Law to be amended to establish a Fiqh academy

The President’s Office’s Spokesperson Miuvaan Mohamed, on Thursday, revealed that efforts were underway to amend laws to establish a Fiqh academy to replace the existing Supreme Council for Fatwa in the Maldives.

Miuvaan who was appointed to the post at the end of August held his first press conference on Thursday afternoon. Responding to a question posed by a journalist during the press conference, Miuvaan said that efforts were underway to amend the Religious Unity Act of the Maldives to established a Fiqh academy. He detailed that the government’s goal is to submit the bill proposing the necessary changes to law in the course of the current session of the parliament.

“Following the establishment of Fiqh academy, the body will undertake the responsibilities being carried out by Fatwa Council,” he added.

Many had requested an opinion from the Fatwa Council regarding yoga, following the mob attack on International Day of Yoga celebrations held at National Stadium on June 21. However, at that time, Fatwa Council remain vacant, as no new appointments were made at the expiration of the term of then-sitting members.

The Supreme Council for Fatwa in the Maldives was established to replace the Fiqh Academy run under Islamic Ministry in 2016, during former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayyom’s administration by the second amendment to the Religious Unity Act. However, the body failed to adequately function.