Velezinee; Apostate or mentally unwell ?

Former member of JSC, Ms. Aishath Velezinee

Ms. Aishath Velezinee, a former member of the judicial service commission was arrested & taken into police custody last week’s Tuesday upon her return to the Maldives in relation to an ongoing investigation for “mocking Islam and leaving the principles of Islam” in videos posted on her Twitter and Facebook accounts. Ms. Velezinee’s arrest sparked debates on social media platform Twitter with many stressing she was mentally unstable by urging the concerned authorities to provide her with proper medical care & blamed the Islamic Ministry for declaring her as an apostate while she was in such a condition. On the other side several people openly called for her beheading and murder for openly mocking Islam with the intention of causing disregard for the religion & the holy prophet. Also her arrest has instigated huge controversy about how those who carry out such acts should be punished, and what role the law should play in preventing blasphemy.

Islam is the state religion of the Maldives and the constitution states a non-Muslim cannot become a citizen. Protection of Islam, including speech and action against any tenet of Islam is already protected by the Constitution. The freedom to speak freely, without censure, is a fundamental human right that should be guaranteed to citizens of every just state.  However every true Muslim loves and regards the Holy Prophet Muhammad, the Founder of Islam, more than any other human being. A Muslim may tolerate insults against his parents, relatives or friends, but he cannot endure anyone mocking the Prophet Muhammad. Many mistakenly believe that Islam does not tolerate the existence of other religions present in the world but the dealings of the Prophet, with other religions can best be described in the verse of the Quran: “To you be your religion, to me be mine”.

Though of great concern at the present time is the subject of whether Islam prescribes any punishment for blasphemy, it's morally wrong to hurt the religious sensibilities of others, as it can disturb the peace and harmony of society and disrupt law and order. The truth is that both religious sensitivities and freedom of speech are important and need to be protected. There is no conflict if both operate within their limits and do not trespass into each other’s domain. Freedom of expression must be practiced as enshrined in Article 27 of the Constitution of Maldives.