Must fill void in youth awareness on Islam, says Muizzu

President-elect Dr Mohamed Muizzu has said that there is a "gap to be bridged" in providing religious information to children and young people, and in order to do so, scholars should consider the ways in which they can provide such information.

Muizzu spoke in detail about the role of scholars and universities in a meeting with religious scholars of Maldives on Tuesday.

"Especially for the youth, in this globalised world, we need to start thinking carefully about how our message, Islamic message, religious information is given," he said.

Muizzu said the gap in providing religious information will be filled by conducting studies and based on the results.

"... Considering the new beliefs, especially in this globalised world, we need to understand the methodology that takes into account the messages that children, especially those who are ready to go to other parts of the world, and those who are ready to go to study, the techniques and ideas they use in providing religious information. Only then can we fill that gap," he said.

Muizzu said scholars and universities should be the ones who work to make decisions based on research in government policies. If that happens, the people will be assured that decisions are made with authentic information, he said.

"I mean, it may not be better if politicians sit down and decide to do the same thing," Muizzu said. "However, if the universities study it and conduct a good analysis based on facts, then we, the political decision-makers, can make the best, objective, unbiased, non-judgmental advice, evidence-based, fact-based, and then the decision will be made."

Muizzu said a national fund would be included in the state budget to provide the necessary funds for such studies.

“The country will have peace if the decision on matters is based on the information given by the experts and the decision comes on the basis of analysis or findings,” he said.

At the meeting held at the Meeruma Event Hall, Muizzu also called on the people to abandon individualism and promote unity. Muizzu said he campaigned and won the presidential election without saying anything personally to anyone.

“Individualism has to be abandoned by society,” the president-elect said.

"I want the people to be people who don't say anything bad about each other, who put good manners first and who bring back the behavior and relationships we should have”.

The country cannot achieve real development unless the good habits of the society are restored, he said.

“The country will not develop in the true sense until the wealth of the soul, the wealth of the mind and the wealth of the heart comes back,” he said.

The President-elect added:

The President-elect said that in the past, the people of Maldives cared for each other and worked together in unity.

Muizzu also called on the people of Maldives to stand up against other Muslims in the world and work for the right path.