President ratifies bill to establish a religious fatwa council

President Abdulla Yameen on Sunday ratified the amendment to Religious Unity Act, which will allow the government to establish a religious fatwa council.

President’s office said in a statement that the amendment would address challenges concerning religious unity among Maldivians at a national level and will seek to provide a legal basis, and opportunity, to study Islamic fiqh and facilitate timely and constructive religious counsel.

The bill was proposed to parliament on behalf of government by Isdhoo MP Ahmed Rasheed Ibrahim.

The amendment says that the council would consist of five members, and that the authority to appoint a president and vice president to the council would be given to the head of state.

The council would consist of a member chosen by Islamic Ministry, a member chosen by Chief Justice, two members chosen by President and one academic from National University or Islamic University – chosen by President and approved by People’s Majlis.

The bill says that symposiums of religious scholars would be held to discuss and settle religious disputes which could affect society.

Rules regarding administration of the council, requesting council for counsel, and standards that published religious fatwas need to uphold need to be established within 6 months after the amendment takes effect.

The amendment has been published in Government Gazette.