Former VP Jameel calls defamation bill a 'Jewish agenda'

Former Vice President Mohamed Jameel Ahmed has sharply criticized the government's proposed amendment to the Law on Defamation, calling it a "Jewish agenda" and a deliberate path to allow space for religions other than Islam in the Maldives. In a Facebook post, Jameel said the bill, which also aims to prohibit raising voices against a specific religion or race, is dangerous and contains seditious statements. He claimed it would prohibit speaking against the settlement of Jews in the country and could forbid the teachings of the Quran. "This is not a hundred percent Muslim country? Is this place a multi-religious country? Are we signing international agreements without reservations? Usham is telling stories that do not match two things. This is a very Jewish agenda directly introducing the renunciation of Islam in various countries. Such irreligious acts will cause great fitna!" Jameel stated. The bill, prepared by the Vice President's office and submitted by Abdulla Rifa'ee, Member of Parliament for Maafannu South constituency, was removed from the Majlis agenda after being listed twice. The government or the ruling PNC have not stated whether the bill will be resubmitted. Public concern over the bill arose due to wording that could be misused to halt activities against Zionist Israelis. The proposed changes would make committing murder a first-degree offense with a basic punishment of 10 to 25 years in prison, and members of the public calling for such acts could face up to 10 years. Jameel's remarks come amid criticism over the government's signing of the first agreement to hand over 500 hectares of land in Rasfahuli to UAE's Eagle Hills company without prior public information. The government says it is leasing Rasfahuli for 99 years, but Eagle Hills stated that if the site is sold before the initial lease expires, a new 99-year lease period will begin. President Mohamed Muizzu had previously promised that no sand from Rasfahuli would be rented or given to any foreign party, even for a single day.