The government has called for lecturers at Maldives National University (MNU) to refrain from expressing their views on social media regarding the contents of the controversial report on radicalization in Maldives issued by non-partisan organization "Maldivian Democracy Network" (MDN).
The government has instructed MNU to take action against lecturers who do so, revealed Chancellor of MNU, Dr Hassan Hameed in a notice sent to lecturers on Tuesday.
The announcement said while the whole country is embroiled in a debate over the MDN report, the government has observed that some lecturers of MNU have been expressing their views on social media in such a way that could incite unrest and disunity in the country. Similar complaints have been received from the public, it read.
The government has requested MNU to take measures against any employees who speak on the issue and encourage conflict through social media and any other means.
"While the lecturers of this institution play a vital role in shaping the future of our youth, if such actions are repeated by our lecturers, it would be detrimental to the society. We advise all employees of the university to follow the employee's code of conduct and act accordingly", the notice read.
The announcement was made following a press conference held by religious scholars of Maldives on Monday night regarding the contentious report. Several MNU lecturers participated in the conference.
They called on authorities to take swift action against MDN and ban the organization due to the contents of the report.
Titled '‘Preliminary Assessment on Radicalisation in the Maldives", the 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' of Prophet Mohamed (PBUH) as examples of ideas that contribute to promulgation of radical worldviews.
