President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's Campaign Spokesperson and Defense Minister Mariya Mohamed has stated that their aim is educating as many children as possible about Islam as easily as possible while stating that the opportunity should be given to students who want to study Islam in English in their manifesto.

Mariya's statement is a direct response to Male' City Mayor and opposition candidate, Mohamed Muizzu, who has been critical of this point.

Speaking at campaign meetings, he said the teaching of Islam in English was an attempt to undermine the country's patriotism. According to Muizzu, the language and Islam are two things that are linked to nationalism. Muizzu said the country's future could not be secured without protecting both.

Speaking at a press conference held by MDP this morning, Mariya said that even if it is included to give the opportunity to students who want to study Islam in English, the subject would still remain in Dhivehi as is.

She added that since most of the present-day children are English-speaking and there are enough Islamic literature in English to conduct large-scale research, having that opportunity for students who want to study Islam in English will only increase their interest in studying Islam.