FREEDOM OF RELIGION, PLEASE!
Written by Ahmed Maajid In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Dispenser of Grace! Article 9 of the proposed (as of June 2008) Constitution of the Republic of Maldives states that only an adherent of Islam can be, become, or remain a citizen of the country. The said Article categorically denies any possibility of a non-Muslim being a citizen of the Maldives. According to this constitutional provision a Maldivian citizen cannot believe in, follow, profess, or preach another religion within the confines of the Maldivian polity and its jurisdiction. If he/she does so, he is no more a Maldivian citizen, and he/she is subject to whatever consequences that the lawmakers will (or might never) decide on in the future! There is no need to explain how this Article of the Maldivian Constitution constitutes a blatant and straightforward denial of the freedom of religion. It is only too clear! While some people have voiced out their criticism of this constitutional statement of a "No Musli