A group of about 100 Maldivians have petitioned Islamic Ministry to prevent the activities carried out in Maldives by US Embassy officials to recruit Maldivians to the Green Card Lottery programme.
A petition signed by 107 people described the activities carried out by officials of the US Embassy in Colombo as “an addition to the different efforts by non-Muslims to introduce poker to the Maldives”.
US Embassy officials held public presentations in Addu City on Saturday and in Male last evening to provide information about the Green Card Lottery programme.
US Embassy’s Visa Section head William Dova told an audience of about 50 last evening that winners of the lottery should pay visa fees despite the registration being open for free.
The Green Card winners are eligible to apply for US citizenship after five years of residence in the country, he added.
Registration for the Green Card Lottery programme will open on October 4 and will continue until November 5.
The lottery is gambling, which is haraam. Allah, may He be exalted, says in His Book (interpretation of the meaning):
“O you who believe! Intoxicants (all kinds of alcoholic drinks), and gambling, and Al‑Ansaab (stone altars for sacrifices to idols etc), and Al‑Azlaam (arrows for seeking luck or decision) are an abomination of Shaytaan’s (Satan’s) handiwork. So avoid (strictly all) that (abomination) in order that you may be successful.
91. Shaytaan (Satan) wants only to excite enmity and hatred between you with intoxicants (alcoholic drinks) and gambling, and hinder you from the remembrance of Allaah and from As‑Salaah (the prayer). So, will you not then abstain?”
[al-Maa’idah 5:60-61].
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