HaveeruOnline reports that the Religious Unity Regulations have finally been gazetted, along with "amendments" suggested by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs.
I am unable to download a copy of it from the official website, so I don't know what exactly is in it yet.
But if it contains even 50% of the original provisions, then I think we can safely say the Maldives is now effectively a theocracy.
Will this start a new era of censorship, clampdown on media, and thought control in Dhivehistan?
Very much, yes.
[Update: I got a chance to read the new Regulations. A lot of the more draconian measures proposed in the original regulations have been eliminated or toned down.
It does NOT, in fact, contain 50% of the original provisions - the 40 odd original articles have been pared down to 12. :-)
I appreciate the measures to outlaw discrimination against women, and hate-mongering in sermons. However, there still remains the issue of media censorship which remains my primary concern. Could have been worse. Should have been better.]
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~Peace
