Adhaalath Party condemns constitutional ammendment allowing women to run for presidency

"On Monday (14 January), the Special Majlis (constitutional assembly) voted in favour of giving women the right to compete for President. Clause 34 of the current Maldives constitution, which lists the eligibility criteria for presidential candidates, states a person "shall be qualified to be elected" if "he is a male."Forty Special Majlis members voted against a constitutional amendment proposed by opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) MP Hussain Ibrahim to ban women from standing.Twenty-two members voted in favour of his amendment, while twenty-four abstained." - Minivannews.com

According to Minivan News, the religious conservative Adhaalath Party condemned this amendment arguing that the Prophet Muhammad have said that women should never rule a country, hence making it one which contradicts the Islamic Shariah. While the Foreign minister described the amendment as "a vital step towards a modern Democracy", Adhaalath President Mohamed Didi said that it was "another step away from Shariah".

"Anything forbidden by the creator is not an individual right" Didi was quoted as saying.

In a letter addressed to the Chair of Special Majlis Qasim Ibrahim, the Party have explained with religious arguments why women should never be allowed to rule a country.

Source: Minivannews.com