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.
(0)Dislikes
(0)