It’s not so much an Arab “Spring” as a Sharia Slinky, and down it goes, step by step. An update on this story. “Trouble in paradise: Maldives and Islamic extremism,” by Amal Jayasinghe for Agence France-Presse, February 12: MALE “” At the Maldives’ National Museum, smashed Buddhist statues are testament to the rise of Islamic […]
Islamic coup in Maldives: members of new president’s cabinet have demanded Sharia law
An alternate headline, with reference to the country’s capital: “Muslim males mull making Male more Muslim.” “New Maldives leader names conservatives to Cabinet,” from the Associated Press, February 12: MALE, Maldives (AP) “” The Maldives’ new president expanded his Cabinet on Sunday to include religious conservatives who have been demanding the introduction of strict Islamic […]
Maldives: Fears of resurgence of female genital mutilation
The common factor in the persistence of female genital mutilation outside of Africa is the Shafi’i school of Islamic jurisprudence, which holds the practice to be obligatory. The Maldives has been on a fast track here of late toward intensified observance of Sharia, and the government has already ruled with respect to Sharia’s criminal punishments […]
Maldives: Government expresses concern about the rise in “extremist rhetoric”
There is nothing “moderate” about the Maldives, where religions other than Sunni Islam are forbidden. The government appeared willing to consider a variety of measures toward further Islamization of the nation when protesters demanded concessions ranging from a complete ban on alcohol and pork to a ban on direct flights to Israel. That appears only […]
Maldives considering complete ban of pork and alcohol under Sharia, following protesters’ demands
The practice of any faith other than Sunni Islam is already illegal there, which only supports the drive to legislate accordingly. Indeed, the gradual implementation of stricter and stricter Sharia reaches a tipping point as one rule leads to another: if we are enforcing this rule, why not that? And that, and that? Hence the […]
Maldives: Thousands demonstrate against “un-Islamic” activities like allowing direct flights to Israel
But “Islamic Shariah is equal to peace,” they insist, despite the fact that wherever Sharia experiences a resurgence, harassment increases and tolerance decreases. Extrajudicial punishments, vandalism, attempts to silence criticism, and calls for Sharia’s most brutal penalties tend to follow. This situation is also unfolding in the already decidedly non-“moderate” Maldives. More on this story. […]
President of non-moderate Maldives pushes back against even less moderate Maldivian Muslims
As this report notes, “the country of 300,000 people forbids practice of religions other than Sunni Islam,” and our archives chronicle numerous other abuses. While the president lodges his protest here against stonings and amputations, the country’s foreign minister has said that Sharia’s punishments such as flogging for adultery are basic Islamic principles not up […]
Maldives: Silent protest for religious tolerance attacked with stones, bricks, participants threatened with death
This was another protest in need of a “Thank You for Proving Our Point” sign. Indeed, just last weekend, a rally against “extremism” in Tunisia was attacked by “Islamist” stone throwers. “Protesters calling for religious tolerance attacked with stones, threatened with death,” by JJ Robinson for Minivan News, December 10 (thanks to The Religion of […]
Maldives: UN Human Rights Commisioner’s criticism of flogging under Sharia results in Facebook group to see her “slain and driven out of the country”
More fallout and general conspiracy paranoia in connection with this story. “Islamic Minister, MPs, PPM and religious groups condemn UN Human Rights Commissioner,” by Ahmad Naish for Minivan News, November 27 (thanks to Ron): Statements by visiting UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay calling for a moratorium on flogging as a punishment for […]
Maldives: No debate on Sharia punishments, because “there is nothing to debate about in a matter clearly stated in the religion of Islam”
Protesters called for the arrest of the UN human rights chief for criticizing and calling for debate on flogging for extra-marital sex, as is called for in Qur’an 24:2: “The woman and the man guilty of adultery or fornication,- flog each of them with a hundred stripes: Let not compassion move you in their case, […]