Tanzania, Feb. 13 -- In the Maldives, Islam is not only the state religion; citizens are expected to practice it per the country's new Constitution from 2008.

Article 9 (d) of the Constitution declares that "a non-Muslim may not become a citizen of the Maldives," whereas "Islam is the religion of the State of the Maldives and the basis for all Maldivian laws would be Islam," stated Article 10(a).

During former President Ibrahim M Solih's tenure (2018-2023), the Maldives implemented counter-terrorism and violent extremism policies, acknowledging every act of terrorism and taking aggressive steps against all manifestations; nonetheless, the success was not considerable.

Under the leadership of President Solih, the Maldivian government im...