The Youth Ministry has denied the Islamic Ministry use of the Maafaanu football ground for the sermons of visiting Islamic scholar Zakir Naik.
Minister for Youth Hassan Latheef said that the ground was a football stadium which was used by many young people every day, ”so it is very difficult to give that land.”
Latheef said that if the ground was given for the sermon then “others” will also start requesting use of the venue.
”That land cannot be given to do anything other than football,” Latheef said. ”If you take a look, you can see people playing everywhere, in the middle, sides and outside also.”
Latheef said that the Youth Ministry was now speaking with the Islamic Ministry to see if they would like to have the ‘Alimas’ Carnival Stage instead.
”We spoke with the Municipality council and they said the carnival stage was possible,” Latheef said, ”but the Islamic ministry said that land was not large enough.”
He said the Islamic Minister Dr Abdul Majeed Abdul Bari had telephoned him while he was out of the country, ” and told me the Islamic Ministry was hosting a sermon by Zakir Naik and asked if the football ground was possible,” Latheef said. ”I said yes, let’s see whether it is possible.”
He said the Ministry has now received another request from a religious group requesting the Galolhu national stadium for a religious event.
State minister for Islamic Affairs Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed said that the Youth Ministry had recently told him that the football ground was available, but now denied it.
”Later they said it was a land only for entertainment purposes,” Shaheem said.
He said the Islamic Ministry was now searching for another venue to host the event and would announce it very soon, but he noted that the carnival stage was not big enough for the expected turnout. The Islamic Ministry has previously claimed that Naik’s visit will be the biggest event ever hosted in the Maldives.
”There are many challenges that we face,” Shaheem said, ”from many people and in many ways. I want to tell everyone that by God’s will we will host the event – everyone be patient and don’t commit any violence,” he said.
The Adhaalath party meanwhile expressed anger over the issue on their English language website, noting that the Islamic Ministry “has spent a large amount of money to print posters mentioning the stadium grounds as the venue.”
“The decision of the Youth Ministry not to give the stadium grounds for holding the lecture event will only add to the piles of questions about this government’s loyalty to the religion of this nation,” the party said, in a recent post.
“The pretext given was that they cannot do without the ball for one whole week. The youth who play there may not like it. What about the thousands of Maldivians who want the event to be held in the most spacious and suitable ground available? Don’t their feelings count?”
“The irony is that the majority of the people who will be attending Dr Zakir’s lecture will be youth,” the party said.
“Such blatant acts of obstruction to Islamic activities will only help in further plummeting the popularity of this government. It would appear that this is a ‘tit for tat’ by the secular minded people in the establishment because the Islamic Ministry and many citizens of this country criticised the Akon concert.
“What these people do not realize is that the people of Maldives are watching. Everyday their actions are exposing them for what they are: men who don’t care about the wishes of the vast majority of Maldivians. They continually forget that this is a Muslim country. They have very little, if any, loyalty to Islam and the nation.”
President of Adhaalath Party Sheikh Hussain Rasheed told Minivan News that the land “should be given equally to everyone.”
”The Youth Ministry just don’t like it because it is religious event,” Sheikh Rasheed claimed.
Sheikh Rasheed said that there would also be youths attending the event.
”I just want to thank the youth ministry for raising this as an issue and campaigning like this,” he said. ”Before we were expecting 10,000 people for the event, but now we are expecting 20,000.”
Speaking in a press conference on decentralisation today, President Mohamed Nasheed said the government would endeavour to provide a venue for the event, “and there is no doubt about that.”
“There is freedom of expression in this country and people should be able to express their viewpoints within the basic boundries of our law, so we have to find a venue for them,” he said.
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Come to think of it, I can understand why a the grounds are exclusively for football - maintaining turf is expensive. It's a venue for a particular purpose. I really think that Kuda Bandos, with transfers is a good idea for the lecture.
great. keep this filthy hate mongerer away from maldives at all cost
Two thumbs up for Youth ministry..i was begining to think youth minister was nothing but a telegenic nerd....but denying adhaalath stadium definitely scores him a 5 star from me.
why do we constantly pander to the islamic ministry..? and where are these so called 30 young people on whose shoulders the maldives 2,000 year traditions apparently now rest. not a peep from civil society about this stupid lecture
Why get so excited about a change in venue? After all, if the lectures are going to be held for a week, more than enough people will probably be able to attend over the seven days. As for issues with the government, MDP have already said they cannot rule without Adhaalath, so why not be content with that for now? There needs to be a balance in everything - it should not be about egos or a competition about who can have larger crowds - especially from people who are talking about Islam. Those who want to listen to the man will find some way of doing so in any case.
iham: "filthy hate mongerer?" Well we can see who is the filthy monger now.
By the way I find it amazing that most of the comments on this website are oftne critical of Islam and sympathetic to those who malign Islam. JJ: is this a coincidence?
So if Islamic Ministry is so concerned about what they have spend would they listen to the event organizers of Akon... I think more was spent on Akon than this Zakir Naik....
@Hameed yes we can see who are the "filthy hate mongers". Drop the whole persecution complex it not the secularist who are trying to force their way into the life of every one through draconian laws that would make the mullah's of iran proud.
For most part its the secularist/liberals who get persecuted and called a "Kafir" if they dare to speak against the "hate mongers". and for the most part the masses flow along since these are "men of god" they can do no wrong.
I am glad at least some of us have a clear vision to see what is going on. An d yes Zakir Naik is a extremist hate monger who are financed by the whabis. He has no formal education on theology and have even fatwa issued against him.
for eg :-
"Naik is known for discussions on comparative religions. He is not a qualified Aalim of deen. His comments on fiqh have no merit. If it is true that he condemned the fiqh of the Imams, then that in itself is a clear indication of his lack of fiqh and understanding of Shairah. We have come across a fatwa from Darul Ifta Jamia Binnoria, Pakistan regarding Zakir Naik not being a certified Aalim of Deen. He should consult with Ulama in his endeavor of propagating deen." Shariah Board of America
and
In August 2008, Darul Uloom Deoband issued a fatwa stating: "The statements made by Dr Zakir Naik indicate that he is a preacher of Ghair Muqallidin. One should not rely upon his speeches."
what adhaalath is doing is effectively giving some quack extremist a state sponsored soap box to spew his hate. If they ware moderates as they claim to be they could have asked one of thousands of moderate or dare i say secularist scholars who are thousands times more well versed in theology and history to come and give a lecture that would be much more beneficial to society
Give me Akon over a money-spinning Televangelist who has made religion a highly profitable enterprise and family business.
MoIA is yet to offer an explanation of how it has allowed an unqualified quack, his young kid, and a wife with no known religious expertise to preach to Dhivehin in public.
Nevertheless, this is a good decision by the Youth Minister.
There'll always be a mob led by the Adhaalath that'll make pretense injury and assault to the religion whenever their political stunts are thwarted.
Why it is so important this Zakir to be invited to Maldives spending public money. He can be seen on peace TV. He is not going to say anything new. This Adalath should be banned in Maldives
Hameeed:
Thats because most who understand the the Earth round don't support the views of Zakir 'Nike' or the Islamic Ministry
To be considered a good and faithful Muslim do we have to support everything anyone tries to do in the name of Islam?! And why is it that everytime something doesn't work out exactly the way Adaalath or Islamic Ministry wants, they want to publicize it and twist the whole thing around? Where is the faith in that? Can't they actually believe that if what Adaalath is trying to do is indeed for the good of everyone, A.S.W will indeed pave the way for it to happen? Just because Adaalath uses religion to further their political goals, it doesn't mean that they are always right. Those who try to take advantage of religion for their selfish benefits is becoming more and more common every day. So Adaalath instead of screaming and preaching all the time, why don't you actually practice Islam....I'm pretty certain a lot more people will believe you then. Right now, your actions look like race for the next presidential election!
Hameed have you ever wondered maybe this is the majority's views?
As a regular reader i wouldn't say most comments are hateful of Islam, it seems to be more critical of a certain version of islam.
Isn't if funny how everyone claim to know the majority's views? Minivan has often published comments critical of them and lambasting them, so i tend to believe that they put up anything that does not contravene their comment guidelines. So there is a majority of readers of this site who rejects radical Islam. Which i'm kind of hoping is a reflection of the society itself.
Just now on TVM Raajje Miadhu, Youth Minister said he categorizes music and sports together, so Akon is okay at the track grounds but not Zakir Naik!
When it gets reserved for a music event, still it is off limits for sports activities. Does he mean that all musicians and sportsmen are of the same profession? Do musicians always play football or vice versa?
What a foolish thing to say.
Is he trying to polarize musicians and sportsmen against Islam?
THE VENUE DEPENDS ON THE SIZE OF THE AUDIENCE NOT THE NATURE OF THE AUDIENCE!
Thankyou! TVM for showing a 100% clear picture of the type of ungodly government ANNI is leading!
Maldivians! Stop biting your fingers. This is all HAPPENNING, right here, right now!
Nashath: who is a secular scholar? Do they say don't pray five times;promote homosexual; drink until u lose ur bloody mind.
ahmed:
most who understand the the Earth the way u do apparently believe in Darwin's theory only.
Nashath Rafeeq!
Did you say;
"Naik is known for discussions on comparative religions.."
YES, DEAR! That is exactly why we are proud to have him in Maldives. To give a lesson to ATHEISTS and AGNOSTICS, and secret Bible distributors.
That you cannot compare a sparkling diamond with false trinkets!
That you cannot compare Islam with other false faiths out there!
heck: there goes his religion, islam is not only for flea infected beard people. so please note that u have failed islam too.
I do agree with the Youth Minister. Everywhere stadiums are not used for religious purpose. Stadiums are for sports events. In my opinion, this show can be held in Olympus or Social Centre for a week because MoIA got enough budget from the Maldivian government, so they should be able to afford it.
I do not think the government is spending as much for the Youth Ministry as for the MoIA!!! In my opinion, Youth is more important than these beardos who have been rejected by the former government.
as usual the crazy ones started dealing in absolutes @ heck ..... if the Islamic ministry has common sense they could have requested University of Azhar to send a scholar who isnt a crazy fanatic to come and give a speech ? , this is not about Islamic knowledge to Maldivians this is about bringing whahabism to the masses.....
this youth minister first of all try to bring your party members 3000 cause the party regulation requires that .. and also does anybody know you in this country before that baathil vote = ibura begged the thaqdheeru dhimaavigothun ari president mohamed nasheed for cabinet post, so please don't try to be smart here!! do you know that your equally responsible to host this even in male as islamic ministry ..
latheef are you telling us that our youths should be always dancing and drinking and enjoying the boneym show ..
why wouldn't you and that sawad ( maqaamu ge dhahivethi kamuga kaandheymee haa kaalaa ) guy go and recieve zakir naik from airport aren't first a muslim and then a disco dancer ..
This guy spreads hate. Keep him away from Maldives... He is a nasty pc of work... He should go to Tora Bora to preach terrorism
Does the government even realise that their acts are making the nation smoothly play into the hands of extremists?
“President Mohamed Nasheed said the government would endeavour to provide a venue for the event, “and there is no doubt about that.””
If the government is endeavouring to provide a suitable avenue for the event, why don’t they make things a bit smoother for everyone?
Why do they first give one impression to the Islamic Ministry and then change their word after the Islamic Ministry does all the preparations including printing out posters and stuff?
It seems to me that the government is either extremely disorganised or lacks confidence.
Well, as one commenter here mentioned, maintenance of turf is expensive and these types of events can damage the grounds.
But this is not something the Youth Ministry knew AFTER they said yes to the Islamic Ministry. If possible damage to the grounds was a problem, they should have told the Islamic Ministry in the beginning itself. NOT after the Islamic Ministry goes ahead and prints out their posters.
When everything about Islam has to be fought for, it will only make even the least religious sympathetic towards those who are fighting for Islam.
At this rate, this country is heading to repeat what happened in Iran.
“What these people do not realize is that the people of Maldives are watching. Everyday their actions are exposing them for what they are: men who don’t care about the wishes of the vast majority of Maldivians. They continually forget that this is a Muslim country. They have very little, if any, loyalty to Islam and the nation.”
I don’t know who said this. But this is so true.
All those who think Zakir Naik is this and Zakir Naik is that, MUST attend his lectures and see for yourself who he actually is and what he actually preaches.
There will be few people who will not be impressed by his lectures, I would say.
I think this is a golden opportunity for those of us who are in Male’ to clarify some of the vexing questions we have.
@heck
ah the old quote out of context ploy. The Christian fundamentalist in america will be proud of you. Scroll up and read again or did you miss this part ?
"He is not a qualified Aalim of deen. His comments on fiqh have no merit. If it is true that he condemned the fiqh of the Imams, then that in itself is a clear indication of his lack of fiqh and understanding of Shairah."
Any idiot can make comparison and spew what ever they like, hell you are doing the same right here, so why not give you a soap box since you seem to be able to do the comparisons of religions too. But that does not mean they are correct or be allowed to spread their hatred and radicalize others.
tsk tsk..
islamic ministry has enough money to waste on Nike, correct? no one can question it, because its islam, so go ahead and rent a near by island, exclusive for the event, make a bridge between the islands exclusive for the event. now that would be the biggest event wouldn't it?
FYI MoIA, you are this govt and so far this govt has been nothing but full of islam. i find it bizarre MoIA trying to playdown on govt (ironically the govt they represent). excuse me sir but you have got your way everytime and all the time in the name of islam for everything since this govt was elected. its been a while since i have come to terms with myself that the govt is actually run by Adalath.
A comment above rightly points to a fundamental problem with this whole fiasco. Since when does the state become a host to events such as this? I condemn the state's role in arranging the Boney M event as well.
Zakir Naik is not academically trained in theology. That is extremely clear. Why is Dr. Abdul Baaree acquiescing to his visit while the he himself has a doctorate in the study of the Islamic religion. The simple answer would be: because of Zakir Naik's relative popularity. However, is there any precedent, international or local, for state-funded events such as this?
Is no MP brave (or mostly political) enough to question the justification behind this expenditure? Why aren't Maldivian Islamic theologists making any comment? Yes, we are slaves to laws dictating that Islam is an unassailable part of Maldivian culture, but last I checked, Zakir Naik is not a prophet of Islam. His motives and background can be questioned.
The MDP-led administration finds itself between a rock and a hard place and therefore the indirect measures they have taken to limit the scope of this event is understandable. As a Maldivian youth, I am neither interested in soccer nor Zakir Naik. So youth interest cannot be invoked wholesale without actual facts and figures.
I guess I'm rambling because one feels helpless when one is neither protected by law nor political will to speak their mind about the contradictions between a state that champions human rights abroad and is forced to deny the freedom to express an opinion, which in light of the fact that Zakir Naik's views are not representative of Sunni Islam as a whole, are not even that controversial.
Honestly...
I wish everyone will stop telling everyone else what to do.
You have a choice, you can go see him or stay at home.Whatever you choose, just keep it to yourself, just don't go forcing your friends/family or strangers to see things your way. That is what ppl hate about this extreme Islam. They can't keep it to themselves.
And rest of us, practice what you preach.
This is Adhalath party's way of gaining support for their own party...as they lack popular support. Which is one reason they did not contest for the presidential election. They had to lay their ground work...do their work in the islands...spend the money coming in thru mega funding from abroad to spread their version of Islam....before they contested for the leadership position.
And by that time, i will say they will also change the constitution to have them as the "supreme religious leader" as in Iran...and the president will be a puppet... Which is somewhat how they r working now too. They bully other ministries...and sulk when they dont get their way.
They also need to fulfill their plan of making their voice the ONLY voice in Islamic affairs of the nation...These are intolerant, arrogant people who have one motive...which is to ensure their version of Islam is the only version that is allowed. And to intimidate people into submission so that no one dares to speak against them.
If this govt and the opposition parties do not stand up for our nation and it's people we are doomed to be in the fate as places like Iran and Afganistan.
ps tomorrow they might want to use the Football stadium for public executions...
I honestly don't think Mafannu Stadium is safe to hold such a big event. It may be open alright. But the ground is divided into several sections with strong iron bars and nets. What if people try to move from section to another?
Kuda Bandos or Alimas Carnival area will be best. Why not Rannabandeyri Maalan if its for 7 days. No fear of rain either.
This guy is an ignorant, foolish guy!! Think about How he says... "You can call your God; Allah in ANY "beautiful" name you wish...."
Doesn't Allah let us know about 99 beautiful names?? why should we then listen to this kinda phreak???
This is jux one example of him.. there r lot more!!
I DARE ADHALATH PARTY TO GO AHEAD WITH THEIR THREATS OF LEAVING THE COALITION.... I DARE THEM....COS I KNOW THEY WILL NOT LEAVE THE COALITION...
without the Islamic Ministry under their thumb...they have no authority...no way of meddling in everyone's business ...no way of laying their ground work as easily as now...
IS ANNI SLEEPING??
Minivan News should be banned. Because it spreads hate on Islam and it creates fithuna among Muslim society.
It is not necessary to have a certificate from a University inorder to preach Islam.
Naik is a learned person who conveys the message of Islam according to the Qur'an and Sunnah.
You must judge the person not from his qualification but rather on his knowledge.
For an athiest Naik or Baaree or any other is irrelevent..
Prophet Mohamed's words cannot and will not be proven otherwise!
It is believed that he had mentioned to the effect, that is the learned people who will distance people from Islam, and we are seeing its reality.
Today we have so many Islamic scholars who believe nothing except what they have learned from where ever! They do not want to believe in what other scholars have to say! No! Nothing more and nothing less! To this some call extremism, and the likes!
So who ever want their branch to grow, they bring their liking and preach!
Who ever wants the others to wither and drop will do what ever it takes to make it happen! This is reality!
Are these necessary?
It is very obvious that President Nasheed and other apostates of MDP are behind creating problems for Adhaalath party.We are very much aware from all Nasheeds actions like closing down the two arabic medium schools hatred for islam and the vicious plan to eradicate the islamic way of life of the people of maldives.The youth minister while claims that the stadium is strictly for football players he welcomed the filthy people of the hellfire the Bony M with open arms for their weird show..
@Hashim
Why are you so scared? In fact, why are Muslims so scared.
By watching an beer commercial on TV will influence you to drink?
Fellow countrymen not practicing Islam means you can't go to heaven?
By having an international singer like Akon will convert muslims into christians?
Is Islam so fragile that comments on an website break it?
If you can't be a muslim with non-islamic world surrounding you, then its your fault for having such an weak faith in it.
I Think this beardos wahhabism should be beaned, Minivan news is doing lot for Maldivian youth, majority of maldivian youth is in fear as they dont want to change their country to Afganisthan or Iran, we love our culture of maldives and we want it back, traditional way of Maldivian life style.
From the comments posted here, it seems that many do not want Zakir Naik lecturing in Maldives. I think this is really sad. I think we should support freedom of expression / speech. No one should be afraid to hear his lecture. If anyone does not like to attend his lecture, then you do have the freedom not to attend his lecture. This is the true spirit of democracy.
Nashat! Dr.Zakir Naik always reminds people that he is 'a student of comparative religion' Not an Alim of Islamic fiqh!
If your target is to promote Islam would you not send across a person who knows how to sell your product, Islam?
His job is not to lead the faithful in prayer, or teach Ibadaath to Muslims.
ZAKIR NAIK'S AREA IS DAAWAH, NOT IBAADAATH!
DAAWAH IS A TALENT WHILE IBAADAATH IS ACQUIRED KNOWLEDGE. Am I not right?
ANY WILLING MUSLIM CAN TEACH IBAADAATH, BUT ONLY A FEW CAN CONVEY DAAWAH - and Zakir Naik is one of the living few.
Not all faithful can excel in Daawah, and that is undeniable.
WORDS!... DON'T COME EASY!
HOW CAN I FIND A WAY, TO MAKE YOU FEEL, I LOVE YOU, BUT WORDS DON'T COME EASY!?
I find it worrying that everytime someone attempts to have an opinion on Islam they are labelled infidels christians, heretics, what not. This is the type of intolerance that Islam denounces. What right do these people have to intimidate and threaten us whenever we challenge those seeking division, oppression, degradation of women, and fear in our country in the name of Islam? Its time the Ministry of Islamic affairs puts a brake on the hijacking of Islam in the Maldives by the rapidly mushrooming cults in the Maldives preaching misogyny, fascism, and cultural norms alien to our society violating the very essence of Islam. Which God religion or prophet are these people following? The more I hear about them and the more I see them the more I am convinced these people worship the Devil as their God to source the inherent evil and darkness that resides in them and which clearly they cannot control. Human beings are capable of extreme good and extreme evil. I see evil here, not goodness.They decry everything that is beautiful and wonderful about the values of Islam. So who are these people, what is their agenda, and why are they not being regarded as a National Security Risk? What is the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, the Ministry of Home affairs and the MNDF doing about these people? And where are our beloved well paid members of parliament while we are being terrorised by the tyranny of intolerant bigotted misogynist fascists invading our country?
@ YokYok on Tue, 18th May 2010 9:27 AM
"I wish everyone will stop telling everyone else what to do. "
This is so funny because your second sentence after this is YOU telling others what to do. lol
ISLAM IS DOMINATING AFTER ITS INTIMIDATION AT THE HANDS OF ENEMIES OF ISLAM.IT IS DOMINATING IN NEWS,POLITICS AND OF ALL IN THE HEARTS OF NON MUSLIMS.ISLAM IS THE FASTEST GROWING RELIGION IN THE WORLD WITH PEOPLE EMBRASSING IT GOES UP EVERY YEAR.MALDIVIANS WHO LOVE TO COPY, EMULATE THE WESTERN CULTURE FAIL TO REALIZE THAT IN THE NEAR FUTURE ISLAM IS GONNA PREVAIL IN EVERY CORNERS OF THE WESTERN SOCIETY. ZAKIR NAIK IS ONE AMONG THE MOST UNCONTROVERSIAL ISLAMIC SCHOLOR IN THIS WORLD AND PEOPLE SHOULD NOT BRING THEIR DIRTY COMMETS AGAINST HIM WITHOUT ANY KNOWLEDGE...GROW UP AND TRY TO BE TOLERANT TO TRUTH ATLEAST SOMETIMES IN YOUR LIFE
Zakir Naik is an extremist. The librarian of his organization (IRF) was involved in the dastardly Mumbai train blasts in 2006.
He has been the inspiration behind Bangalore based Glasgow terrorist (Sabeel Ahmed).
Jamaat-ud-Dawa (the terrorist organization) responsible for the Mumbai terror operations in 2008 lists Zakir Naik's website as one of it's inspirations.
What more proof do you want ?
Anyway, please go ahead and invite him to as many venues as you want. You will pay for your own costly mistakes.
@Abu Hamza
Some muslims out of frustration resort to violence. That does not mean Islam teaches violence. THAT HAPPENS IN ALL RELIGIONS. CHRISTIANITY, JUDAISM, HINDUSIM, you name it.
Islam teaches "if you have had your fill while your neighbhour is hungry then you will not enter paradise"
Did you find anything related to terror on Zakir Naik's website??
"That does not mean Islam teaches violence."
And pigs fly!
Tell that to the victims of terror attacks how some poor misguided youth took out their "frustration" on their loved ones.
Your "frustration" theory has been shred to pieces by everyone already.
The victims of Jihad are not restricted to contemporary times (where you raise your usual bogey of globalization and America and whatnot) but range throughout the centuries. Millions of Hindus and Zoroastrians were slaughtered by pious Muslims. Tell it to their descendents.
Meanwhile, as I am not a resident of Maldives, I would like you to taste your own medicine. Please go ahead and invite the likes of Salafi preachers like Naik and pay your price in blood.
"Islam teaches “if you have had your fill while your neighbhour is hungry then you will not enter paradise”"
It also says that disbelivers are worse than animals.
Good for you if you believe your own tripe. One less potential terrorist to worry about.