The Government Maldives says it is deeply concerned about the increase in aggression and provocative rhetoric towards the religion of Islam and the beloved Prophet (ﷺ).
In a statement, the government of Maldives categorically condemned such acts and deem them as none other than hate speech.
It said that efforts to denigrate Islam and the beloved Prophet (ﷺ) through derogatory remarks and blasphemous publications cannot be categorized as a reasonable exercise within the right of the freedom of expression.
The government said that as a democratic society built on the tenets of Islam, the Maldives remains committed to upholding the freedom of expression as a fundamental human right.
It said that the Maldives is opposed to all forms of extremism, whether in the name of religion or the purported exercise of the right to freedom of expression.
The government also said that the Maldives condemns all acts of terrorism and is committed to combatting terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms.
However, it said that the Maldives strongly refutes any attempt to link the peaceful religion of Islam with terrorism or violent extremism.
It said that such a characterization is not only fundamentally flawed, but irresponsible.
The Maldives urged everyone to exercise respect and tolerance and resort to non-violent and non-provocative means in the exercise of their fundamental human rights and that the Maldives remains committed to working with the international community to promote peace and tolerance.
