Islamic Minister Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed has faced backlash over his remarks regarding religious scholar Dr. Mohamed Iyaz and his wife Aishath Shadhiya at a press conference on Wednesday.

Iyaz had earlier alleged that a Cabinet Minister told him to divorce his wife who was arrested for staging anti-Israel protests.

The issue surfaced when Shadhiya and Dr. Shazra Ibrahim, who was also arrested for anti-Israel protests, told Adhadhu that "Minister level" officials were contacting their husbands to push for divorce.

"A government minister had sent me a message. A Cabinet Minister of the current government had messaged me, telling me to divorce Shadhiya. He will know why he messaged me. I did not get married because he told me to," Iyaz said in a phone interview with Adhadhu.

But he did not name the minister.

During Wednesday's press conference at the President's Office, a reporter questioned about the allegations and Shaheem responded in a derogatory manner towards Iyaz and his wife.

"I did not tell Iyaz. I did not call Iyaz and tell him to divorce his wife. But if I am Iyaz's friend and his wife does not listen to him and is disobedient, then I might tell him through someone else to not stay with a person who disobeys him," Shaheem said.

Soon after the press conference, Shaheem faced backlash on social media with many people describing his remarks as derogatory and disrespectful for using the podium at the President's Office.

"There are things that should be said and should not be said on a podium with the national emblem. There are ethical standards that ministers should adhere to. It is disgusting that a minister publicly insulted a woman at the President's Office," one social media user said.

Meanwhile, Iyaz posted on X in response to Shaheem and described his wife as "faithful and obedient."

He also sent a letter to President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu on Thursday and accused Shaheem of publicly talking about matters related to the private lives of a couple.

"I believe that such an act is inappropriate as a minister and contrary to Islamic ethics and customs of Maldivian society," the letter stated.

Iyaz also accused Shaheem of using state resources to improve his public image through the media and noted that it is a criminal offence to abuse the influence of authority for personal benefit.