Progressive Party of Maldives-People's National Congress (PPM-PNC) presidential candidate Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has severely criticized President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's pledge to teach Islam in English.
The pledge to offer the option for students who wish to be taught the Islam subject in English was among the first policies released for the president's re-election manifesto.
Speaking at a campaign rally in Haa Alif Ihavandhoo on Sunday night, Muizzu said the plan was part of efforts to undermine Maldivian nationhood.
"Now we're hearing that they're going to teach the Islam subject and everything in English instead of Dhivehi. The effort to destroy nationhood has begun," said Dr. Muizzu, calling on voters to oust the Solih administration in order to save nationhood.
Islam and the Dhivehi language are tied to nationhood, Muizzu said. The country's future cannot be saved without protecting both, he added.
"Islam is tied to the nation's freedom. Only by protecting Islam and the Dhivehi language can we save the country's future and ensure that its safe and bright," he said.
The PPM is the first party to emphasize and work towards upholding the country's independence and nationhood, Muizzu said at the campaign rally. The only way to save the country was to elect the PPM to office, he added.
"Otherwise if we allow things to happen as we see it now, we will forever lose the opportunity to talk about the country's independence and nationhood in their true sense," Muizzu said in indirect criticism of President Solih.
