Tag: Jamiyathul Salaf

Jamiyatul Salaf calls on government to reconsider UN peacekeeping deal

Local Islamic NGO Jamiyatul Salaf has called on the government to reconsider the decision to have Maldivian troops participate in the United Nations peacekeeping force.

“Jamiyyatul Salaf rejects this and express grave our concern over this matter to the Maldivian citizens,” said the group.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Salaf called on the Maldivian authorities to “fear Allah and be more concerned about the Muslim Ummah”, requesting President Abdulla Yameen, the People’s Majlis, and the minister of defence reconsider the decision to place “Maldivian Muslims soldiers” among “dubious UN forces”.

Following the signing of an MOU between the Maldives and the UN last week, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that a small contingent of military observers and infantry personnel will be deployed over the next two years.

“Given that history has proved with certainty that armies taking part in the UN forces have to act against Muslims, and that a Maldivian Muslim army is also part of the UN force, taking part in action against Muslims even in that capacity cannot be acceptable under any circumstance,” read the Salaf statement.

“It would be highlighted as harmful and dangerous days in the Maldivian Islamic history. Therefore, this should not even be allowed under Maldivian laws,” said the NGO, arguing that wars against Muslims around the world are waged without any reasonable grounds and that infidels are using biological weapons against Muslims.

Noting that the first priority of the Maldives should be its sovereignty and Islamic unity, Salaf suggested that Maldivians have recently experienced how “CMAG, the Commonwealth, and other infidel organisations and nations” have tried to change truths and “assisted falsehoods” in their ways of justice.

After the controversial transfer of presidential power in February 2012, the Maldives was suspended from the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) – the Commonwealth’s democracy and human rights arm.

CMAG also drew criticism from the government after expressing concerns in delays to the 2013 presidential election, declaring its belief that first round had been credible after the result was annulled by the Supreme Court.

“In addition to this, it would not be impossible for the country become a target of dangerous and horrifying attacks from within and without as a result of this [taking part in the UN forces],” the NGO continued, warning anyone who dies fighting on the side of infidels in a war against Muslims would be considered an apostate and should be treated as a non-Muslim in every way.

In what seemed to be a reference to recent police investigations into Maldivians fighting in the Syrian civil war, Salaf said that, for fear of international disapproval, Maldivians are not being allowed to train themselves in foreign countries for obligatory Jihad against infidels who are fighting against Muslims.

The group remarked that it would be unfair to allow Maldivian Muslims to fight in the ranks of infidels against fellow Muslims.

Reports emerged last month of two Maldivian citizens being killed while fighting pro-government forces in Syria, with the government refusing to make any official comment on the jihadis as police begin investigations.

Salaf’s disapproval of the participation in UN operations was also expressed when President Mohamed Nasheed’s administration first announced the decision in 2011.

Nasheed’s government at the time stated that it was “important for the Maldives to contribute to the efforts of these international agencies and institutions to ensure that every country, every society and every individual has the opportunity to live in peace and security.”

The parliamentary approval for Maldivian participation in UN peacekeeping missions was granted in October 2011 with 56 votes in favour, five abstentions and 11 votes against.

The Maldives National Defence Force said the participation of the Maldives’ troops would be decided upon by the government.

President’s Office spokesperson today told Minivan News that there has been no change in the government’s stand on the issue.

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New regulations will defend Islam in the Maldives, says Islamic Ministry

The Ministry of Islamic Affairs said draft regulations under the Religious Unity Act will incorporate recommendations by Jamiyathul Salaf to “protect and defend Islam in an Islamic state like the Maldives”.

In a letter sent to the Islamic association yesterday, the ministry said recommendations made by Salaf earlier this month were already included in the regulations currently being reviewed by the attorney general’s office.

“The purpose of the regulations that have been drafted is to protect the country and Maldivian society from brutal and harsh practices, divisions and antagonism in the name of Islam and from practices that contradict Islam and Islamic culture,” it reads.

The 11 recommendations made by Salaf included removing anything that conflicts with Islam from the education curriculum or subject syllabuses, making it an offence to spread other religions and openly sell or possess any items that symbolise religious holidays of other religions, and specifying measures to be taken against expatriate teachers found to be promoting other religions or inciting hatred of Islam among students.

Moreover, the proposed regulations should empower the authorities to check printing presses and bookshops for material in conflict with Islam, and make it an offence to publish such opinions or views in the media.

Salaf also recommended obligating non-Muslim visitors to inhabited islands to adhere to a code of dress and conduct appropriate to an Islamic environment.

Furthermore, the regulations should ensure that photos and videos used in advertisements do not clash with Islamic codes of behaviour and make it illegal to introduce elements of foreign cultures that conflict with Islam.

Salaf’s recommendations further call for specifying penalties for those who openly “challenge or defy” God, his Prophet or Islamic shariah, and make it an offence to disrespect the Prophet or his companions.

Lastly, Salaf recommends the creation of a council to take measures against people who issue religious fatwas (edicts or decrees) without the requisite education or learning.

Unless these recommendations are incorporated in the regulations, Salaf’s letter states, it would be “meaningless” and could “open doors” to other religions and cultures.

Salaf claimed action was not taken against Christian missionaries under the old regulations, and were instead used to “punish, jail and torture” Maldivians who “loved Islam and tried to find the right path”.

The letter goes on to recommend that the proposed rules are put up for a public discussion among religious scholars.

In response the letter from the Islamic Ministry, signed by State Minister Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed, states that the president’s office, Maldives Police Service and experienced religious scholars were consulted during the drafting process, which spanned six months.

The letter goes on to say the ministry regrets that Salaf has been criticising the ministry and attempting to “mislead the public” about its policies instead of offering either assistance or constructive help.

Moreover, it reads, the ministry regrets that Salaf’s president Abdullah bin Ibrahim Mohamed refused an invitation to join the Fiqh academy or help draft Friday sermons.

“But ultimately, even if you do it from afar, we believe sharing such counsel is a good step for the future and we are grateful for it,” it reads.

Salaf responded to the letter today, thanking the ministry for assuring the association that its recommendations were already in the regulations.

“What remains now is the wait for the regulations to become enforced,” Salaf replied.

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