Tag: saudi arabia

Islam as a political weapon in the Maldives: Eurasia Review

It is very unfortunate that almost all the political parties except the MDP are using religion as a political tool to keep former president Nasheed from winning the presidential elections this September, writes Dr S Chandrasekharan for the Eurasia Review.

Their main thrust in the election campaign is that all the parties are out to save Islam from Nasheed and his MDP!

It may be recalled that in the famous February 7 coup of 2012, the Islamists along with other recalcitrant elements spearheaded the move to oust a lawfully elected government of Nasheed.

Nasheed is pitching for a “liberal Islam.” Last month on the 28th, he said that what is worrying is that “radical Islam” and “Wahabism” is spreading throughout the Middle East and East Asia and that this is not the Islam but more “hijaz or Saudi thinking, and their culture”. He said that it more an idea to impose that (Saudi) culture on all Islamic societies.

Nasheed added that people have not stood up and given an alternative narrative. It is so important now to come up with an alternative narrative, a liberal version of Islam or actual version” of Islam.” I have no doubt that this kind of statements would affect adversely his chances in the coming elections.

Nasheed is thus not only taking on other political parties but also the mighty Saudi Arabia in his electioneering campaign! He has also criticised the Islamic scholars who according to him “were using religion as a tool to attain their individual political aspirations.”

The crucial point that should be of interest is whether Nasheed will be allowed to contest the next presidential elections. His growing popularity may provoke the extremist elements to do away with him. His personal security is of utmost importance now. It is for India and other international players to ensure a free, fair, violence free and an inclusive election.

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High Court overturns lower court ruling on Hajj quota controversy

The High Court has overturned a lower court’s ruling on the Hajj quota controversy, in which the Civil Court ordered the Islamic Ministry to reevaluate several unsuccessful bids presented by local Hajj groups offering pilgrimages this year.

The Maldives’ quota of 874 pilgrims was divided among eight companies selected by the Islamic Ministry, while the tenders of Al-manasik Private Limited, Al-fathuh Hajj And Umra Group, Al-Safa Private Limited, Classic Hajj and Umra Private Limited were dismissed.

The Islamic Ministry previously told local media that the proposals were rejected because they had not followed the procedures, but were at first accepted by mistake and later dismissed when the ministry realised the proposals were not compliant.

The High Court ruling issued yesterday stated that if people were allowed to do things in violation of procedures, this would make way for corruption.

High Court Judges Abdul Gany Mohamed, Abdulla Hameed and Shuaib Hussain Zakariyya presided over the case and the bench was chaired by Judge Abdul Gany Mohamed.

The ruling of Abdul Gany dissented from the ruling of the other two judges, which formed the majority opinion.

On April 16, the Civil Court ordered the Islamic Ministry reevaluate the proposals of four groups it previously rejected from arranging Hajj pilgrimages to Saudi Arabia this year for Maldivians.

The lawsuit was first filed at the Civil Court by Almanasik Hajj Group, AlFath Hajj And Umra Group, Alsafa Hajj Group, Classic Hajj and Umrah Group.

Performing the annual Hajj pilgrimage at least once in a lifetime is one of the five pillars of Islam.

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Civil Court orders Islamic Ministry to reconsider Hajj group selection

The Civil Court has ordered the Islamic Ministry to reevaluate the proposals of four groups it previously rejected from arranging Hajj pilgrimages to Saudi Arabia this year for Maldivians.

The court ruled that the tenders of Al-manasik Private Limited, Al-fathuh Hajj And Umra Group, Al-Safa Private Limited and Classic Hajj And Umra Private Limited, should all now be reviewed by the country’s religious authorities.

The case was filed at the Civil Court by the four Hajj groups, which claimed that the Islamic Ministry had failed to comply and follow the correct procedures in selecting local companies to take Maldivians to Saudi Arabia.

The Civil Court ruled that the Islamic Ministry had followed the correct procedures in its decision to reject the tender proposals submitted by the four groups.

State Islamic Minister Mohamed Didi today confirmed to local media that a decision had already been taken to appeal the ruling at the High Court.

Didi also claimed that the Islamic Ministry had already divided the Hajj quota among eight groups, adding that any changes would create more problems for pilgrims.

On Sunday (April 14), Didi expressed concern to Minivan News that Maldivians might not be able to make the Hajj pilgrimage this year if the court case contesting the ministry’s choice of eight groups was not resolved in time.

The Civil Court issued a stay order or temporary injunction (Dhivehi) on Thursday (April 11), instructing the Islamic Ministry not to proceed with the chosen Hajj groups pending a ruling on the legality of its selection process.

Didi said at the time that the Islamic Ministry would soon have to sign an official agreement with the Saudi Arabian government to finalise the approved Hajj Groups.

“We have already sent the names of Hajj Groups that we have allowed and the Saudi government will call us to sign the agreement any moment now.  If we had to say no we can’t sign the agreement because we are not sure these Hajj Groups would be able to take people to Saudi Arabia this year as planned, then the Saudi government might not give us another chance,” Didi explained.

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Court case could deprive Maldivians of Hajj pilgrimage, Islamic Ministry warns

Minister of State For Islamic Affairs Mohamed Didi has expressed concern that Maldivians might not be able to make the Hajj pilgrimage this year if a court case contesting the choosing of eight groups authorised to transport pilgrims is not resolved in time.

The Civil Court issued a stay order or temporary injunction (Dhivehi) on Thursday (April 11) instructing the Islamic Ministry not to proceed with the chosen Hajj groups pending a ruling on the legality of the selection process.

The order was issued after four Hajj filed a lawsuit against the Islamic Ministry for allegedly deciding not to evaluate their proposals. The four companies claimed that the ministry violated procedures and guidelines in place for choosing Hajj Groups.

A quota of 874 pilgrims for the Maldives was meanwhile divided among the eight companies selected by the Islamic Ministry.

The quota was reportedly filled an hour after the eight chosen Hajj groups were officially authorised or licensed to serve pilgrims, prompting complaints from the public.

Permanent Secretary Mohamed Didi told Minivan News today that the Islamic Ministry had to sign an official agreement with the Saudi Arabian government to finalise the approved Hajj Groups.

“We have already sent the names of Hajj Groups that we have allowed and the Saudi government will call us to sign the agreement any moment now.  If we had to say no we can’t sign the agreement because we are not sure these Hajj Groups would be able to take people to Saudi Arabia this year as planned, then the Saudi government might not give us another chance,” Didi explained.

If the Civil Court case was not resolved before the agreement with the Saudi government had to be signed, Didi warned of the possibility that all Maldivians wishing to make the pilgrimage this year through local Hajj Groups would miss the opportunity.

“We will respect the court ruling and we are waiting for the court to reach a conclusion on the case,” Didi said.

The lawsuit was filed at the Civil Court by Almanasik Hajj Group, AlFath Hajj And Umra Group, Alsafa Hajj Group, Classic Hajj and Umrah Group.

Performing the annual Hajj pilgrimage at least once in a lifetime is among the five pillars of Islam.

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Saudi Arabia to fund mosque construction

The Ministry of Islamic Affairs has said that an agreement was signed on Thursday for MVR 27 million (US$1.7 million) in free aid from Saudi Arabia for construction of mosques in the country.

According to a press release by the Islamic Ministry, the Maldives Ambassador to Sri Lanka Hussain Shihab and Saudi Ambassador to Maldives Abdul Azeez Jammaz signed the agreement at a ceremony that took place at the Saudi embassy in Sri Lanka.

The Islamic Ministry said a list of islands selected for mosque construction would be made public next week and that it hoped to begin the bidding process next month.

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Lost Maldivian pilgrim found inside Grand Mosque

A Maldivian pilgrim with the Sisilfaru Hajj group reported lost in the late afternoon on Friday was found inside the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca.

According to the local Dhi-Islam news website team in Saudi Arabia, Sarah Adam, of G. Lishan, was found safe and unharmed on Saturday night by the second-in-charge of the Sisilfaru Group, Ibrahim Manik.

Sarah was separated from the group and lost at the plain of Mount Arafat on Friday. Pilgrims are required to spend the afternoon of the ninth day of Dhul Hajja at the Mount Arafat in order to complete the Hajj.

Some 1,000 Maldivian pilgrims with eight groups are currently in Mecca for the Hajj and are due to return on November 3, 4 and 8.

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Piece of Kiswah presented to President Waheed by King Abdullah

Visitors to the president’s official residence of Muleeaage during Sunday’s Eid celebrations were also able to see a piece of the Kiswah given to the Maldives by King Abdullah bin Abdul Azeez, according to local media.

The Kiswah is the cloth used to cover the Kaaba in Mecca. It is an annual tradition for the 658 metre squared silk cloth, embroidered with gold thread, to be cut into pieces and distributed to Muslim organisations and visiting dignitaries.

The Saudi Arabian royal gave the item to President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan during his recent visit to the country for the Organisation for Islamic Cooperation (OIC) summit, Sun Online has reported.

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President Waheed to attend OIC extraordinary session in Saudi Arabia

President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan has today embarked on a visit to Saudi Arabia at the invitation of King Abdulla Bin Abdul Azeez to attend the fourth extraordinary session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Conference.

According to the President’s Office, President Waheed has said a key part of the visit would be discussing the ongoing situation in Syria, while also establishing “close relations” with the Islamic community and discussing potential financial assistance from fellow delegates.

President’s Office spokesperson Abbas Adil Riza told Minivan News that while addressing Syria at the OIC emergency summit was the key focus of the visit, the president would also be talking with participants regarding different types of possible financial assistance for the country.

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Waheed congratulates new Saudi Heir Apparent

President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan has sent a congratulatory message to the new Heir Apparent to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Following the death of Crown Prince Nayef bin Abdul Aziz last week, His Highness Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud assumes the position of next in line to the Saudi Arabian throne.

President Waheed offered his congratulations on behalf of the Maldivian people.

“While I express my hope for further strengthening the brotherly relations and co-operation that so happily exist between our two countries, may I also take this opportunity to convey my personal best wishes for a long life in good health and happiness for Your Highness, as well as for the continued progress and prosperity of the brotherly people of Saudi Arabia,” read Waheed’s message.

The funeral of Prince Nayef bin Abdul Aziz on Sunday was attended by former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom as Waheed’s Special Envoy.

Gayoom was visiting Saudi Arabia to address the Constituent Council of the Muslim World League earlier this month, where he called for assistance from Islamic Arab countries in developing education and other services in the Maldives, as well to protect the country’s faith by “groups” he alleged are trying to weaken it.

The former president reportedly claimed that the present economic downturn, a loss of peace and order in the country and efforts “by groups of people to weaken people’s Islamic faith”, were among the most pressing challenges presently facing the Maldives.

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