Unauthorised imam who forms separate congregation arrested

The unauthorized imam who leads Friday prayer by forming a separate congregation at Dharumavantha Mosque has been arrested.

Police said that they have arrested a 34-year-old Maldivian male who pretended to be an imam, under an arrest warrant issued by the court.

Police said on their website that the imam was arrested for violating the laws and regulations on religious solidarity, failing to obtain the authorisation for imams from the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, pretending to be an imam and leading Friday prayers by forming a separate congregation at Dharumavantha Mosque, and encouraging religious strife in the society.

Police said that the imam was summoned to the police station and advised repeatedly to stop this practice; however, he continued giving religious lectures at Dharumavantha Mosque and encouraged religious division among the people.

The Criminal Court has granted five days of detention for the imam.

Dharumavantha Mosque is not among those mosques permitted for Friday prayers in Male’. Imams who lead prayers and deliver sermons at the mosque are neither authorised nor permitted by Islamic ministry.

Police said that this case is being investigated by the Serious and Organised Crime Department of Maldives Police Service.