Maldives’ first Islamic Minister Dr. Abdul Majeed Abdul Baaree has stated that nationalism and related occasions and celebrations were not part of Islam.
Dr. Baaree stated that there were two days mandated in Islam as Eid Days. Referring to the Friday sermon issued by Ministry of Islamic Affair on the occasion of Independence Day, Dr. Baaree stated that claiming that Allah designated national celebrations was an innovation and a lie fabricated in the name of Islam. He also said that even though scholars were divided on the subject matter, there was no tenet in Islam which had called for such celebrations.
Dr. Baaree had called for unity and appealed all to attend Friday prayers in congregation, citing that even if the sermon had stated that, it did not affect the prayer. He appealed to the public not to form separate congregations to observe the prayers.
Scholars state that if nationalism was permitted in Islam, it would have been enacted in the time of the Islamic Caliphate and the day Mecca came under Muslim control. National occasions have no reliance on religious aspects.
For Maldivians one of the most historically significant days was the day Maldives embraced Islam. However, scholars agree that this is not an event that has any religious significance.
Nationalism not part of Islam: Dr. Abdul Majeed
