A group of men, including an imam, were arrested in Alif Alif atoll Maalhos on Thursday after photos and videos emerged of the seven engaged in homosexual activity.
An islander who spoke on condition of anonymity told Minivan News a group of teenagers from the island came upon the video CDs in the house of one of the suspects. When the CDs began to be circulated in public, the “island elders” alerted police.
“It came as a big shock to everyone on the island to see that [the imam] was one of them. He gives the Friday sermons at the mosque every week,” he said. “He is a well respected person on the island and we saw him as our religious leader.”
Besides the imam, the pornographic videos featured a mosque caretaker, a carpenter and another man the islanders believe to be mentally unstable, the islander claimed.
“He is a deranged person. We have always seen him running around the island naked,” he said.
Of the three men not featured in the video, two were incriminated in photos found along with the videos, he continued, while the third was believed to have filmed the pornography.
Three of the suspects were married with children, the islander said, while one of them included a second, retired imam. The youngest of the seven men was aged 27, while the rest were over 45 years of age, he said.
Miadhu reported other islanders as claiming that two of the seven men consider themselves “as husband and wife.”
Sergeant Ahmed Shiyam from the Maldives Police Service confirmed the arrests were made on Thursday following a report from the islanders. The seven men are currently in police custody. All were residents of Maalhos.
A spokesperson for the Islamic Ministry said they were not yet aware of the case and could not speculate on any measures that could be taken. Meanwhile Abdullah bin Mohamed Ibrahim, President of Islamic NGO Salaf Jamiya, also said he was unable to comment as they did not have complete information on the case.
Under the existing penal provisions, the punishment for sodomy is 19 to 39 lashes, banishment or imprisonment of up to three years.
Another islander from Maalhos who spoke to Minivan News said a group of people had become suspicious of the seven men before the videos came out.
“They have been following them around for a long time now,” he said. “They were suspicious before, and the videos just confirmed it.”
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to think we put our trust in these people! so called religious scholars.
6 men and 1 imam ....hmmm ....By Imam , u mean he's in a gender of his own...??? 😀
Point taken. Fixed!
It seems the profession of being an Imam quite an easy job, is an attractive prospect for anyone who wishes to be Gay in anonymity
Imams are men too...So why not write it as 7 men...
mitha 6 man and an imam jahaafa miothee keeh kuranba..? hama dheena dhetherey nafrath ufedhumuge beynumuga noon ehen ehves kamaku noon. miadhu noohuga ves mi vaahaka jahaafa eba oi.. ekamaku nai 6 firihenunna imaamaka ey jahaafa..7 firihenunge vaahaka othee..minivan noos meehun hama gaimuves ufa kuraane kan neyge, ekahala kanthah mi gaumuga fathuran massaikah kura baeh viyya thee..
the arrest of 7 old men in malhos for gay sex goes against the face of what the islamic foundation is saying: that it is minivan news who are advocating homosexuality in the country. Now we know homosexuality is inherent in our culture. As Maldivians, we are told to follow the footsteps of our elders, who are supposed to have infinite wisdom.
Ahmed Mohamed i don't see any thing about any religious scholars. i think you got it all mixed up. An IMAM is not a scholar.
This is a wakeup call for the country. Many imams, katheebs and magistrates of the islands got there by either providing women or being gay partners to various ministers of the by-gone era. Expect more stories to emerge.
yeah he is the lead gay (just lead )
I think its really sad that some people are abusing people with disabilities. If one of them is a person who has a mental disability, it can be a case of abuse. He should not have been arrested for whatever reason as he would not have the mental capacity to commit such a crime. I think this is the reason why there needs to be more protection of people with disablilities and their rights. I have a sister with a mental disability and I know for certain that she would not have the mentality, ability or capacity to commit serious crimes. I call upon the Government and other institutions to release the man with the mental disability immediately if he has been arrested.
As far as religion is concerned, Imam's are not generally learned people, just trained to lead regular prayers in mosque.
Its important that Imam be pointed out as these are people who have been entrusted with a role to play; to lead and guide in religious and spiritual matters.
Imamunnakii varah bodu mass uooliyyatheh havaaulu kurevifivaa baeh.. ehen veema imaamakaa 6 meehunney bunun muhimmu... imaamune therey geay meehun ginaanavese faahaga kurevey...
What is minimum sentence for sodomy does anyone know? The article says it's maximum 3 years with the lashes.
Do we have to be concerened about the leaders at Islamic ministry?!!!
hehheheh 100%muslim
What is this? being gay is what they chose to be. non of our business. LEAVE THEM ALONE
Ahmed Naish, Just pointing Imam isnt the right way, if you want to tell us their occupation then u should write about the rest 6 person too.. why only Imama? You don't like Muslims is it ? There are bad and good people in every religion, if you don't know this.. print it and paste it in your desktop.. cheers
talk about how religious Maldivians are... i, for one, am ashamed by these guys.
huh..!!! Ridiculous...... before we proud to sounds that we are maldivians..... but, now its a shit for us say so.... where the hell is Islamic ministry.... things are going beyound... you guys keep running behind money..hell....!!!! cant expect from you guys....
Homo are not a religion but many religius orders have among homosexual priests due to the fact that "females" is considered the devil temptation.
Why in our country we don't make outing of gay like in other place?
Relationships between consenting adults (obviously not those disabled) should not be punishable
Go back to scriptures if you want know anything about any religion....don't fallow the fallowers of the religion.
@Amidofo
You said: "hehheheh 100%muslim".
While I agree with your implication that the Maldives is certainly not 100% Muslim i don't see the connection with this story. No one ever said Muslims do not sin and sinning does not remove one from Islam.
The man made laws in this country will be no deterrent for such deviant behaviour and so we should not expect it to stop until the Sharia is applied.
Asalaam Alaikum,
I would like to advice the minivannews to stop campaigning against Islam.
Your aim at the begining were to change the previous government cause it was corrupt and a dictatorship.We as Maldivians appreciate what you did and your website had been publishing very important matters.
But your real purpose and agenda came into the light when the govrnment change and you guys got the upper hand.
Maybe minivannews can write an article about child abuse conducted by christian priests and bishops.The christianity the minivannews is so keen to bring into the Maldives.
If i go to statistics there are 11000 cases child . From this 3300 were not investigated cause the alleged priest was already dead.81 percent of the victims were males.78 percent were age between 7 and 11.So i dont think just because some pervert imam of a mosque had gay relation it should be headlines.For the past 20 years its the first time i heard an Imam doing something like this.Its sad but just because a imam does a thing like that it doesnt mean that Islam is to be blamed for that.
Jeffrey Dahmer was a gay serial killer he didint had a beard and was not an Imam of a mosque.So does that mean all the people without this characteristics are gay or perverts.
And with all do respect it was MINIVANNEWS who published a article creatiing a window of opportunity for gay rights.So why voice out against gay rights now.
Riluwan's comments are interesting but do not make much sense and I ask him to clarify.
I cannot see anything in Minivannews articles to show that it is "campaigning against Islam".
I cannot speak for Minivannews regarding its activities but I have always seen it as a site that published the facts in a balanced way. During the previous regime, it may have looked "anti government" but that was only because the government did not allow any news of its wrongdoings to be published and most other newspaper and website was owned by proven goverment sympathisers.
I appreciate very much that Minivannews has remained balanced and now can even be seen by people with "old thinking" as "anti-government" because it continues to publish news about what the government may have done wrong.
Riluwan's comments about "real purpose and agenda..." are not supported by the facts.
There are no "christian priests and bishops.." in Maldives so there is no news about any "child abuse" or other activities they may have committed becaused they do not exist. Minivannews has already published details about an alleged American missionary who is to be deported, so I don't see any evidence of them supporting a christian agenda as claimed by Riluwan.
The statistics Riluwan has put forward may be true. It is true that many priests have been involved in child abuse, homosexuality and a lot of things they should not be doing. It is also very true that this applies to so-called "religious people" from all religions. There are gay Buddhist priests and there are child abusers who teach in madrassas. It is a sad fact that people with religious authority who struggle to present an image of being religious sometimes (maybe even often?) end up failing to live up to the image. Many times it is the vulnerable who suffer from these failings.
But I don't think this is something Minivannews should report, unless it happens in the Maldives or if there is a comparison of sexual antics of "religious people" in Maldives with "religious people" elsewhere. If a Christian Bishop has a gay orgy with an Imam in Maalhos, I hope Minivannews lets us know and I will be VERY disappointed if they hide the news about the Bishop and only tell us about the Imam.
The comment about Minivannews publishing "..a article creatiing a window of opportunity for gay rights" is both wrong and very unfair. Minvannews published someone's letter (not an article) which I did not see and I'm sure most visitors to the site did not see. When the scandal about the letter started, it had already been withdrawn. But it was very easy to get hold of the letter from an organisation that was supposed to be promoting Islam, and from TV stations, which then publicised the matter to a very wide audience. So with greatest respect, I ask Riluwan to give the credit for "creatiing a window of opportunity" to the people who really did this and not to Minivannews which I think did what it has always done: published the facts in a balanced way.
Asalaam Alaikum Adam Moosa,
Thank you for your comment.Its good to know that some one had read my comment.
I have no objection to the fact that the role played by Minivan news to over throw the previous government.We as Maldivians appreciate it.
But their hidden agenda had come into the light when they started publishing interviews and articles which strongly supported bringing foreign religions into the Maldives.The site had never published an article which supports any Islamic views or ideas up to my knowledge.If they had please do forward me the article name.The site had strongly criticized Adhaalath party and the Salaf in many articles.These are two major groups which voice out to spread Islam.Anti Islamic views are are a common thing on the site.For example check the most read articles.Concubine,Imam and missionaries are some words which might ring a bell in your mind.How many interviews i had seen in the site which goes against Islam.Yes it was a letter they published which supports gay rights.They did remove it.But why?Cause there was an outcry in the public.Yes Adhaalath party notified the public about the letter and i believe that they did the right thing. I posted few letters to Minivan news which criticized some articles they published.Why were they not published?For sure my letters were more moderate compared to the letter which calls for gays rights in an Islamic country.
Why haven't Minivan news written an article about the under secretary of president office refusing to give a urine test on drug case.She been caught twice with drugs.What happen to the vow made by MDP about drugs.But the concubine rum our were on the headlines all the time.This happened in Maldives not in any other foreign country. This is what you call balance and democratic.
The site had created a heaven for people who had hidden hatred for Islam to public ally post their views against Islam.
In my thirty years in the Maldives i have never seen a local TV channel,Radio station,news paper,magazine or website which had public ally defamed Islam to the level and degree Minivan new had done.
Its not a maybe its the truth regarding the priests go search the web.You will see things if you really want to see it.
Thank you.
Rilwan:
why is it when Islam is criticized Muslims feel as if the world is ending. but when an Islam criticizes another religion they feel its the path for heaven?
dosn't that tick a bell in head?
Dear Muhammed,
Islam had never critisized any religion.In Quran Allah(SWA) had call out to the whole human race to whorship Allah(SWA)and for unity .Muhammed(SAW)had called out for unity among non muslims and muslims.It is the followers and some imams spreading hate to achieve some political benefit or power.This is a misconception.
Most of the critizism towards Islam are misconceptions.
Muslims are like a one body when a part of the body is hurt the whole body is in pain.We are great in numbers and when one is hurt every one is hurt.Thats what you see and it is proof that it is the one and only religion.You wont see this unity among any other group of people.They dont have the spine to stand up even for their own self.Also check who had critisized who in the world more its muslims or non muslims.Who had invaded whom is some aspects you should put to account.
Thank you.
Rilwan, you just made me laugh a bit. anyways in Quran it says if a Muslim converts to another religion or becomes an Athiest he/she should be killed.
to my conscious mind killing some one for the difference in beliefs is very inhuman.
i do agree Muslims are very united but unity dosnt prove that a specific religion or belief system is perfect.
a good example is Adolf Hitlers era.
"They dont have the spine to stand up even for their own self" - do u really think so?
Dude, maybe your "conscious" mind is'nt really conscious after all!! hehe
Killing someone for different believes has perfect logic and it's practiced through out the world!! For instance, to a serial killer, murdering dozens of people would not be the wrong thing.
So are we supposed to let him roam free?.. To kill many more??..
Then comes the death sentence.. =)
=Killed for different beliefs eh?=
You have just made my day "Muhamed".. lolz
Dear Muhamed bin ,
You don't have to laugh a bit you can laugh as loud as possible.We as Muslims know that we will be dealt like this. Even the Quraish of the Mecca laughed and joked at Muhammad(SAW).But where is Islam now .The fastest growing and most practiced religion in the world.In the Maldives itself how many youths had found salvage in Islam from the materialistic world.
About your question regarding death penalty or capital punishment for apostasy. In the west death sentence is still conducted.If you are not aware from 1976 to 2009 in United States only there were 1188 executions and there are 3302 people in death row.
What is the punishment for espionage and spying.It is death penalty in most of the countries.If you compare both apostasy and espionage it is very similar.Since there are so many enemies of Islam it is possible and it had happened that people embrace Islam just to exploit it.So in a world where so many people are pointing finger at Islam it is very likely that such evil plotting or planning will be used to public ally criticize Islam creating hatred and misconception.For example if an Indian Army General is caught spying for Pakistani government what will be the out come of the guy.They will give him the most severe punishment possible.Cause this guy is endangering the citizens and the national security of the country.I think you will remember two Maldivian women who spend years in Indian jail for accusation of spying for Pakistan. They were not convicted or the case was not even proven but see the cruelty they went through. So like this apostasy is betrayal and harmful to Islam.That is the reason there is such a harsh punishment for apostasy.Allah(SWA) knows the best.
Yes, Muslims are not united now.That is the reason we are so weak.But look at the history.They defeated the Persians and the Romans which were the super powers of that time.Unity among Taliban fighters had shattered the American,Russian and British armies.If Muslims are united no body can touch them.That is the reason why our enemies are so tirelessly plotting hate among Muslim countries and corrupt muslim leaders.
You are comparing the movement of the biggest tyrant the world have ever seen to the unity among Muslims.Anyway where is Hitler and his Nazi movement.He killed himself in his bunker.The Messenger Muhammad(SAW) and the companions had brought their teaching to our doorstep.Islam is still growing and it will grow and become once again the super power.The enemies of Islam wont be able to do anything.
Yes,if they have the guts they don't have to send comments or critisize under the shadow of corrupt website.They are even hiding there own identity.In Palestine small Palestinian children are fighting the Israeli soldiers and the tanks.This is what i call being able to stand up for the religion and for your self.
Thank you.
Seriously? Let people live their lives! Why interfere with one's personal choices? Religion is the death of society!
I wonder what'll happen to our 100% islamic status now...
Oh, and Hitler left for America after WWII. Ever hear of Operation Paperclip?
There's a lesson to be learned here. No matter what people say or preach, no matter how short their trouser or how long their beards are,...they could very well be filthy evil people behind their veils..
Intelligence division has acquired some data that may explain the motive of this entire escapade.
From the famous book of Imam Ghazali (Ihya Uloom Ed-Din)
(P1.117; P.1.149-150; p.1.181)
"Unconditional Paradise is assured for him who works as an Imam in a mosque. A Muazzin (crier of prayer) will enter Paradise unconditionally after his service of forty years. Your Imam is the representative of God on your behalf. An Imam stands between God and His servants. Pray behind an Imam to enter Paradise. You can knock at the door of Paradise through fasting."
Makes sense now, doesn't it?.
dear Mr karma..
it is not a matter of trousers n beards. its a matter of ignorance. there is nothing wrong about the religion n religious ways.. nothing wrong about the beards n trousers. the individual who did it is wrong.
no it duznt make any sense.
Imam Ghazali was a mystical philosopher and strongly adopted sufi ideas in his books.
who said an imam is the person who stands between me and god..and who said you needed one?????.May be am not aware of it! but it doesn't make sense @ all. heheheheheh!i dont think i would allow any person to represent me to my god. Mind it!
@Axe
the articles talks about "an imam among seven men"
we better let the salaf and adhaalath guys to appoint only the true muslims lead. The old so called moderate imams are more towards such activities..
imams of misguidance we see nw bt da way story is tld in minivan news is lil bit leanin towards gay..pro gay i guess i hav 2 agree with rilwan
to be a gay is a personal choice...being gay doesn't mean he isnt a Muslim....Its something inborn...or acquired due to an experience.....In every society gay people exist...be it Buddhist,Christians or Jews or Hindus.....So lets not make a hoohah about minivan or nay one is pro gay or being gay is anti gay.....Lets make facts right....Maldives has a large no. of gay people...may be its due to close proximity with same sex people or may be due to congestion.....If u visit sites like Tagged or hi5 or even facebook you will realize that there are so many gays in Maldives....are all of them evil or non-moslems...no they are not just because of their personal preference they cant be blamed as non Muslims......Yeah many gays camouflage themselves as imams and even wahabis with big beards just to live happily as gays and to exploit young boys...but any way its their fear and insecurity which prompts them to lead double lives...many married Maldivians too engage in homosexual affairs and flings...In this world its all about fun ...and everyone does what they desire wether they are Muslims or non-Muslims....No religion preach to have a homosexual partner but its the peolple who go in this bent ways...I would say there are less straights than gays in the society be it orthodox Muslim or Christians...so jus shut up
Maybe you hate Muslims and even you hypocrite writer why not you change even your name to appear as infidel. Why do you take this serious when you don't feel ashamed to see that political appointees are drunk and drugged.
minivan OLD news ahaha well looks like your having have reason to keep this as MINIVAN NEWS dec 09. 🙂
je suise albert well in fact they enjoy life! ahah as we , needs two ( agreement) to do an act like this dho 🙂 so all are enjoyed the live of LOVE !
Can Minivan News find out how the trial went? It'll be nice to know.. thanks.
HEE HEE HEE. i laughed all day to this 😀 and i'd say "i told you so" but then, you already know. here they are preaching to us but what're they up to? they're keeping it on the D-L, they are. fucking fags.
Please also bring the stories of Catholic Church Child Abuse Scandles.
HILATH must be loving this! This is allowed in any other western nation, so problem of HUMAN RIGHTS HERE? come on don't teach us this kind of homohumanrights!
Yes;If he is a God fearing,well educated islamic Leading person he should not do such things, thats why everyone pointing out "aaah Imam'Imam" which means they know very well that Islamic Imam Should not do such a nasty things as is is the best and true religion, He should be Imam in name, Like Some father of christion church who play Homosexulity with young boys..!?
Arab saying...boys are for fun, women are for marrying.