The killing of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei caused by attacks from the United States of America (USA) and Israel was an act of cowardice and ill intent, and Muslims should not stand by and accept such an act from their enemies, as was stated by former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom last night.
During the Ihya program being held at the Maumoon Foundation last night, Gayoom said that the killing of Iran's supreme leader via such a devastating attack is a tragedy that befell the nation and that it should not have happened.
"The supreme leader was killed by an air strike while he was working in his office. This is not a war. This is an act of cruelty. If I were to say it in English, this was a murder. The intentional killing of a person. He did not die in the midst of a war," said Gayoom.
He went on to say that what is being seen from the enemies of Muslims are acts of cruelty, where a leader is being killed after they are elected in a Muslim nation. He also said that such acts are unacceptable and that people should stand up and oppose them.
Gayoom said that all believers are one and should remain united.
As per Gayoom, if enemies of Muslim's were to attack an Islamic nation, they should all come together as one and retaliate or defend their land.
Gayoom highlighted that even if dissatisfaction exists between two Muslim parties, others should work to resolve the issue. Gayoom gestured to the dissatisfaction that has formed between Iran and other Middle Eastern countries that should be erased.
According to Gayoom, God has commanded that if enemies of Muslims were to attack them, they are to ready themselves in defense, and ready war tactics and war machines. Gayoom said that the enemies are to be intimidated.
Gayoom continued, stating that the ongoing war has no basis, with those in power taking immediate action. He also stated that those in power are bombing and murdering people, with their houses being destroyed.
"War should not take place. In the event it is unavoidable, it should be done in a certain manner. No one should be killed nor places destroyed as anyone pleases," said Gayoom.
"What is happening now are simply acts of cowardice. Acts of cowardice without end."
In a post shared on X, Gayoom stated previously that he condemns the killing of Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as a sincere Muslim. He also extended condolences to Khamenei's family and the people of Iran.
Gayoom is the only senior political figure to have spoken out against Khamenei's killing. Neither the government nor senior leaders have addressed the issue.
The Maldives also did not extend official condolences following Khamenei's death. Although the Maldives' flag was flown at half-mast over the death of previous Iran leaders, no such action has been taken this time.
The media pressed President Dr Mohamed Muizzu on the government's silence during Monday's briefing. He replied only in general terms, saying that the death of any Muslim in war is a cause for sorrow.
The President asserted that Maldives shares the stand of Muslim Arab countries. He declared that he condemns attacks from the US, Israel and Iran.
He further said that he is communicating with Arab leaders to express Maldives' support during the ongoing war in the Middle East.
Following US and Israel strikes on Iran, Iran has been taking retaliatory action through missile attacks on US bases in neighbouring countries.
