Crowd continues to congregate for prayer after authorities shut down mosque

Friday prayer has been held at Dharumavantha Mosque today, after it was shut down by authorities in an attempt to prevent religious extremism.

The mosque was shut down after morning prayer last Friday, but a crowd congregated for Friday prayer later that day - and prayed for the downfall of the government.

Male’ City Council has said that it might have to involve the police if its announcement regarding shutting down the mosque continues to go unheeded.

The sermon given at Dharumavantha Mosque today stated that the parliament makes laws that contradict the law of Allah, and those who make these laws, those who obey these laws, and those who allow the implementation of any law but the law of Allah, are not Muslims.

The size of the Friday prayer congregation at Dharumavantha Mosque has grown following rumours of the mosque being shut down, with more people going to listen to the sermon, which is different from the one authorised by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs.