Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed on Tuesday said there has been a distinct increase in efforts by the Maldives Police Service during this term to maintain the safety and security across the whole country.
The Minister of Islamic Affairs made these remarks at the signing ceremony of a memorandum of understanding between the Maldives Police Service and the Ministry of Islamic Affairs.
Speaking during the ceremony, Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed said police are doing more than ever to maintain security and religious unity in the society.
The minister assured the Police that the Ministry of Islamic Affairs would provide all possible assistance in this endeavour.
Minister Shaheem said that similar to most countries in the world, Maldives also has a few who believe and follow "extremist” religious ideology, noting the extensive efforts, past and present in collaboration with the police to raise religious awareness and ensure religious unity.
"The ministry is working hard to establish the right ideologies. We have tried to address differences through communication and dialogue. In Maldives, there had been separate congregations by some groups. The two institutions worked together to put a stop to this,” the Minister said.
Speaking at the ceremony, Commissioner of Police Ali Shujau said that several awareness programs have been conducted in line with the mandate of maintaining security in the society. The CP also thanked the Ministry for its assistance to such programs, noting that each of these programs includes a religious component.
Shujau revealed the decision to conduct a special program with the Ministry of Islamic Affairs to increase religious awareness among the police ranks.
"We are now waiting for the day when the religious program for the police will begin. This program will enhance and facilitate the service of the police due to increased religious awareness. It will also facilitate the efforts to maintain peace and order in the society,” the CP said.
The agreement between the Police and the Ministry of Islamic Affairs was signed by Minister Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed on behalf of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs. Commissioner of Police Ali Shujau signed on behalf of the Maldives Police Service.
Under the MoU, cooperation between the two institutions will be exchanged in wide ranging areas.