhair said at the time of his election the president had promised he would leave religious matters in the hands of qualified religious scholars, “and the Adhaalath Party was the only party that showed interest in political administration and the only suitable political partner that was available.”
President of the Adhaalath Party Sheikh Hussein Rasheed Ahmed claimed that Alhan Fahmy “is an agent sent from the DRP infiltrate the MDP”, observing that the former DRP politician had been “fed and grown by the DRP” and “has not yet given a valid reason for leaving the party.”
Sheikh Hussein also noted that the MDP was sharing the government with the Adhaalath Party, and explained that it would not have come to administration without Adhaalath’s support.
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I think the amount of votes gasim got with Adhatha party in the 1st round; divided by half is Adhalath's political worth.
The only reason this Gov is allowing Adhalath to run Islamic Mins is because they dont want to Prostitute religion for political gain.
I belive it is a electoral pledge of Anni that he would not use Religion as a polical tool. He is responsible act on the Ministry that surpassing the boundary...
I cannot speak for either persons personals feeling of saying certain things against each other. But I as a MDP member supported Adhaalath Party time spent in organizing with others a demonstration to show the President where public opinion stood when it comes to things that are "haraam" in Islam.
Many others criticized and tried to point fingers at Adhaalath and others who spoke up for Islam, defaming them as extremists or terrorist. If wanted, Adhaalath could rightfully claim this was used as a political tool by some politicians also to cause fear in the publics eye and make it look like Adhaalath is producing terrorist. But I do not see them going around accusing that.
When any party or organization speaks the truth and raises the word of our Mighty Creator, does not matter who it is, I as a Muslim have an obligation to support. It would be another case if I hear Adhaalath's spokesperson declare Alcohol as haraam as a political party. But from everything I read and heard, they were only re-affirming Allah (swt) words and trying their level best to do their jobs as Muslims.
In Islam, when you are given any high position, you must use it to help those that needs help and protect Islam. If not, why have a high position in the first place?
I still support MDP as a ruling party since the President is really showing patience towards all sides the best as he can. Hopefully he will stay like this since Im sure it is not an easy job. Meantime, Adhaalath is so far doing good managing the Islamic Affairs of the country. Anyway, atleast to me.. I do not need to be in any particular political party to support a good thing.
time to get rid of the adhaalath. they've over played their hand. who do they think they are? so arrogant.
Freedom of expression and democracy provides the ideal conditions for radical Islam to thrive.
Llike water provides the opportunity for growth of gardens, plants and beautiful flowers, the same water also facilities the conditions for insects, cockroaches and centipedes to multiply.
But eventually radicalism would kill democracy itself. This is the paradox of Islam and democracy and why democracy does not thrive among Arabs.
The Turkish founder Atarturk knew this 80 years ago and preached the doctrine of realism and positivism.
Ataturk was NOT religious but he respected Islam more than anyone. He prevented Islam being manipulated by politicians.
Islam would gain the highest respect only if the religion is freed from political Mullas.
Surely using Islam for political manipulation is a blatant crime against Allah.. But hey, I am not a sheik, what do I know?
Its time to reform the Sheiks..
adhaalath is a machine created by extremist segments abroad to facilitate the process of radicalizing the Maldives. Even if they leave the government, they need to be dealt seriously. Alhan was very brave to stand on this.
Adhaalath is not and will never be a political party who use religious means. It will always be a religious party who use political means to achieve their objectives. As the "moderate muslim" gets further and further to the left, they are likely to go further to the right and the divide will widen. Currently they are as mallow as you will ever see them. If you can't stand them now then they are going to be a major pain for you later.
Even if a “rat” says some thing true, it will be true if it is based on facts. I couldn’t agree more with Alhan Fahmy. He spoke the facts that Adhaalath is using religion as a tool to get political ground.
If a political party is formed of only of Seykus’ or “religious” fanatics it will defy all logic. That is what we have seen so far. Wahhabi and Salafi Adhaalath was the party who told us that Gayoom is not a Muslim. They also told the electorate that electing Gayyoom is “unislamic”. They are also the pious, master of the Universe and protector of “Islam” who said that Qasim can run the country because he is able to control four wives.
Pathetic logic and reasoning for their cause. It looks like that Shaheem and Ilyas are soon going to be advocating that they are “Messengers of Allah”.
Adhaalath and Shaheem threatened the government that they will not only resign but will bring down the government if their wishes are not heard. I don’t understand a political party who failed to secure a single seat in the parliament will have political support to bring down a government. Ahddlath is a leach sucking the blood from the government coffer with millions of ruffiya budget for their salaries. Adhaalath party is a cowardice party slowly using their opportunity to control all mosques to brain wash the Maldives youth. They are creating future destroyers of the Maldives. What Adhaalath has been preaching is fear, hatred and intolerance. In a democracy surely they can say or preach what they want, so can I.
In the next election whenever it will be they will have a huge following because they have used Friday sermons to brain wash a large section of the society. There are many people who believe that only Adhaalath can take them to “heaven” and provide forbidden wine and 80 virgins in the after life.
If the people wants save the country from these crazy Mullah’s they have to counter illogical baseless “preaching” practiced by Adhaalath.
The religion of Islam will be elevated if it will cease to be a political instrument.
Dear Adhaalath Party,
Yes there were a lot of people gathered to protest alcohol sale in Male'. However only a few people attended the next gathering Adhaalath held. What message does this give? All those who gathered against alcohol aren't Aldhaalth members or supporters. Otherwise they would follow you guys to every gathering held in the name of Adhaalath! So calm down. You didn't win anything for MDP. If you did, you could have won at least a single seat in Majlis!!
Tolerance and freedom.
If we have freedom, will people be tolerant in the Maldives? No, of course not. We are ridiculously xenophobic, somewhat racist, and incredibly intolerant of plurality.
Conservative ideologies have hit home so hard that even those who have studied abroad are being brainwashed by them. They intern accuse anyone not sympathetic to Salafi ideologies as being brainwashed too.
I am against Alhan Fahmy being able to hold his seat after running on a party ticket and swtiching parties. But i think he is capable, intelligent, and quite shrewed. I'm not sure where his polices are though we all know what he is saying in this instance to be true.
It is as blatant as the sun in the sky, the Adhaalath Party uses religion as its primary tool. They started off as a moderate party with only a slight religiously based ideology. But now, they've snowballed into this movement of extremely conservative scholars and their followers. Men and women who're willing to die for their religiously charged political beliefs.
This is soo dangerous for our country. This causes people to be scared of speaking out. Alhan, you have more courage than anyone has given credit because you had the guts to accuse Adhaalath of what EVERY MODERATE person is thinking.
For Alhan to take on Adhaalth like this, to call them on their rhetoric is a significant step in the political scheme of things. And while the switch from DRP to MDP is to his detriment, this courage to speak out is very much his benefit and testament to his character.
To all those who praise Alhan, he is capable of stabbing from behind.
Lets consider what Adhaalath Party stands for; I think it stands as the only Islamic Party in Maldives. Does this mean that other party are not Islamic...rubbish. But if Adhaalath Party does not wish to be at the front-lines of politics and play second fiddle to any ruling party that Adhaalath is not really a Political Party but a pressuring NGO of sort. Frankly I am very confused about what this Adhaalath Party really is. :S
Anni really should have been more careful of the trees he was planting, because the roots have already set.
Whenever a religious organization is not separated from the government, it will use its popularity to gain political power. I agree with "Y"'s comments above - with freedom of expression, radical Islam started to thrive & that radicalism will eventually kill democracy.
Religious organizations use FEAR, the fear of the Almighty, as the tool to control a group, brainwash it and recruit new members.
Such as the former dictator used religion and FEAR of punishment and torture during his regime.
I doubt that democracy will work in the Maldives. Too many people have been brainwashed for too long time. Any modern reform is slammed down by being "western" and "un-Islamic"; religion is still immune to criticism.
If you say I am wrong, ask yourself!
Do YOU think for yourself?
Don't you also believe that there will be rivers of wine, that there won't be toilets, that men will get virgins, that we can do window-shopping on Fridays in Heaven?
Have YOU realized that some of the sermons are rubbish and even against women's/humans' rights? Do YOU speak out for yourself, do YOU criticize that Maldivians are going on Jihad and are affiliated to AlQaeda, or are you still hiding your thoughts?
We have to ask ourselves which direction we want our little nation to head - into an arabinized Afghanistan/Pakistan, backwards in time, or into a modernized, liberal, truly Maldivian country, where every citizen has equal rights and no-one has to fear of being different than the norm?
I recognize Alhan Fahmy for standing for his voice, whether it was his vote against the DRP norm, or now that he criticized a religious party for abusing their popularity.
lets Endorse ALHAAN the young and dynamic MP to become MDP's deputy chairperson
Lets endorse Alhan as the voice of reason and the protector of progressive Islam.
Someone has got to stand up not just for democracy but also for Islam being abused and politicized. We need POSITIVE Islam, not NEGATIVE Islam.
What and mess up the MDP, after all we have gone through to get the MDP into government. Alhaan is so shrewd and cunning that he is now trying to win favor and support of the MDP as a whole. He yet has to prove himself to this party of ours. What I see happening is Alhaan trying to get into the top ranks of MDP. I see this as a "bad omen" to the MDP. Yesterday he was calling on our leader as a "Munaafiq" and today lo! what do we hear. This guy Alhaan is a devious and cunning as a "chameleon" trying to hide his true colors. Wait and see, sooner or later he will go on switching party. This guy is acting like a "bolah fithaafa dhookohlaafa oiy muguraaneh hen". MDP beware of this traitor of tbe people. He will not hesitate to backstabk the moment he gets it. Let him roller ball until he "burns out" cause he is desperate for attention, perhaps he has the "Attention-Deficit / Attention-Seeking-Syndrome".
Agree with "Think about it.." - the religion of Islam will indeed be elevated if it will cease to be a political instrument.
If Adhaalath wants to continue as a political party, they will have to show the people how they plan to take the nation forward into prosperity. The argument of ‘Allah rizgu dhevvaane’ is insufficient in the context of the political leadership of a developing nation. If they cannot do better than that they are doing their followers a great disservice by misleading them, and one can argue, as many do, that this is deliberate manipulation for some ulterior purpose. (Alcohol free tourism for Arabs is in no way a realistic means for economic development at the present time because rich Arabs usually seem to be attracted to quite un-Islamic activities)
comment on "MIADHU NEWS" which they have moderated or rather censored and not published at all.
Quote:
“if Adhaalath continues to warn and intimidate the government”. What an understatement for a Parliamentarian to make. Guess this bloke Alhaan is on a “kamikaze mission”. Go on and call for all those who do not supoprt the MDP policies in full or those who question the policies.
Let the message to the Hon. MP Alhaan the “traitor of Feydhoo” be loud and clear. “WE THE PEOPLE OF FEYDHOO CALL FOR YOUR IMMEDIATE RESIGNATION WITHOUT ANY DELAY”. Why not answer to us, your constituency regarding your political defection and the events which led to it. We do not believe in you nor have faith in you anymore. Come next term we will “bury you alive” in all the false promises and hopes that you have made. You are not a politicain at all, but the lowest of the lowest scums on the face of the earth. And one more thing, do not go on the TV channels quoting form the Holy Qur’an for it is a book for the beleivers and not for munaafiq’s like you.
Unquote:
the following article is a good read on how Adhaalath is using religion as a political tool
http://maldivesarmy.wordpress.com/2010/02/27/adhaalath-corrupt-politicians/
the following article is a good read on how Adhaalath is using religion as a political tool
http://maldivesarmy.wordpress.com/2010/02/27/adhaalath-corrupt-politicians/
Not a fan of Alhan or politics. But what he said is what we have all been saying for a long time now and perhaps first time a politician (sadly too highly regarded in our communities) has said it..
what asim said is true, as they are the ones controlling religion, no party can have a 'legitimate' government without them, so be it the dictators party or the businessmen party or democratic party they are in for the ride, an unholy monopoly on the faith of Maldivians, i wonder if their is any antitrust regulations against such a thing happening, how can one claim to be the righteous successors of a religion formed and founded more than thousand years ago in Saudi Arabia? if so then to join this prestigious organisation what are the requirements? a degree in Islam from an Arabic university? so one automatically becomes above us, in a higher spiritual office, speaking the words of god, when all of us the public has received the message through quran, the dilemma for the political parties, while the country is 100% islam, all the parties are Islamic, so why is one party more Islamic than the others? and what to do with it? wage a war and that party is going to be un Islamic and Christian missionaries.i believe the religious Establishment needs no Ministry and has no political mandate, given the slow maturity of Maldives we should learn from the experiences of other countries that faced the same problem,
yes i agree with the Alhaan that Adhaalath is using Religion as a political tool. But lets not forget who's mouth this is coming from. We should get rid of extreamist in our politics along with political prostitutes like Alhan. Neither of them is good for the country
Anni you better get rid of Adhaalath or else none of the liberals will ever vote for you again.
agree with you Nashath...... well said.
I whole heartedly support the system Ataturk (Turkey) implemented in Turkey. Religion and state should be separated if not the politicians will use religion as a political tool.
This is what is happening in the Maldives and in many majority Muslim countries. Most of the wars fought in the World are fought using religion as a political tool to gain or to get access to land or wealth. If you closely analyse all conflicts there is a religious dimension to it, because to get crazy people onboard (kill another) they need justification or backing from God or superior power.
The most recent example is that George Bush apparently said that God asked him to invade Iraq and kill thousands of people. It doesn’t make sense for God to ask his creations to kill each other.
Apparently Adhaalath has a plan to turn Maldives into an “Islamic Khalifa style” country governed by Adhaalath. This means death of democracy, death of Maldives as we know it.
I am lead to believe that Islam practiced by Wahabbis’/Salafi and democracy is not compatible.
That is what we are seen in most Arabic countries especially Saudi Arabia. Almost all the Arab countries have dictators who suppress women and their citizens in the name of religion. They are only able to survive because they have “oil money” or natural resource. Since foothold of Wahabi/Salafi system there is hardly any progress in Arab civilisation. No inventions, no cutting edge research or no progress.
They have contributed only hate, fear and dozens of suicide bombers to the 21st century. All the knowledge has moved towards West and [by passing the Middle East (save Israel)] to the Far East and India.
These so called “Islamic Scholars” cannot solve Maldives problems because they only try to find a solution from their own version of religion. Religion or even science (Islam, Christianity, Judaism or Baddish) do not give answers to all our problems.
If we are to survive Maldivians should follow a more progressive path and come to terms and accept that we live in a pluralistic society where everything is NOT in ‘black and white’. We have atheists, Muslims, Islamists, Salafis, Christians, Buddhists and people who are multi faith living among us.
So it is difficult to believe that we can have “one size fits all” solution for our problems.
After all Adhaalath “Islamic Scholars” does not have a direct line to God. So what do they know?
we need a strong law to address and against Islamic extremism, Those who spread such ideologies should be prosecuted under the law and stopped from preaching as well prevent the state from funding such organisations like adhaalath. we need to do this before we have to prosecute people who tried to blow them self in a hotel or before we start burring people who got killed by terrorist attacks.
Alhan is being childish. At a time when even die hard supporters of MDP are having doubts whether they made the right choice at the last elections, it is outright stupid to alienate whatever support Nasheed has. Be it fanatics, terrorists or whoever, Nasheed needs them and is embracing them. Why else would Nasheed so willingly welcome people like Alhan or Dr Shaheed or Ahmed Abdulla who were liking the dirt off Gayoom's shoes just yesterday.
Grow up!
As I have stated earlier, the Adhaalathu is not a party of religion, it is a party of hate.
It is unbecoming of a civilized country to have these people openly make anti-semitic, and similar incendiary speeches.
The Adhaalathu party's claim that no government can be established without its support is ludicrous at best.
The party backed a widely-regarded Qasim Ibrahim in the first round of elections.
However, three candidates that the Adhaalathu party members have accused of being 'apostates' or 'christian' at various points of time - Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom, Mohamed Nasheed and Hassan Saeed - all got the people's vote.
Of course, the Adhaalathu party hopped into bed with the MDP in the second round, hoping to taste the power that it so grossly abuses today, in the name of religion.
The statements also apparently make clear that it intends to grab the Islamic pie no matter which party wins the next elections.
Has this party no shame?
10 months ago, a mainstream politician calling for the liquidation of the Adhaalath Party would be unimaginable.
In a mere 10 months, the resistance has grown.
Nashath and Musketeer the transgender Kakuni-cum-Aisha: Is Alhan more evil than Adhaalath? I doubt. Nothing is as evil as Adhaalath in Maldives right now. Even bringing back Maumoon is preferable. It's a matter of deciding which is the LESSER EVIL NOW!
But I think that's demanding too much of your pea brains. "Complicated" and "sophisticated" things like these would go light years over the heads of zombies like you.
We know pretend-liberals like you, actually closeted Taliban-apologists, who can't even set your personal priorities straight -- much less comment on national reform!
Shut your pie hole if you have nothing else useful to do with your sorry life. Turn on the Eternal Kasauti Channel.
this is very true.islam n politics should never be mixed.thi two thins will never work side by side.we have to choose whether islam or democracy.this two never make a perfect blend. get it!!!!!!!