Maldivians embrace the month of Ramadan (fasting) on Monday. Maldivians are Muslims by a constitutional decree. The country should be led by a government whose cabinet members and the Chief Executive (the President) must belong to the Sunni Muslim sect. The constitution does not limit citizenship to Sunni Muslims but limits the highest offices of government to those belonging to the Sunni sect. The proponents of the constitution argue that this is a model liberal democracy for Muslim states. This fasting month is the first time Maldivians will fast under a constitution that is labelled an Islamic Liberal Democracy.

Maldivians will embrace the teachings of Prophet Mohammadh (PBUH) in the mosques and their daily lives during the fasting month. That is what we claim. But the transformation of society and a lack of focused human development means that the nation who should be Sunni Muslims across the board will embrace a month of fasting by the day, feasting by night, and engage in bloody feuds day and night. Most of the “delicacies” of daily life during the month of Ramadan will be quite un-Islamic let alone un-Sunni.

To make matters worse, the eight hundred and sixty fortieth month that Maldivians will be fasting as Muslims, and the first month of fasting under the new constitution will also be a month of mud-slinging and character-assassination by political opponents which is quite contrary to the Teachings of the Almighty delivered to the Human Race through Prophet Mohammadh (PBUH).

Islam is the religion of peace and respect, but that would be non-existent in the Maldives for this holy month.