In today's parliamentary national security committee enquiry into the planned commencement of Israeli national airline's flights to the Maldives, Dr Abdul Majeed Abdul Bari said Maldivians consider the matter not as a religious issue but a political matter. "In a letter sent on December 22, 2011, I requested the parliament to block the plan as the Maldives, being a democratic country that respects and advocates for human rights, strengthening the relationship with Israel, which does not follow human rights and international conventions, might lead to the disruption of social harmony in the country," he said. Dr Majeed, who denied having any knowledge about discussions held at the Cabinet over the matter, stressed that he met with Transport Minister Adil Saleem following his comments in the media about licensing El Al Israel Airlines to begin operations to the Maldives. "I advised him not to issue the license as such a move would pose threats to the national security. He said he was also trying very hard not to issue the license but that no policy exists to block requests made by another country to operate flights. And I later saw an interview given by him in the effect that he should issue the license unless the parliament decides on the matter," he said. The Transport Minister told the committee today that the license has not yet been given to El Al. Dr Majeed said he sent a letter to President Mohamed Nasheed on September 17, 2009 expressing concerns over the government's renewed efforts to improve relations with Israel. "Israel is doing everything in order to get our sympathy. No country is unaware of the inhumane actions committed by Israel. Keeping aside our religious beliefs, I believe that the Maldives, being a democratic country that respects and advocates for human rights, should not strengthen ties with Israel and allow its airlines to operate flights to the country," he said. The Islamic Minister, however, acknowledged that Israel is recognised by most of the countries of the world. "But I personally believe that Israel is not a legitimate state," he said. The committee also summoned Defence Minister Thalhath Ibrahim Kaleyfaanu today. Thalhath said Islamic Ministry is not tasked with investigating national security concerns. "They don't know how security should be handled and they don't have the authority to look into such matters. But the ministry can give its own opinion on the matter," he said. In response to Thulusdhoo MP Rozaina Adam, Thalhath said his ministry is only tasked to look into the security issues in licensing airlines to operate flights to Maldives. "Our approval is not required every time an airline wants to operate flights to Maldives. But the landing of an armed forces aircraft requires the [Defence Ministry's] permission," he said. "We all should accept the fact that commercial airlines are not considered threats. Our decision is that an airline would not be allowed to fly and land if it is considered a threat. But [an airline will not be licensed] if our people, the parliament or the government does not want it." El Al applied for the license to operate flights to the Maldives every Tuesday, commencing December 13. Israeli Sun D'Or International Airlines, a subsidiary of El Al, earlier applied to begin chartered flights to the Maldives but was denied license by Maldivian authorities after the Israeli Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) revoked the operating licence of the airline.