Over a dozen scholars pledge support for President Solih

Over a dozen religious scholars have shown their support for MDP’s presidential candidate, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

Speaking at a press conference held today by a group of religious scholars, Sheikh Ilyas Hussain said that the decision to support President Solih in the upcoming election was made based on things they, as scholars, have experienced in the past and that the decision was made in accordance with academic rules and principles.

“President Solih has the patience that a leader should possess. He has not made rash decisions in anger like the previous leaders,” Sheikh Ilyas said.

He said that instead of imprisoning people with differing ideologies, this administration has worked together with them. As proof of this, he noted that President Solih has kept his coalition with other political parties intact till now and that that is something he has never witnessed before in the political landscape of Maldives.

Speaking at this press conference, Islamic Minister, Dr Ahmed Zahir Ali said that this administration has held more programs for various religious fields than the past administrations. He said that an estimated 10696 programs were held in the past five years.

“Bills regarding Zakat and Hajj have been prepared with President Solih’s advice. The bills have now been sent to the AG for his advice. I hope, God willing, that these bills be passed without any delay,” Dr Zahir said.

He further said that President Solih solved the religious issues that came with the COVID-19 pandemic by asking for and following religious scholars’ advice.

“I would like to note, with this opportunity, that President Solih gave scholars freedom and made sure it was easier for us to work in the state,” he said.

The religious scholars who attended the press conference meeting called on the people to vote for President Solih to maintain the security and peace of the country as it is today.

While many scholars attended this press conference and showed their support for President Solih, these scholars included those who are part of Adhaalath Party, which is in coalition with MDP, and those who are not signed to any political party.