Sheikh Ali Zaid and Dr. Mohamed Iyaz from the Adhaalath Party were heavily criticized on Sunday for tweeting about homosexuality and the Democrats.
“The Democrats in America. Yes. The Biden administration’s biggest goal is to promote the dirty act of homosexuality!,” Zaid tweeted.
“No opportunities will be given to revive any culture or ideals that go against Islam,” Iyaz responded in a quote tweet.
The two scholars’ tweets came on the same day as supporters of parliament speaker and former president Mohamed Nasheed submitted to establish a new party named the Democrats.
Zaid did not clarify why he linked the US Democratic Party and the Democrats in Maldives. Over 46,000 people had seen the tweet by Monday morning.
A lot of people who interacted with the tweet criticized the sheikh for linking the two parties because of similarities in the name.
“There is a more evil motive than the one you mentioned. Insha Allah. The concept of wearing a false religious cap to tarnish the religion’s image while earning money from it will not grow in the country,” one person stated.
Another person said Zaid knows the truth and he deceives people intentionally.
“You know very well that this is not something that happens because of the name, but by action. Is there anything you achieved by calling [your party] Adhaalath?,” he questioned.
Another person called on the sheikh to promote prayers instead of talking about indecent things.
“How quick you are to talk about homosexuality. It would have been better to share beautiful, nice duas. We cannot know a person’s heart even if they wear a religious cap.”
Nasheed’s supporters that recently left the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party want to form the Democrats and field a candidate for the September 9 presidential election.
Some 13 MPs have been confirmed for the party but Nasheed remains the president of MDP and has not commented about the new party.
