Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on Thursday said his government would not tolerate any attempt by "extremists to create division within the communities," and assured the nation about counter-measures being taken by the government to tackle the threat.

“Sexual abuse of children and women, depriving them of basic rights and forming divisions within the community in the name of Islam will not be tolerated,” Solih was quoted as saying by Raajje TV. The statement came on Thursday during his third presidential address to the Maldivian parliament.

In his address, he also claimed the foundation of Maldivian nationality fundamentally rests on Islamic beliefs. Solih also detailed the efforts by the government to "strengthen the faith of citizens to uphold the exemplary principles of Islam."

Detailing the efforts taken by the government to fight the extremism, he said his government would keep these extremist ideologies at bay.

“Islam is a religion that demands compassion for children in addition to nurturing, symbiotic relationships within communities, he said, adding he would not tolerate any attempts made by extremists to cause "divisions in Maldivian society".

Earlier also, Solih had described two grave threats to peace and national security in the Maldives: first, the violence propagated by extremists; Second, the anti-Islamic rhetoric adopted by some of the critics of the faith. 

Meanwhile, the opposition parties boycotted his address and staged a demonstration outside the main chamber. The opposition protested against the treatment meted out to their leader, and former president, Abdullah Yameen. He is serving a five-year prison sentence in the Maldives.