Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Thimarafushi MP Mohamed Musthafa has said that its is a bad idea for President Mohamed Nasheed to lead the counter protest against the protest to be held by civil societies and political parties calling on to protect the state religion next Friday. Musthafa says that the President does not have to come out against a protest held to call on the protection and sustenance of Islam and its principles in the country and that doing so will “ruin the picture.” He says that 50,000 MDP members are to counter protest. “I know that those who come out to protest on December 23 will not be armed with guns, swords and knives. Their aim is to show what the people think, what the masses think. They are going to protest to call on the protection of Islam. So why should we twist the situation to otherwise?” he said. Musthafa had also sent an SMS to all MDP MPs expressing sentiment against the President’s decision. MDP’s Vice President Alhan Fahmy had also opposed the counter protest raising question as to why one should be held against those advocating for our religion. Musthafa says that if the President does lead the counter protest it paves the way for “future accusations.” “Tomorrow they’ll say the President led a confrontation. For example if the two protest meet on the same road, with the Police in the middle, think of what would happen next? Things will get dirty. The President is to stand amongst the first line of the protest. The picture is very clear to me,” Musthafa said. He says that the President will be accused of “assaulting the people”. Musthafa further claims that the President had been influenced by an official of MDP into taking the decision, but he did not mention who it is. “The President has been told that if he does not come out the counter protest will get no support. This type of actions is unacceptable. He is not the President of the party, he is the President of the country,” he said.