Adhaalath Party which claims they do things the Islamic way, have taken the Elections Commission to the Supreme Court for accepting Maumoon’s candidacy to stand in the upcoming presidential elections. Adhaalath claims that Maumoon is not a Muslim of a Sunni sect of Islam, when the constitution requires that one should belong to a Sunni sect.
Adhaalath is the institutional strength behind the Jumhooree Gulhun or Republican Coalition, whose presidential candidate is Villa Foundation Chairman Gasim Ibrahim. They have a considerable support base in the political landscape, by being the self-appointed guardians of Islam in the Maldives. Adhaalath type of Islam is fearful because they seemingly claim to have the authority to decide who is a Muslim and who is not. And the other is this prejudice that Sunni Muslims are more Muslim than others.
So what I see is a new type of Islam in the evolution phase. All my life, I had believed Islam to be one religion and a simple way of life which is dignified and caring, not one of greed and a hate-bashing institution of sheer lunacy. I still believe that Islam is a religion of peace and tolerance; not the type that is manifesting amongst us right now.
Jumhooree Party has not distanced itself from the court-case to prove that Maumoon is not a “proper” Muslim, thought they were quick to announce their shock and awe at the President of the Youth League of the party who lodged a complaint against Anni in the Supreme Court. Jumhooree spokesperson was highly apologetic whenever he mentioned the incident, and said that the party was going to expell the Youth League President from the party if he did not fall in line. He also seemed to be of the opinion that it should be the people and not the Supreme Court
Bench who decides a president.
Come to think of it, I think the fact that Anni could say “let the people decide” shows his trust and confidence in the people of this country to make the right decision. Clearly Adhaalath fears the people will make the wrong decision. They have no confidence in the wisdom of the people – people are ignorant and only the scholars know!
This action of Adhaalath which is clearly a unilateral action by Adhaalath and without the backing of their coalition partner, definitely shows the Adhaalath way of doing things. They cannot trust the majority to decide. What I cannot understand is that this so called democracy is not an Islamic institution and why are a religous party entagled in it.
Islam is becoming confusing (atleast when forced to believe that Adhaalath is its guardian); and so is democracy. I atleast thought I knew Islam.
You may also like to read the story as reported in Minivan and Miadhu
Smile and Let Smile 
Anonymous
October 1, 2008 at 1:23 pm
thos who preach one thing and practise the other thing will be worse in hell. they are not believers. we dont want to prove it in court. Allah knows best.
Anonymous
October 1, 2008 at 4:41 am
The only religion in front of Allah is Islam. You simply cannot discredit what it teaches as the sources are from Allah Himself. Those who try it will fail. Hell will be their abode in the hereafter. May Allah protect the Maldivians from hellfire.
Anonymous
October 1, 2008 at 4:38 am
There is a painful torment for people who make a mockery of religion.
Anonymous
October 1, 2008 at 4:38 am
I think these people are agents of Maumoon. So, the people of Maldives beware of these elements which are trying to instill doubts into the minds of people regarding Islam.
Anonymous
October 1, 2008 at 4:34 am
Nobody should read these blogs which are against the religion of Islam. What is this nonsense about Wahhabee. Whom are you trying to make astray. What Adhaalath and Islamic scholars are saying has absolutely nothing to do with ibn Abdul Wahhaab. What they are saying is what was revealed to Prophet Muhammad from the most authentic sources. These sources are the Glorious Qur’an and the Sunnah of the prophet. So nothing was revealed to ibn Abdul Wahhab and he is a person who was born centuries after prophet Muhammad. You people are no doubt the enemies of Islam, Allah and the holy prophet. May Allah give you guidance. Fear Allah. Remember you will die and you will be questioned as to how you lived your lives. So, while there is time do some service to the religion instead of denying what it teaches.
Adhaalathu oriyaan kuraa site
September 30, 2008 at 11:35 pm
Adhaalath is a tiny component in a big power play between elites.As the rivalry between these elites intensifies so does the rivalry between Adhaalath and Maumoonu.To understand the mindset of Adhaalath leaders one should study the origins of Wahhabee movement the inspirational force for Adhaalath.The Wahhabee movement,like Adhaalath,was used as a mere component in the ideological battle between Britain and the last Islamic stateRead it here:http://adhaalath.blogspot.com
Anonymous
September 29, 2008 at 3:49 pm
The last comment sounds sensible but can we have an Islamic democracy.
Anonymous
September 29, 2008 at 2:54 pm
Democracy is not compatible with Islam, especially a liberal democracy. We can have maybe an Islamic Democracy, where religion has to be made a subject not available to the public domain, but within the domain of a council of Islamic scholars appointed for life by the Parliament. The only way to be expelled should be an impeachment by Parliament. Then, there would not be this issue of a political party (which conflicts with Islam in itself) trying to use religion as a tool for their political gains.
Anonymous
September 29, 2008 at 7:59 am
Mr. Shihab I thought you were a very wise and educated person who can judge between what is right and what is wrong. Some of the things you have been writing recently proves how ignorant you are. I wonder what are the things which is dear to you. What are you values. First of all we are Muslims. We are answerable to Allah on the day of Resurrection for our actions. It is the duty of Islamic Scholars to defend religion when it is attacked. But you are attacking the very people who are doing this job. Not only that you are making fun of Islam by allowing some ignorant people make silly comments regarding religion. I hope Allah forgives you and guides you to the right path. By the way I know you very well.
Anonymous
September 29, 2008 at 2:55 am
adhaalath is the only party who stood up to defend the constitution.
Anonymous
September 28, 2008 at 8:26 pm
I think it would be wise for people who are not well versed in religion to stay out of these discussions. I suggest the author of this article to write things based on facts especially when it is about the religion of Islam.
Anonymous
September 28, 2008 at 12:22 pm
It’s good that adhaalath files a case against the great dictator maumoon, it’s a historic thing under this brutal regime.Maumoon and Anni is not a choice for the country.should anyone has a case please do file it.Regardsholy ghost
Anonymous
September 28, 2008 at 2:36 am
Lets celebrate!! we have democracy with a bunch of talibans too for good measure!! Enjoy!!
Anonymous
September 28, 2008 at 12:33 am
Dint Adhaalath people critisize this government for not chopping off peoples’ hands and heads for their crimes? Why did they not join hands with the IDP leader Umar Naseer when he is promising to do just that?? Instead why did they Join with Gasim the Millioner?? Answer is simple they have no principle. All they are after is money and power just like any other group of political thugs? If Maumoon is ever right, he was right when he accused them of compromising their religion.
Anonymous
September 27, 2008 at 11:09 am
Who is a good muslim. Can we discriminate between muslims who are good and not so good. What is the procedure for establishing that one does not belong to Islam and is not a muslim anymore?
Addu
September 27, 2008 at 4:02 am
It was not just sunn-shit that triggered the debate.Rather other issues related to Creed.Read below :http://www.adduonline.com/articles/qada.htm
Adhaalath
September 27, 2008 at 3:59 am
This behaviour of calling people kaafir comes from the adherents of 200 year old movement which has caused great harm to the Muslims.Is Qasim a member of Sunnah Jamah?
Anonymous
September 26, 2008 at 7:05 pm
the new constitution has a lot of flaws in it. the fact that it claims in very subtle terms that one has to be a sunnee muslim to be considered muslim, is a conflict in itself. if one can be a maldivian by merely being a muslim, to disqualify from public office for one’s sect is a violation of the basic rights under a democracy.
Anonymous
September 26, 2008 at 6:35 pm
one has to ask what does so called “sunnee muslim” is all about before we make a court case against anyone.The history tells us that this terminology was a newly created one during the well known conflict of Ali and Muawia as an identification of those who are with Ali and those who are with Muawia. as such, those companions who were neutral regarded as people under the umbrella of ahlu sunna wal jamah. later on this terminology was used as a political tool to differentiate between shia muslims and sunne muslims.to agree with those pple who say that it is not a political terminology but a religious one,even though, you cannot throw any one out of the circle of ahlu sunna wal jamah as long as he or she belives in the fundametals of Islam.In the case of Maumoon he was simply differing from others on a matter of interpretation of an Ayah regarding burqa. how many of sunnee scholars are out there who are differing from each other on various matters. even the four Imaams of ahlu sunnah wal jamah were not on agreement of many religious issues.but none of them has ever tried to put the opponent in the witness box to disqualify him from being a sunnee muslim.so i can say, beyond any doubt, that adalath is not acting out of their religiousity rather they are, outrageously, trying to take revenge from maumoon for a political gain.
Anonymous
September 26, 2008 at 5:06 pm
Islam does not go hand in hand with democracy. If true democracy is to prevail in this country, the constitution needs to be amended and the state has to be made secular. But that is not the case here. I dont see a wrong in Adhaalath taking EC to court as it is clearly stated in the constitution that presidential candidate has to be a muslim of sunni sect. Hence Adhalat, self-appointed guardians or not, taking the initiative to clarify whether Maumoon actually fulfills the presidential criteria, should be should be given credit than criticized. Its not just Adhalat but every law abiding citizen’s right to question if the law is being broken by someone, be it current president or not. I dont see the point in Adalat asking JP for permission to go to court as they are a political party of their own even if they are in JP coalition.You are right on bashing the “islam” thats been manifested among us. Maumoon is to be blamed on that. For 30 years there’s been only one scholar and now that other scholars have emerged telling people of whats not been told for the past 30 years, its a bit difficult for people to digest and it is clear you are facing that problem too. I don’t like JP and I strongly oppose on Adalat joining JP. I wish adalat would be a seperate entity from politics. I believe adalat is practicing a right by taking EC to court. And as it is trend now to believe anyone who goes in line with adalat is a wahhabi/fundamentalist and someone who doesn’t have a mind of his own. Well i dont have a beard and i dont keep my trousers short. But I agree with adalath in claiming maumoons not of sunni sect.
Anonymous
September 26, 2008 at 4:53 pm
Adhaalath party got all perverts. What they only care about is having 4 wives & women to wear the head scarf. Thats all. Nothing else matters. And yes, they think they are the only Mulisms in the Maldives. Note: Sheikh Hussain Rasheed is a child molester & had been kicked out from some homes in the past when he went to teach Quran in the past. The little girls told their moms what he did.