Rising Islamism sets stage for Maldives coup

political opponents fomented opposition among conservative Muslims by claiming Nasheed’s government was trying to undermine their faith.
Islamists calling for jihad against Nasheed played a significant part in anti-government protests that began in January.
Events came to a head Tuesday when a band of armed police and army officers backed the protesters and forced Nasheed to resign.
Yesterday, Nasheed called for the resignation of the man who replaced him, his former vice president, Waheed Hassan Manik, and for immediate presidential elections as a way out of the governance crisis. Elections are currently scheduled for 2013.
Nasheed and Manik were due to meet later yesterday with Oscar Fernandez-Taranco, United Nations assistant secretary-general for political affairs, in an attempt to broker a deal.
The US and India, both of which have recognised the new government, dispatched senior envoys to Male for consultations.
The emergence of hard-line Islam is a relatively new development for the Maldives. But it is stoking concern in neighbouring India that it could be used as a potential base for Islamist militants.
It also raises questions about the stability of a country which sits on strategically important sea lanes used to transport a large portion of the world’s crude oil.
And, the rise of conservative Islam, could have an impact on the country’s tourism industry.
Around 900 000 foreigners come to the country each year and the development of spas and bars to cater for them has angered some Islamist leaders.
Ahmed Naseem, the country’s recently ousted foreign minister, faced opposition at home last year when he became the first Maldivian official to visit Israel. He says religious orthodoxy has become the norm as more people go to study in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
“This country had no one wearing headscarves 10 years ago”, but its common now, said Naseem. The political opposition, he added, capitalised on this growing religiosity by portraying Nasheed as un-Islamic. “They’re using Islam as a tool.”
A Western diplomat said the nexus between Islamists and some politicians was a concern for the nation’s stability.
The Maldives, a country of almost 400 000 people, is almost entirely Muslim. The constitution makes Islam the state religion and minority faiths are not recognised. The legal system is a mixture of common law, a legacy of the former British colonists, and Koranic law. – The Wall Street Journal.