Dhauru asked to remove Adhadhu cartoon image amid probe

The Media and Broadcasting Commission on Wednesday asked Dhauru to remove a cartoon image included in a news article reporting on the commission’s directive to media outlets to refrain from publishing a cartoon that appeared in the ‘Political Cartoon’ segment of Adhadhu.

The commission is investigating a cartoon published by Adhadhu on Thursday. On Sunday, it directed media outlets not to circulate the cartoon while the investigation is ongoing.

In a letter addressed to Dhauru editor Moosa Latheef, the commission said it is investigating a case related to the Adhadhu publication and requested that the image of the cartoon be temporarily removed from a news article published by Dhauru on Sunday.

The cartoon published by Adhadhu depicts a scene in which people are engaged in congregational prayer, with a long-nosed man resembling President Mohamed Muizzu shown taking money from the pocket of the imam.

The commission has stated that it is examining whether the publication suggests a link between prostration, a pillar of prayer, and fraud.

Adhadhu has previously said that the provisions cited in the commission’s letter state that content should not be published if it is contrary to the principles of Islam or promotes any religion other than Islam.

However, the newspaper noted that Article 274(a) of the Constitution defines the principles of Islam as those contained in the Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Prophet, whose authenticity is not in dispute, as well as Shariah principles and those implied by them.

Adhadhu said the cartoon was not intended to insult Islam or promote a religious message and stated that a response would be facilitated if the commission explains the legal basis on which the content is alleged to have violated the principles of Islam.