Additional reporting by Neil Merrett.
President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan has hosted a special dinner in Male’ to honour Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, a renowned Indian national who is described on his official website “as a humanitarian leader, a spiritual leader and ambassador of peace”.
At an official dinner held Saturday evening, Waheed presented a plaque to Shankar in appreciation of his humanitarian work, although he is not thought to have conducted any activities in the country to date.
The government has informed local media that during the function, Waheed praised Shankar for advocating peace, noting the high importance at present for the people of the Maldives to also work in the spirit of unity and peace.
Speaking to Minivan News today, President’s Office Media Secretary Masood Imad said he had received no information whether Shankar would be conducting any projects in the Maldives.
“I know his organisation has some experience working in the areas of drug rehabilitation and social work,” he said, adding that the Gender Ministry would ultimately be responsible for any projects conducted in these areas should they go ahead.
Under Maldivian law, it is illegal for Maldivians to practice any faith other than Sunni Islam in the country. The public preaching of other faiths is also outlawed.
However, addressing Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s claims of being a spiritual leader, Masood said that any attempts to make the visit a religious matter would be blowing the situation “out of proportion”.
“He has visited over 154 countries including Iraq and Egypt. There is a potential to let [Shankar] go back and talk about the Maldives in a nice way. That would be good for us,” he said.
Masood added that with Shankar having a strong number of supporters, which includes film makers, there was also a chance that high profile productions could be shot in the Maldives, promoting the destination further around the world and creating strong publicity for the country.
“Personally I have no problem with him being here. He is a social worker. It all depends on how you view him,” he added.
Local media has meanwhile reported (Dhivehi) that the President of the religious Adhaalath Party, Sheikh Imran Abdulla, had said that President Waheed’s meeting with Shankar should not be seen as a problematic issue.
“A person meeting with another person is never a problem. It is what is said or done in these meetings that could become a problem,” Sheikh Imran said.
He added that efforts were currently being undertaken to find out the exact nature of discussions during the meeting between Dr Waheed and Shankar, as well as the justification in the president deciding to meet a man “who is aiming to spread Hinduism”.
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Humanitarian leader in Maldives???. What he can bring to these semi-literate uncivilized barbarians. For these fishermen, any spiritual human being from any other religion is not a human and would regard him as their enemy. This fine tuned spiritual man will be a laughing stock for these close minded people who live in a well like frogs.
With most foreign leaders being reluctant to accept Maldives Government's invitation these days, the President's guest list is rather limited. Give him a break, guys! After all, any self respecting President must entertain a foreign guest at a state function once in a while to show off presidential prestige. Otherwise, whats the point of being the President?
Secretly spreading hinduism, oooooh, the cancer begins, lol.
"He has visited over 154 countries including Iraq and Egypt." says Masood Imad. So what? Pope John Paul had visited 129 countries and even prayed in the Umayyad Mosque in Syria. He was still someone who promoted Catholicism. It is not the visit of the His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar that is the issue. It is the hypocrisy and double standards that this govt applies to itself and to the MDP govt. The claim that it is unIslamic for GMR to run the airport and at the same time spending public money for someone who spreads Hinduism under the guise of spirituality is HYPOCRISY of the highest order.
Maybe Waheed's daughter suggested the meeting
This country is crazy ...
@ bodi kaashilee vilaa burumaa
im with you man !
This is bloody hilarious......an intolerant 100% muslim country hosting a hindu spiritual leader unknown outside the state of Karnataka!!......was he allowed to bring in all his religious artifacts into the 'holy' atolls I wonder?.....his idols, sacred texts and holy ganges water?
Your mad mullahs must be going blue with apoplectic rage. I guess Sheikh Imran and his bearded thugs will soon be rampaging through the streets of Male to 'protect islam'.
Your president can invite Kareena Kapoor or the Dalai Lama but you ain't getting any more loans or handouts from India OK?......nice try though.
Your president's office must be desperate for invited guests. I wonder who's next on the guest list......Mickey Mouse perhaps?
"Fish Head"that explain a lot about your character.we don't want some 8 headed Indian homo to come here in the Maldives to tell us what humanitarian is.F***K*FF.check your size.intelligent fishermen s, isn't it? we gave you an ultimatum to leave in this fishing village or we will take airport by force.have we not done that yet? if you don't shut your fk mouth, we have a replacement ready at sea too.air is already closed temporary. there are people who willing to do that at any cost.once its done you will know whats the difference between a cow and fish.don't moos on us.
If he suggests anything like hinduism waheed should stop him. Nasheed did not stop that woman pi'lle or whatever her name was.
Being an Indian, I would say that, Maldives is doing a stupid Job as bringing a Hindu Relegious leader to maldives to start up a Deaddiction centre .!!
Nice! next will be Dalai Lama!
" “A person meeting with another person is never a problem. It is what is said or done in these meetings that could become a problem,” Sheikh Imran said.
He added that efforts were currently being undertaken to find out the exact nature of discussions during the meeting between Dr Waheed and Shankar, as well as the justification in the president deciding to meet a man “who is aiming to spread Hinduism”. "
This is the height of hypocrisy and is total bull s**t!
For Imran, nothing done by Waheed or Maumoon will ever be a problem untilthe movement he is supporting comes to power.
This is the reality.
Hindus and Muslims as religions are opposing beliefs.
And the social component can have a nominal margin of relationship.
And I cannot guess why Waheed has to bring this Sadhu to discuss anti drug or social matters unless of course Waheed wants to introduce this Sadhu's belief in to the local Islam society!
His sons and daughters are all said to be Hindhus.
And the youngest, Fidha of course is known to be a follower of the Kalima and is seen delivering speeches about benefits etc., etc.!
She of course must have been enjoying the pleasure of being the Kalima while Tantra is being bestowed upon her by Shree Shree Ravi Shankar or who ever Sadhu delivering the Tantra as in the Kamasutra!
Sadhu Shree Shree Ravi Shankar preaches about love! Making love! Delivering Love (through Tantra, perhaps)! Perhaps this is the technique used to get people rid of addiction and get rehabilitated in the many centers conducted by Sadhu Shree Shree Ravi Shankar!
And you can imagine things that can happen in any of these Ashrams in India!
This is non of it!
Waheed got GMR kicked out at the beck and call of Maumoon, who has already sent his hunting dog Nazim to China to cement the deal of running and developing the INIA!
Now Waheed needs to wash away the dirt and try bring India closer!
Karnataka, that is a more modernized state is being brought close to lubricate the damaging friction and the beck and call of his Kalima daughter, to introduce Hinduism to Maldives (Maumoon has already brought Christianity in)!
Imran being the hypocrite he is, is covering up and painting it otherwise, just as he did before!
Be aware!
I am afraid I tend to agree with MissIndia. This is hilarious, given the current situation. Spiritualty in the Maldives, my foot! Bloody double standards!
We people do not need someone who speaks good for us.
We need only those who can spoil our lives like .............
A person meeting with another person is never a problem Especially when Both are wearing Masks or cheating people). It is what is said or done in these meetings that could become a problem,” Sheikh Imran (like when the coup leaders Plotted).
White washed rotten eggs...Hypocrites. Don't think a nation like India can be fooled ...they have seen many Ravi shankers and may more
In other words India is the cultural toothpaste of Maldivians.