President Nasheed has asked German scholars with expertise in Sharia law to help apply it to certain fields in the Maldives, during his visit to Berlin.
“I have done my homework and I am quite aware of the amount of German discourse in Islamic jurisprudence”, President Nasheed said, according to German news site deutschenachrichten.
Nasheed told the German press that Maldivian law was based on Sharia, but warned them about “jumping to the wrong conclusions.”
“We are a tolerant and free country, and we want to keep it that way,” he said.
Press S for the President’s Office Mohamed Zuhair said that Germany was a country where a large number of experienced and professional scholars live.
”In the 20th century, the highest standard of Islamic universities was also in Germany,” Zuhair said.
Zuhair said the government had discussed the request for German assistance with the Islamic Ministry, which had expressed its approval.
However spokesperson for the Islamic Ministry Sheikh Ahmadullah said he had no information about the matter and did not want to comment.
Zuhair explained that “many Islamic books also were preserved in Germany” and believed that “German religious scholars would be more experienced than Maldivian scholars.”
”The origins of Sharia code would not be changed,” Zuhair said. ”They will only help in some areas like taxation.”
He said the president had received very positive answers in response to his interest.
State Minister for Islamic Affairs Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed said if good advice was given “it should always be heard and acted upon.”
Shaheem said people should realise “that there are Islamic scholars all around the world, and not only in Arabic countries.”
“The are good scholars in many countries,” Shaheem said, “even in those where Islamic people are in a minority.”
”Even a scholar like Sheikh Bukhari (a famous scholar of the Hadiths) was not from an Arabic country,” Shaheem explained.
“If a scholar in another country can give the right information on Sharia law, we have to accept it. But if anyone gives the wrong information, we have scholars here who can tell us the right way to implement Sharia.”
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"But if anyone gives the wrong information, we have scholars here who can tell us the right way to implement Sharia.”
Did I mention that Shaheem is an extremely able politician? Creating a power base in our country, and quite successfully?
I just thought we should reflect upon the qualifier in the last sentence of the quote from him.
the fundamental issue of sharia law at the moment is the gap evident in the code between theory and practice. By whihc I mean there is a fundamental rift between the AMEER (ie. the Prince or the executive) and the FAQEEH (the jurist) that goes back to the middle ages. It is known for instance that Imam Shafi'i tightened the rules of islamic jurisprudence of his predecessor Imam Abu Hanifah SO THAT THE PRINCES WONT HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO CHANGE LAWS TO THEIR WHIMS. This eventually lead to the "closing of the door of ijtihad or logical reasoning". While Iman Shafi'i actions were intended to seperate the judiciary from the executive, it is now time for us to revisit the methods of Imam Abu Hanifa because the gap has become too wide.
“If a scholar in another country can give the right information on Sharia law, we have to accept it. But if anyone gives the wrong information, we have scholars here who can tell us the right way to implement Sharia.”
WELL, AREN'T WE VERSATILE?
'Zuhair said the government had discussed the request for German assistance with the Islamic Ministry, which had expressed its approval'
Is the Islamic Ministry separate from the rest of the government? Is Shaheem above the president for him to comment on it separately? Fire him, I say.
“But if anyone gives the wrong information, we have scholars here who can tell us the right way to implement Sharia.”
Aren't we glad we have Shaheem overlooking Islam for us?
Saving us from all those untruths predominant among western scholars?
Perhaps the President should have offered the Germans the services of the Adhaalathu party, to correct all that is wrong in Islam among Muslims there... and enlighten them with 'Actual' Islam?
Zuhair almost said the revaluation of Quran to Prophet Muhammad(PBUH) also came in Germany. I dont understand whom he is trying to convince, Islamic Shariyyaa best can be learn from Christian Majority European country where most Muslim minorities dont have basic human rights to wear even Hijab or have minarets.
If Zuhair said we can learn from Germany, how to run concentration camps, and ethnic cleansing then we can belive, because thats their past.
I am more concerned that they are willing to take advise from scholars in a European country where they need more help from other scholars for the current anti-Muslim movements led by proudly white and racists who wants that region to be rid of Muslims and other Asians. If you read the news in Europe politically these parties are getting big support.
For the Islamic ministry to be able to accept that they are willing to listen and talk to them shows the maturity. But ofcourse no one is going to agree that he is going to listen to someone else's advise without having the right to say, we believe your wrong. Especially do not think any liberal would. Right?
I think in any meeting or advise given, that option is logically the most common sense one out there. Otherwise it would be more like a dictatorship where we just have to obey without being able to disagree.
Interesting how some people would rather see Shaheem say, "Yes we will listen and accept without any disagreement even if we do not agree". Even in European universities, scholars would firstly agree that each person would have the right to disagree. This is thought in school levels in Europe. Especially since Europe is supposed to be so liberal. Maybe the disagreements are from a personal point of view. I really can't say for sure.
I agree with yaamyn
I am a muslim but do not necessarily beleive without questioning, all that is being preached currently in the country be it a taxi, TV, radio, roads etc. I question because there are so many views and interpretations upon many an issue, be it how much a woman should cover herself or if one muslim can call another that he/she is not a muslim etc. I for one would like to hear the view of other islamic scholars on many a matter that is being debated in these forums. I would like to make my decisions based on knowledge rather than follow what is being preached blindly.
Hey Mr President, Where is your next trip to? Vatican? Perhaps you can ask the Pope to teach us Islam! What a joke you Anni.
Why don't Anni ask SALIM WAHEED(JEFF) about sharia and law.Maybe he might be able to give a good answer regarding sale of alcahol,allowing other religions and in Maldives to ANNI.He had traveled from one corner of the world to the other.
hasnt the sharia been interpreted into a penal code by some US professor some years back??? y do v need more ppl to do the same thing? where the heck is the document prepared by prof. robinson o somethin o other?????
What a joke, once again Mr. President has displayed his ignorance and stupidity. And his joker (JUHA) has once again fulfilled his role as the "muran'ga gasdhoshu maalimee":
Zuhair explained that “many Islamic books also were preserved in Germany” and believed that “German religious scholars would be more experienced than Maldivian scholars.” I wonder where this joker gets all the stupid ideas from. I wonder what is next for this regime to advocate. What I. Yasir has posted is something to think about.