President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has said freedom of expression is within limits.

Speaking at the ceremony to hand over certificates to the Huffaz (people who have memorized the entire Quran by heart), Muizzu said, "there are limitations with rights."

"The right to say whatever you want to the other person is not freedom of expression," he stated.

He added that society will be better when people respect each other as compelled on Muslims in the Quran.

Muizzu also expressed displeasure by saying that Maldivians were doing everything that is forbidden in the Quran despite being a 100 percent Muslim country.

"We are defaming each other. We are gossiping. We are backbiting. We are spreading so many lies," he said.

He stated that this behaviour is not acceptable and he does not know how to respond to it.

Muizzu said that lost human dignity cannot be restored unless the Quran is practiced every day.