Top minister arrested over ‘performing black magic spell’

One of the most influential politicians in the Maldives has been arrested over’performing a black magic spell’ on the president, it has been reported.

Fathimath Shamnaz Ali Saleem, the minister for environment, climate change and energy, was arrested on Sunday along with two others in the capital Male.

According to local media, she carried out a sorcerous ritual against the republic’s leader Mohamed Muizzu, who took to the post in November 2023.

She has been remanded in custody for a week pending investigations, but police did not confirm any reports of ‘black magic’.

It is understood that officers raided Shamnaz’s home and confiscated items that sources say may have been used for a ritual.

Coconuts are often used in rituals and inscribed with spells, but it is unclear what was taken from the residency.

Shamnaz’s ministerial position is one of the most important in the Cabinet as the Maldives is on the frontline of the climate catastrophe.

UN environment experts have warned that the rising seas could make the country virtually uninhabitable by the end of the century. 

Black magic, known as ‘fandita’ or ‘sihuru’, is a widespread belief in the Maldives despite being considered a serious offense under Islamic law, which carries a six-month sentence in prison.

People across the archipelago practice traditional ceremonies, attempting to win favours and cause harm to their opponents.

This is also not the first time that it has been right at the centre of a scandal in the government.

In 2016, it was alleged that ‘black magic’ was deployed to sabotage the rivals of Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, who served as president of the Maldives from 2013 to 2018.

During the elections, his helpers buried coconuts and eggs during rituals at key locations such as the cemetery in the capital of Mali.

The fruit discovered by police was accused of ‘meddling in politics’ and potentially rigging the highly-contested election at the time.

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