Malé, Maldives – Home Minister Imran Abdullah on Thursday, spoke out in defense of Dr. Iyaz via tweet saying that Dr. Mohamed Iyaz’s dismissal as a lecturer of Maldives National University was unjust.
Giving information to local medias, Vice Chancellor of MNU, Dr. Mohamed Shareef said that Dr. Iyaz was dismissed from his job due to his repeated unacceptable behavior, which did not reform despite warnings.
Minister Imran tweeted weighing in on the topic, stating that Dr. Iyaz is a scholar who has done a lot to strengthen the Islamic face of the nation and that although there are controversies surrounding some of his opinions, the strict measures taken by the National University were unjust.
In addition to this, Minister Imran said that they must be able to resolve religious conflicts by debating with decency in such an educational institution. He added that the strict measures taken by the university and dismissing Dr. Iyaz is not at all acceptable.
Dr. Iyaz was terminated from his job at MNU following a tweet encouraging female genital mutilation. An investigation was carried out by MNU into the matter.
A case was also submitted to the Parliament’s Human Rights and Gender Committee against Dr. Mohamed Iyaz for encouraging Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
The case was submitted by Parliament Member for Galolhu Dhekunu Constituency, Meekail Ahmed Naseem to the Parliament’s Human Rights and Gender Committee, regarding a tweet by Dr. Mohamed Iyaz featuring an article on “Medical benefits of female circumcision” and encouraging Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
Dr. Iyaz has previously also advocated for FGM.
MP Meekail stated that Dr. Mohamed Iyaz being an Assistant Professor of MNU and encouraging harmful practices for women is a danger for the women of Maldives, and it is an obstruction to the safety of women’s rights.
Female genital mutilation (FGM) comprises all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. This practice has no health benefits for girls and women. It is recognized internationally as a violation of the human rights of girls and women and the World Health Organization (WHO) is strongly urges health care providers to not perform FGM.
