Ambassador of Maldives to European Union (EU) Ahmed Shiaan has stated that the current administration would not allow any religion other than Islam in the Maldives, regardless of any extreme measures executed by bodies such as the European Union.
Responding to the report released by EU calling for freedom of religion in the country, Shiaan said, the government of Maldives has clearly stated that Article 9 and Article 73 of the Maldivian constitution cannot be amended as recommended by the EU, as such an amendment would contradict Islamic principles.
The recommendations were made, as Article 9 of the Maldivian constitution stipulates that one be a Muslim to be a citizen and vote and Article 73 of the Maldivian constitution stipulates that one be a Sunni Muslim citizen to stand for election, according to the EU. In this regard, Ambassador Shiaan noted that President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom attaches great importance to uphold true principles of Islam in the country, as part of the government's foreign policy.
Ambassador Shiaan highlighted that the Maldivian government is working with relevant stakeholders, to incorporate the recommendations made by the European Union Elections Observation Mission of 2014, as conveyed to the European Union Electoral Follow-up Mission (EFM) team in January.
While the EU report has received harsh criticism from most of the Maldivians, former President Mohamed Nasheed has welcomed the recommendations of the EU despite the fact that some of the recommends call on Maldives to contradict Islamic principles.