The New Religious Unity Regulations

It is indeed a paradox that one of the most secular political parties in the Maldives, MDP, which is now in the Government, is going to the extent of supporting very extreme positions of Adalath Party for political survival.

The new Religious Unity Regulations, which has been getting a lot of attention especially amongst some very concerned citizens of the Maldives, who also happens to be Muslims, is like a joke to many. Trying to preserve religious unity through a law or a regulation???

The President or the Adalath Party should not be under the illusion that religious unity could be maintained through force; we, the Maldivians, have been Muslims for centuries and religion was never a question of contention in the good old days. There were no laws or regulations relating to the preservation of Islam or religious unity. Those were the days when the deep rooted customs and values prevailed. Those were the days we allow our people to learn, to explore and to decide for themselves. We were then tolerant, supportive and not judgemental of others unlike now. We were strong in our beliefs. No one had to dictate and control what we read, what we watch and what we listen to.

However, now I am of the belief that, at this modern age and time, people, especially those who claimed to be experts in Islam and those who claimed to be wise politicians, are more ignorant of the realities and current circumstances. To simplify the matter, I am more inclined to believe that the cause for such a regulation by the Adaalath party is because they strongly believe that the Maldivians should practice the Islam that they are propagating. May be that these few people believe that they are the defenders and protectors of Islam while all the others are obliged, under a regulation, to be submissive to their version of Islam.

Religious unity cannot be achieved through the enforcement of a law or a regulation. It is a faith and it is within oneself. It is a way of life and is practiced in your daily life like respecting people and their opinion. Faith or a belief cannot be forced onto someone. And it is about time that we let the politicians know it is so.