Following is an article I published on Dhivehi Observer about three yars ago (on 01st Sept 2005)
Despite the efforts by the state owned media to portray him as a villain, the Chairman of MDP (Nasheed) is seen by many Maldivians as their saviour.,Many of us look up to him and his party, to free us from the undemocratic political system that is prevalent in this country. In the face of virtually insurmountable odds and difficulties, Nasheed is leading his struggle to bring democracy and legitimate human rights to this miniscule country of ours. Even though many Maldivians look at Nasheed as a hero, the government doesn't think so. This is the main reason why he is currently in prison, accused of sponsoring and coordinating terrorism. Mind you, he is only accused and not proven guilty. Mohamed Nasheed (Anni); the Chairman of MDP is indeed a hero of this generation.
Perhaps the police would look at me as a terrorist too, for granting hero status to Nasheed. If anyone in this country could be legitimately described as the father of modern democracy in Maldives, that person is Nasheed. We have seen pictures and video clips of how Nasheed was dragged to the police station, like a sack of potatoes. His crime was taking part in a peaceful demonstration earlier this month. About two weeks after his arrest, we saw Nasheed being bundled into the court. Fortunately he wasn't dragged this time, but he was carried like a rag doll, by a muscular policeman. The picture looked like a fat mother trying to breast feed an unusually large baby. Welcome to multiparty democracy, Maldivian style.
The makeshift assembly hall (Haruge), where MDP holds party meetings has been dismantled, the grounds dug up and the party has been denied the rights to use that facility ever since. Police personnel carried out this, while the Attorney General seemed to pronounce judgment on MDP, without even a trial. People say that Attornry General, Hassan Saeed, is a law graduate. Personally I haven't seen his university certificate. I may not know legal jargon as much as Hassan Saeed but I'm pretty sure that the constitution doesn't grant anyone (not even the Attorney General) the right to pronounce judgment on someone while the matter is being investigated by the police.
Listening to Hassan Saeed chatting to Shakeeb'be on Television Maldives, I made a silent vow that I would never send my daughter to the same university that Saeed studied in (if my daughter decides to study law). I also decided that I would never send my daughter to the same institute where Shakeeb'be learnt the intricacies of ethics. Wherever that maybe.
Listening to the state sponsored propaganda on the national television; I was struck by the contrast in the programs of the national radio. At least the radio programs aren't as one-sided as that of TVM. The difference is perhaps in the styles of Hussein Mohamed (TVM) and Badhuru Naseer (Radio). Maybe Badhuru would have a clearer conscience when the dust settlers finally.
Perhaps I shouldn't describe the words of Shakeeb'be and Heena Waleed as propaganda. Well, propaganda is something that penetrates into the minds of unassuming people. What was coming out of TVM was more like gibberish. Only fools would believe that.
The Acting Government Spokesman was indeed acting. His versions of Nasheed's arrest were contradictory. I believe that MDP has to thank Gayyoom for having this guy as the Acting Government Spokesman. With his acting he seems to be doing an awful lot of good for MDP's cause. His predecessor (the Chief Government Spokesman), said that Gayyoom is the father of Maldivian democracy. The women's rights groups should perhaps lobby that the Great Leader should be described as the "Parent of Democracy" instead of being called the father.
Recently I spoke to a senior official of a European embassy in Colombo. He assured me that, as far as he can see, there is no legitimate case against Nasheed. He believes that Nasheed would be released soon and that Maldivians would get the chance to cast their votes at a multi-party election pretty soon. How soon, I asked. He believes that the inevitable would happen later this year. Would that make Gayyoom the Father of multiparty elections as well? If his party wins that election I'm sure that his spokesman would pronounce that title for him.
Personally I believe that the chances of finding aliens in space is higher than the chances of Gayyoom's party winning a free and fair election in this country. That's my humble opinion. Gayyoom has to of course hold elections if he wants to prove me wrong. I hope he takes the democratic path in proving me wrong, instead of arresting me for expressing a personal opinion.
wow, very special, i like it.
ReplyDeleteYour article is very one sided. Journalism is about exploring all the sides of everything and letting the readers decide. Usually, one sided articles will result in the message being delivered the other way round, unintensionally. So, please do practice professional journalism. How many people in this country beleive that Anni is capable of running a government? One may be good in organizing street protests, however that doesn't necessarily mean that he or she will be capable of running the goverment.
ReplyDeleteI met a friend in Colombo who worked in Ellaidhoo resort bar (At that time Keneree family owned the resort). He said he used to grab Anni from the bar every night while he Anni was drunk. I think a presidential candidate should be decent.
ReplyDeleteNeither Anni, nor Mariya, nor Dr Waheed (who couldn't recite a simple surah) have even the basic knowledge of islam. Just wondering why are they trying to run a country where the constitution is based on islamic principles.
But we have to keep in mind, if we want to get rid of Maumoon for good, we might have to Vote anni, too if thats what needs to be done to get rid of Maumoon.
ReplyDeleteIts not cos hes the greatest.He is no leader.But unless the oppossiotion unites we might have to Vote for Anni as well.Lets wait till one day before the election.
I am sure no sane person considers Maumoon as an option.Only old people from islands are there with him.He has chances of winning too with those islanders.
Hassan Saeed is more Maumoon than Maumoon himself. He even recites Quran in the campaign. Even the dress sense, appearances and mannerisms are authentic Maumoon.
ReplyDeleteAlso Maumoon is less like original Maumoon.
So if you really want Maumoon, vote for Hassan and then you get Maumoon again.
We need anni to monitor and right tarck the government, Without good opposition we may face lot of problem, i think Anni always should be in oppision side. If he elect as president we will face lot of problem. Think twice and dont wont Anni and Gayyoom.
ReplyDeleteIs Anni really the opposition?
ReplyDeleteI have a gut feeling that Anni the activist might be of need in the upcoming days
ReplyDeleteI will test Annis leadership in the following 2 ways.
ReplyDelete1- If any one other than Maumoon gets elected, he should respect that person from action and deeds, that is sincerely.
2-If Maumoon gets elected we want Anni to solve the issue for us in favour of Maldivians.
Maummon used $40 Million donated by the Qatar Emir to Tsunami victims the case is under investigation by interpol,
ReplyDeletehttp://riyaasee2008.com/2008/10/03/422/
Say No to Golhaa!
I am a supporter of Anni. I beleive that we should have freedom in choosing our faith. Unlike Hassan Saeed, Anni doesn't recite Quran and Hadith. These are personal issues. One should not instruct anyone to follow a certain religion. In a modern world, and especially in a country fully dependent on tourism where international links are vital, multi religion is very important. I am a muslim but I beleive we all should have freedom in our beleif.
ReplyDeleteVote for Anni, Vote for Change, Vote for REAL freedom
As much as some like it to be, the issue in the election is not Maumoon. It is not even about the election of a president. This election is all about bringing a much desired correction to the system. We are in the process of adjusting to a new equilibrium.
ReplyDeleteAnd what is it, you may ask?
The world has changed rapidly in the last 10 years with new technology, internet, mobile phones, cable TV, cheap travel in a tsunami of globalization. We are now part of the global culture, for which we are making the adjustment. This requires a serious upgrade of the political system - you don't do it by blaming Maumoon. Infact Maumoon is not even a factor here.
We are witnessing a global change that demands an equivalent change to our attitudes and lifestyles. Out with the tried, tested and failed methods and in with the values and aspirations of Generation X.
Power is not about right or wrong. It is about sustainability of the current system, which has been in Maldives for centuries.
Now with globalization and with new rules, even Maldives is forced to change. No one can hold it back.
Question is who is best to lead this. None of the candidates have proven credentials to do this. Who is talking about new technology and new ways of doing things?
Even USA and Europe are changing and adjusting to the new reality. But our learned Phd people are talking of copying their systems which they themselves are questioning now.
Our present situation demands a good statesman who is able to articulate the values and aspirations of our new generation.
The future cannot be determined by the values of the middles aged people, because they are just as clueless.
This anni is the sort of guy who can openly call for violence and still evade arrest.Remember what he said prior to referendum election.If 'barulamaanee' does not win,he will create a tsunami.
ReplyDeleteSuch mindless idiots have become your heroes? And what about you? You have promised never to write to a certain magazine before maumoon falls
anni, hassan, qasim, ibra and umar. is it possible for maumoon to get 100 percent of vote while all these five candidates are in the contest. so a run to a second round is 100 guranteed.
ReplyDeletei mean 51 percent
ReplyDeleteThe best thing is when Anni says "maaiy amuraai iraadhafulhu"; exact words in bible translation. Come on Anni, we want christianity, we want islam, we want everything. We will struggle to get you elected. We can't wait for our freedom.
ReplyDeleteAnni, we're with you. Please give us our freedom back. We'll support your connections with David Hardingdam and the Conservaties. These deals are perfectly okay.
ReplyDeleteVote Anni and Vote for change
Anni wants to take credit for everything. Read the following article on haveeru.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.haveeru.com.mv/?page=details&id=74238
Anni for Christianity
ReplyDelete