The Maldivian government has issued a statement condemning the increase in aggression and provocative rhetoric towards the religion of Islam and the beloved Prophet (ﷺ).

The statement released by the Maldivian Foreign Ministry said that the Maldives categorically condemns such acts and deem them as none other than hate speech.

“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 statement said.

As a democratic society built on the tenets of Islam, Maldives remains committed to upholding the freedom of expression as a fundamental human right, said the government, and 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.

Reiterating its commitment to combatting terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms and condeming all acts of terrorism, the Maldivian government said that the Maldives strongly refutes any attempt to link the peaceful religion of Islam with terrorism or violent extremism.

“Such a characterization is not only fundamentally flawed, but irresponsible. Maldives urges everyone to exercise respect and tolerance and resort to non-violent and non-provocative means in the exercise of their fundamental human rights. Maldives remains committed to working with the international community to promote peace and tolerance.” The statement said.