Elderly Man Remanded in Funadhoo Over Sorcery Allegations

A 60-year-old man has been remanded by the Funadhoo Magistrate Court for 15 days on sorcery charges, accused of attempting to cast black magic on newly elected Funadhoo representative Mohamed Mamdooh (Manday). The arrest sparked protests by island residents demanding legal action. Sorcery (sihuru) is prohibited under the Religious Unity Act, but legal loopholes hinder prosecution. Belief in black magic is widespread in the Maldives, where licensed folk magic (fanditha) is permitted under a 1978 law. Past incidents include the Islamic Ministry ordering Sangu TV to cancel a sorcery programme in 2016, and the Maldives Figh Academy warning against promoting black magic in 2015. Manday won the election with 1,110 votes, defeating MDP candidate Ilham Ahmed.

A 60-year-old man has been remanded by the Funadhoo Magistrate Court for 15 days on sorcery charges, accused of attempting to cast black magic on newly elected Funadhoo representative Mohamed Mamdooh (Manday). The arrest sparked protests by island residents demanding legal action. Sorcery (sihuru) is prohibited under the Religious Unity Act, but legal loopholes hinder prosecution. Belief in black magic is widespread in the Maldives, where licensed folk magic (fanditha) is permitted under a 1978 law. Past incidents include the Islamic Ministry ordering Sangu TV to cancel a sorcery programme in 2016, and the Maldives Figh Academy warning against promoting black magic in 2015. Manday won the election with 1,110 votes, defeating MDP candidate Ilham Ahmed.

A 60-year-old man has been remanded by the Funadhoo Magistrate Court for 15 days on sorcery charges, accused of attempting to cast black magic on newly elected Funadhoo representative Mohamed Mamdooh (Manday). The arrest sparked protests by island residents demanding legal action. Sorcery (sihuru) is prohibited under the Religious Unity Act, but legal loopholes hinder prosecution. Belief in black magic is widespread in the Maldives, where licensed folk magic (fanditha) is permitted under a 1978 law. Past incidents include the Islamic Ministry ordering Sangu TV to cancel a sorcery programme in 2016, and the Maldives Figh Academy warning against promoting black magic in 2015. Manday won the election with 1,110 votes, defeating MDP candidate Ilham Ahmed.

This story involves 1 source and may affect public understanding of black magic / sorcery.