MP for Fonadhoo constituency, Abdul Raheem Abdulla, has said that this is a time for the nation to unite and ensure that Leader of Jumhooree Party (JP) and speaker of Parliament, Qasim Ibrahim ascends to the Presidency.

The interim Leader of the People’s National Congress (PNC) said this at a joint press conference with Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM). He said that President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and Vice President Faisal Naseem will have to resign from their positions. MP Abdul Raheem gave the reason as both leaders not taking any action against those that insulted the religion of Islam.

He said that while this is a hundred percent Muslim country, many insult and criticize Prophet Mohammed (SAW) and companion Saḥābah. MP Abdul Raheem said that the Ministry of Islamic Affairs have remained silent on these criticisms. He added that the situation has escalated to a point where it calls for a resignation.

MP Abdul Raheem said that the current administration takes it actions with dependency on foreign powers. As such, he said that the five years of former President Yameen’s administration had been without bowing down to any foreign powers. He added that the previous administration of President Yameen did not carry out any act that took away from this country’s religion, independence or sovereignty.

He said that should the country move forward in this manner, while President Solih still remains in power, the religion and independence of this nation will disappear. As such, MP Abdul Raheem has said that what is best for this country is for President Solih to resignation from position.

He said that the best thing for this nation is for the country to unite and ensure that leader of JP Qasim Ibrahim ascends to the Presidency. MP Abdul Raheem said that the reason is that history is witness to the fact that Qasim Ibrahim is a leader that has never intended badly for this nation. As such, he noted that the best leader within the opposition at this time is Qasim Ibrahim.

MP Abdul Raheem greatly complimented the JP leader. He added that Qasim had said that MDP should not win majority at Parliament with the intention of not wanting to see harm to this country.  

The MP of Fonadhoo constituency has said that the opposition would use every formula to ensure that MDP does not win majority at upcoming Parliamentary elections.