Malé, Maldives – The Civil Court has ruled that the decision to dissolve the Maldivian Democracy Network (MDN) was right.
The government suspended the MDN in 2019 after it issued a report insulting Islam and the Holy Prophet.
The case to review the decision was filed with the Civil Court by Founder of Maldivian Democracy Network (MDN) Shahindha Ismail.
The Civil Court today ruled that the MDN was dissolved under the powers of the Registrar of Associations after completing the procedures stipulated in the Associations Act.
The judgment also said that associations are prohibited from doing things that are against Islam and undermine religious unity.
The court said the association was trying to insult Islam, destroy religious unity and spread the slogan of another religion.
The MDN report described jihad as wrong. In addition, it has been tried to tell us that respecting the Prophet is extremism.
Titled “Preliminary Assessment on Radicalisation in the Maldives”, the report issued in 2016 challenged principles and teachings of Islam in the Holy Quran, and disrespected Prophet Mohamed (PBUH).
The report also outlined several verses from the Quran and ‘Hadith’ of Prophet Mohamed (PBUH) as examples of ideas that contribute to promulgation of radical worldviews.
The court said it could not determine that the registration of the MDN was canceled in violation of the Constitution.
The judgment said the decision to dissolve the MDN was not considered illegal.
The MDN was dissolved after a series of protests against the organisation.
