There will be no place for any violent ideology in the Maldives, Islamic Minister Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed said on Saturday.
Shaheem worked in the Ministry of Islamic Affairs in two previous governments. He was the Deputy Minister of Islamic Affairs in the government of former President Mohamed Nasheed and served as the Islamic Minister in the government of former President Abdulla Yameen
He also served as the Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor of the Islamic University during Yameen's government.
Shaheem was appointed as the Islamic Minister by President Mohamed Muizzu who was sworn in Friday.
In his first interview with the press as minister, Shaheem told Adhadhu that extremism should not be understood from the Western perspective.
"Some people in the West think that all Muslims are extremists. That is not the way we should think about it," Shaheem said.
He described extremism as a completely separate ideology associated with hurting and harming people. The minister said that it is forbidden in Islam to attack people without reason.
"Islam instructs us to respect human dignity irrespective of any particular religion or sect. We will not allow any violent ideology, extremism to take place in the country," he said.
The minister said Maldives will continue to be a country that upholds the Islamic principles of moderation. Maldives is a country that relies heavily on tourism and the people will continue to be a welcoming and just country for everyone in the world, he said.
"We will work very hard for the ideological unity of this country. There will be no room for extremism. There will be no room for blasphemy and insults against Islam," Shaheem said.
"Priority will be given to teaching the right way"
Shaheem said the first policy of the Islamic Ministry is to spread knowledge as extremism and blasphemy are ideological issues.
The minister described talking to those who hold such views and conducting dialogue as the most appropriate way to resolve the issue.
"So we will prioritize that. Advising and talking to such people and meeting them and talking to them [for such things]," he said.
Legal action against those who go to extremist and blasphemous ideologies will be taken when the action is needed, he said.
