Islamic Ministry warns against falling for political activities held under the ruse of defending Islam

Islamic Ministry has appealed to the public not to fall victim to insincere activities held for political benefit under the ruse of defending Islam and Prophet Mohamed.

Islamic Ministry made the appeal in a statement in response to the mob attack on the International Day of Yoga event held at the national football stadium on Tuesday morning.

The event, organized by the Indian Cultural Center and the Sports Ministry, was attended by dozens of participants, including foreign ambassadors and diplomats.

A mob of angry protestors had stormed the stadium, and threatened and assaulted some of the participants, and destroyed property.

Six suspects were arrested in connection to the incident.

Islamic Ministry said that certain individuals were manipulating the love Maldivians had for the religion of Islam to serve a political purpose and inciting hate and anger within the community.

Islamic Ministry described the mob attack on the yoga event as an “uncivilized and lowly act”.

Acts that call for violence and create fear goes against the very principles of Islam, said the ministry.

Islamic Ministry urged Islamic scholars and relevant institutions to be more attentive to such matters, and prioritize the interests of the community.

The mob attack on the yoga event is under investigation by the Serious and Organized Department.

Police said in an earlier statement the case was being investigated as a serious matter, and that preliminary investigative findings established that some of the items used by the mob had come from the office of Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM).

PPM’s Secretary-General Mohamed Tholal told Sun said the flags used by rioters were similar to the ones used by PPM in a recent rally, but that it yet remained unclear whether they were the same flags.

“It’s possible those were our flags. I am unable to say for sure yet whether those were our flags,” he said.

Tholal said the mob attack had not been organized by PPM and that the party did not condone violence.

In a press conference held in response to the incident, People’s National Congress (PNC)’s leader Abdul Raheem Abdulla (Adhurey) said the mob attack could be claimed to have been staged by the government to cast blame on PNC’s coalition partner PPM. He also accused the police of involvement in the incident.

Meanwhile, Elections Commission has issued a statement warning any political party found to have been involved in the mob attack would be penalized.