- Members agree to extend cooperation to Government
- Ready to send issue to Committee stage
- Called on Government to be sincere on resolving issue
Many Members of Parliament has debated on resolving the issue of Maldivians going to other nations to take part in civil conflicts, setting aside political differences.
The Parliament today deliberated on terrorism and religious extremism.
In today's session, ruling PPM, opposition MDP and Adhaalath Party all agreed on the severity of the issue and one that needed to be stopped immediately. Many members agreed that proper and in depth investigation must be carried out and all proponents, including those who fund and recruit individuals, of such acts should be halted.
PPM PG Leader Ahmed Nihan, the first to debate on the issue, said that the country does not benefit when a Maldivian goes to take part in civil conflicts. He said this is not supported by any Maldivian. MP Nihan said taking part in civil conflicts had far reaching consequences to the society as a whole.
"We hear that the opposition members calling the country a hotbed for extremist recruitment. They say that Maldives trains jihadists. I call on them to collaborate with the Government in resolving the issue, recognize that this is a national issue," Nihan said.
Responding to Nihan, MDP PG Leader Ibrahim Mohamed Solih (Ibu) said the MDP considered the issue of terrorism and extremism as serious issues and that the issue must be carefully investigated. Ibu said the Party was prepared to work with the Government to resolve the issue, setting aside political and ideological differences.
"We have to talk about this. We have to talk about why Maldivians are going to other countries and blowing themselves up. MMPRC embezzlement was a huge issue. We have to question if the cash from the Corporation was used to fund these Maldivians. Who had sent which individual. We have to address these issues now, if we are to ever resolve this," Ibu said.
Speaking on the issue, Hulhuhenveyru Constituency MP Reeko Moosa Manik said democracy allowed for opposing views. However, he stressed that both the ruling coalition and oppositions have to work for the betterment of the nation. Moosa said that he was glad that both Parties set aside political differences to work on a solution.
Vilufushi Constituency MP Riyaz Rasheed had congratulated the PG leaders of the two Party's for their decision to collaborate.
Adhaalath Party's sole representative in the Parliament, Makunudhoo Constituency MP Makunudhoo MP Anaaraa Naeem said the Maldivians leaving for civil conflicts went on the basis on misinformation of Islam. She also agreed the issue was a serious issue, calling on all to work together.
