Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr. Ahmed Ziyad has revealed a small nation such as the Maldives becoming a member of Fatwa Security Council proves the importance attached to maintaining Islamic principles by President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom. Characteristics of an Islamic ruling was fully ensured during the current presidency, Islamic minister Ahmed Ziyad stated while speaking to the media regarding the first ever international fatwa conference held in Maldives.
Noting the establishment of a Fatwa Council for the first time ever in Maldives is an important step taken in maintaining an Islamic rule, Minister Ziyad said such actions and decisions shows the strong Islamic agenda of President Yameen. Highlighting the mandate of Fatwa Council involves ensuring religious unity, raising public awareness on religious issues, conducting forums for religious scholars and publishing a magazine with scholarly writings on contentious issues, the minister revealed familiarisation programmes are in the pipeline to achieve the objectives.
Furthermore, the minister revealed the important work conducted to establish the council, noting the appointed members were provided with the opportunity to attend several international religious conferences. The International Fatwa Conference held in Maldives was a milestone achievement for the council, he added.
The five-member Fatwa Council of Maldives comprising of two members chosen by the president was formed in 2016 with the authority to issue legal opinions on religious disputes.