Islamic Minister Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed has said he does not believe it is overdue to ban Israeli passports even though more than three months have passed since the government announced the decision.

He told a press conference at the President's Office today that it was not appropriate for him to speak about the work of the Parliament.

"I don't believe it is overdue. That is because the Parliament will follow the procedure on matters submitted to them," Shaheem said.

The cabinet decided on June 2, 2024, to make the necessary legal changes for banning the Israeli passport over Israel’s ongoing genocide against the Muslim brothers and sisters of Palestine.

However, on August 22, the parliament went on recess without giving legal authority to the decision.

A total of 313 Israeli tourists visited Maldives by the end of August since the decision was made.

Shaheem told reporters today that he was satisfied with the efforts by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu for the Palestinian cause over the last 10 months.

He noted that Maldives was one of the first countries to intervene in South Africa's ICJ case against the Israeli genocide while defending Palestine at the United Nations (UN).