Maldives' top religious scholars Sunday echoed calls to stronger steps to curb political extremissm in the archipelago.
At the first conference of religious scholars this year, the scholars noted that the influence of political extremism was strong in decaying Maldivian culture and religion. The scholars called for all members of the community to stand against this burgeoning threat and to take measures to stop its spread.
The conference also concluded that the growing animosity over differences in political views would also be viewed as political extremism, as it goes against the teachings of Prophet Muhammad.
The scholars also agreed unanimously that growing beards, and wearing trousers can not be seen as signs of religious extremism as these were among behaviours encouraged in Islam. The scholars also called for workshops to be launched after finding out the reason for the spread of atheism, and to stop the spread of such ideas through various medias.
They also criticized the harsh and wrongful Jihad being carried out, and called for the youth to be taught the true meaning of Jihad and taught religious education to combat religious extremism. The scholars were critical of the irreligious material in the Maldivian curriculum as well, calling for the immediate expulsion and replacement of such material with more Islam friendly material.
