Shifan: Extremism in Maldives grossly exaggerated by opposition

Police Spokesperson and Head of Strategy and Legal Affairs, Ahmed Shifan says that while extremism existed in the Maldives, the issue was grossly exaggerated by the opposition.

Shifan made the comment in an interview to Sri Lankan newspaper “News In Asia”.

Shifan said the Maldivian government was keeping a close eye on the extremism situation in Maldives, and was ready to pull the problem out at its roots.

He said that extremism in Maldives was under control, and that the opposition was painting a grossly exaggerated picture of the situation to the international media.

Shifan said the Maldivian government was monitoring the Maldivian fighters at the Turkey-Syria border in collaboration with foreign intelligence agencies. He said such individuals were being extracted back to the country and provided counselling to combat extremist mentality.

Shifan said the Maldivian authorities often found punishment an ineffective approach against such individuals, and that the authorities were focusing more on rehabilitation.

The opposition alleges over 250 Maldivian have travelled abroad to join militant groups abroad; a high rate compared to the total population of the country. However, Ministry of Defense maintains that only 49 Maldivians travelled abroad to join militant groups.

Two Maldivian were arrested attempting to cross the Turkey border into Syria to join militant groups just last week. They were deported back to Maldives on October 19, and are currently in jail.

Shifan said that most Maldivians were moderate Muslims, and that it was only a few who had given into extremism.

“Religious extremists are few in number. This is uncommon among Maldivians. There is no group here spreading Wahhabi propaganda,” said Shifan.

Maldivian Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Mohamed Hussain Shareef (Mundhu) added that the Maldives was a peaceful country, evident from the fact that no terrorist attacks have ever taken place in any Maldivian resort.

Spokesperson Shifan said all mosques in Maldives were moderated by the Maldivian government, and that each and every public preaching by mosques were carried out under the government’s direct supervision.