Powerful people tried to eliminate Adhaalath Party: Iyaz

The 20-year journey of the Adhaalath Party has been marked by relentless attempts from powerful political forces to dismantle it—but those efforts have failed because the party stands firmly on the truth, said senior party member Dr. Iyaz Abdul Latheef.

Speaking at the 20th anniversary celebration of the Adhaalath Party on August 18, Iyaz strongly criticized efforts aimed at weakening or erasing the party from the political landscape.

"The Adhaalath Party has been targeted by powerful groups, but their attempts have not succeeded. Why? Because the Adhaalath Party speaks the truth,” Iyaz declared at the event.

One of the key examples Iyaz cited was the amendment to the Political Parties Act, which barred parties with fewer than 10,000 registered members from receiving state funding.

Dr. Iyaz referenced earlier comments made by former party spokesperson and current Islamic Minister Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed, who described Adhaalath as acting like a referee in Maldivian politics. Iyaz echoed that sentiment.

“The first step to sideline the referee was to cut off budget support to parties with fewer than 10,000 members. But with the mercy of Allah and the far-sighted leadership of those running the party, we have continued.”

Iyaz noted that even after the party met the 10,000-member threshold, new regulations were introduced requiring fingerprint verification for membership, leading to the removal of long-standing members who had joined before the rule was implemented.

“Wherever it didn’t happen, our members were stolen—transferred to other parties without their knowledge. These are the kinds of injustices we’ve faced,” he said, adding that Adhaalath currently has around 8,000 members.

He also pointed to the imprisonment of party president Sheikh Imran Abdullah during previous administrations as another attempt to humiliate and suppress the party.

Iyaz made a pointed reference to former President Abdulla Yameen, who once strongly opposed Adhaalath. He noted the irony that some of those who “insulted” the party are now politically sidelined.

“Those who insulted Adhaalath Party back then are now sitting in their living rooms with their party members,” he said.

Despite all the obstacles, Iyaz emphasized that Adhaalath remains resilient.

“Adhaalath Party is standing by the mercy of Allah. It is strong. It will not be shaken in any way. This is a sincere effort, sustained only by the mercy of Allah,” Iyaz said, concluding his speech.