Salaf rejects proposal by President

Salaf Jamiyya has said today that The President’s Office wishes to discuss the issues relating to Islamic penalties as highlighted by UN Human Rights Commissioner Navanethem Pillay, and that they do not wish to participate in such talks.

In a letter addressed to President Nasheed, Salaf Jamiyya said that President Nasheed did not condemn Pillay’s speech given at the Parliament, and his invitation to hold discussions with Salaf indicates that he agrees with Pillay’s statements and wishes to hold a debate on them. Salaf advises that these proceedings be stopped immediately, and states that changing an Islamic penalty would be in conflict with the Law.

President of Salaf, Sheikh Abdulla bin Mohamed Ibrahim said that they received a letter from The President’s Office today. However, the announcement made yesterday saying that a letter was sent yesterday, is false.

Abdulla said that Islamic penalties are sent by God and no human has the right to discuss these issues. He is open and available to discuss other issues.

He further said that The President suddenly wishing to discuss Pillay’s issues with Salaf raises questions, because Salaf has received no response to letters sent to the President’s office in the past. He also wonders why The President did not discuss this issue with Figuhu Academy which was formed specifically for the purpose of holding such discussions, or the Islamic Ministry.

“An appeal was made to The President with regard to protests calling for religious freedom in the country. A meeting was requested when alcohol was about to be legalized. An appeal was made to strengthen religious solidarity. There was no response to any of these requests, and now him wanting to discuss this particular issue at hand, raises questions,” Abdulla said.

The President’s Office said that these discussions are to take place with the presence of Ameen Faisal, National Security Advisor. This meeting, arranged to take place at 2pm today, was not attended by Salaf.

On a publication on the website of The President’s Office to announce that they wish to hold discussions with Salaf, they said, “for the peace and well-being of Maldivian citizens, discussions between Salaf Jamiyya and the government are to begin as soon as possible”, as decided and invited by The President.

Even though it is said that The President’s Office wishes to hold discussions with regard to statements made by Pillay, this is not indicated in the invitations. Nonetheless, the President’s Office said yesterday that Salaf has been invited to discuss religious scholars’ views on Islamic penalties to be determined in the Penal Code.