Chairperson of MDN resigns amid controversy

Chairperson of Maldivian Democracy Network (MDN) Aishath Noosheen Waheed has resigned from her position on the organization.

A representative from MDN confirmed to AVAS that Noosheen sent in her resignation on Sunday.

Noosheen, who previously worked as an intelligence analyst at Maldives Police Service is currently employed as a consultant at the President's Office. Noosheen's resignation from MDN comes amid heavy criticism targeted at the organization over a report published by the non-partisan organization on radicalization in Maldives.

The report titled "Preliminary Assessment of Radicalization in Maldives" assessed how 'radical' Islam was practiced in the Maldives, describing Islam and Prophet Mohamed (PBUH) in derogatory terms, and in contradiction with the principles of Islam.

The contentious report issued in 2016 challenged principles and teachings of Islam in the Holy Quran, and disrespected Prophet Mohamed (PBUH).The report outlined several verses from the Quran and 'hadith' -a record of the traditions, actions or sayings- of Prophet Mohamed (PBUH) as examples of ideas included in school text books that contribute to promulgation of radical worldviews.

The contents of the report have prompted harsh criticism from the public and religious scholars, with scores expressing their outrage and concern on the report. MDN has since apologized for the contents of the report, and retracted it from their website. While the organisation has stated that they are working with Islamic scholars to revise the report, some members of the organization have defended the report on social media platforms.

While a large number of people are calling on authorities to arrest the authors of the report and ban MDN, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has assured that the matter will be thoroughly investigated and appropriate measures will be taken as stipulated under the Maldives constitution.