The Islamic Challenge: Religion And Politics

Islam and politics cannot be merged, or so some people, including myself believe. Nor is the conviction unfounded. Our experience of mixing the two has after all, left a bitter taste in our mouths.

Looking back over Maldivian history, we know that former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom won power through being a well-respected religious scholar. Educated in Egypt, he was venerated for his academic achievements – a bachelors and masters in Sharia Law.

Early on in his career, many Maldivians deemed Gayoom to be a pious man. As a child, I remember my parents saying he was truly devout; any of his prayers, they told me, would be granted immediately by Allah.

But this perception changed as Maldivians became more politically aware. Some began to accuse Gayoom of using religion as an instrument to secure his power. Under the previous constitution, he had appointed himself as the highest authority of Islam in the Maldives, so there was no room for debate on religious matters.

During his regime, he would often lead Friday prayers, which would be broadcast live from state TV, at Masjid-ul Sultan Mohammed Thakurufaanu-al Auzam, the largest mosque in the Maldives. Gayoom was the only person permitted to deliver impromptu sermons while all other scholars had to submit theirs for scrutiny and approval by the former Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs, now the Ministry of Islamic Affairs.

Under his editorial leadership, the religious newspaper Dheenuge Magu or Road to Religion, was published from the president’s office and distributed to every mosque in Male’ after Friday prayers. Every essay contained in the paper was without fail written by a scholar favoured by Gayoom.

When the new democratic government was inaugurated in November, I heaved a sigh of relief. Surely now the Friday propaganda churned out for 30 years under Gayoom’s administration would be over? But the situation remains the same.

This time, instead of Gayoom, the mandate to control religious matters has been given to the conservative Adaalath party who are now in charge of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs. The appointment for the Minister of Islamic Affairs has gone to the Adaalath Scholar’s council president Dr Abdul Majeed Abdul Bari, while the state minister is none other than Adaalath spokesperson Sheikh Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed. Even the senior posts of the ministry are dominated by Adaalath members.

Once again, Islam is being controlled by one group, while other prominent scholars are blatantly ignored.

Every single Friday prayer, since the inauguration of the new government, has been led by a religious figure from Adaalath. Only scholars associated with the Adaalath party are allowed to give previously unseen sermons; all other Imams are asked to read sermons pre-approved by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs.

There may have been a change in government, but so far, this has not extended into the sphere of religion.

On 21 November, a weekly paper, Hidhaayathuge Magu or Road to Steadfastness, was published for distribution following Friday prayers by the Ministry of Affairs. Speaking to Miadhu Daily on 16 November, Dr Majeed pledged not to use the paper as a machine to spread political propaganda. It would, he assured, only consist of religious articles.

But apart from one scholar, every writer so far has been an Adaalath party member. Is this not equivalent to propaganda? If it is a party newspaper, then it should be advertised as such so that those reading are able to distinguish between party views and other non-partisan religious scholarship.

If Dr Mauroof Hussain, the former vice president of Adaalath, is allowed to write for Hidhaayathuge Magu, then surely Dr Ahmed Razi, who has far more expertise and a longer beard, would be more qualified?

If Adaalath are to dominate religion, we need to question whether there will be any opportunities for other scholars to voice their opinions. There are many scholars who do not belong to any political parties such as Sheikh Aboobakuru Ali and Sheikh Ibrahim Fareed Ahmed. Do they have to sign up to Adaalath, if they want to be heard?

For those who experienced Gayoom’s religious domination, this is a case of history repeating itself. I personally do not want to see Adaalath making the same mistakes as Gayoom. Isn’t it time for change?