President announces bill to ensure laws comply with Islamic principles

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced plans to submit legislation to Parliament aimed at establishing a formal mechanism to ensure that laws enacted in the Maldives do not conflict with Islamic principles.

Speaking at the National Day celebrations held in HA. Utheemu on Saturday, the President said the country requires a structured system to safeguard the constitutional provision that prohibits laws contrary to Islam.

Muizzu said that throughout the country's history, periods in which policies became detached from Islamic values had coincided with challenges to the Maldives' independence and identity.

The President noted that the Constitution clearly states that laws, regulations and rules enacted in the Maldives must remain within the principles of Islam.

“Laws, rules and regulations formulated in the Maldives must remain within the boundaries and principles of the noble religion of Islam. This is how it is written on paper,” Muizzu said.

He questioned whether the country currently has a framework capable of ensuring that constitutional requirement is consistently upheld.

“The question is: does a robust mechanism exist to ensure this? Do we have such a strong structural framework within our rules? The answer is very short: No,” he said.

According to the President, while the constitutional requirement exists, there is no dedicated mechanism to systematically examine and prevent legislation that may conflict with Islamic principles.

Muizzu said the government intends to address that gap by creating a framework that would ensure, through established procedures, that laws inconsistent with Islam cannot be enacted.

“I give my full assurance to all citizens of the Maldives today that, God willing, a proposal to establish such a system will be submitted to the People's Majlis during its third session this year,” he said.

The President also said Islam remains central to Maldivian identity and nationhood. He described Islam as the foundation of the nation and said the Holy Quran forms a core part of the country's identity.

Referring to historical events, Muizzu stated that the Maldives experienced years of Portuguese rule after an individual abandoned the Islamic faith, arguing that the country's history demonstrates the importance of preserving its religious foundations.

The proposed bill is expected to be submitted during the third parliamentary session of the year.