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Open Forum - June 2004
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Instead of Mukthaar, Ahammad and Azu tell us who is right and who is wrong, please let us know who you individually favour in this quest for a regime change. I support none of the candidates you have been talking about.
Habeeb
Perth, Australia - Wednesday, June 30, 2004 at 23:56:14 (MDT)
I have a wonderful idea.
Let Maumoon resign and hand over the power to the contributors to this
forum and let's watch what happens next. I think we need a democracy
where even USA & UK politicians must come to learn from us. Something so
pure and unique and original Maldivian format.
There was joke, I heard years ago, saying that if you leave all the
Maldivians surrounded by a wall, no one will escape from it, because
they (the people inside) will bring down anyone who is trying to climb
over it.
We just can't accept anyone to be successful. Whether it is Gayyoom,
Yameen, Gasim, Sappe, Saadiq, Anni or Latheef.
"Verily never will God change the condition of a people until they
change it themselves." - Qur'an 13:11
I would like to congratulate Sappe for reminding this every time we
visit his website.
Yoosuf Ali
Colombo, Sri Lanka - Wednesday, June 30, 2004 at 23:22:09 (MDT)
The most perfect
person to run the country is Maumoon. You guys are crazy. When you
have no idea how to run a family nor a company, except arguing "mashey
emme molhee" then we are back to square one. Yes, democracy is to
bring freedom and to allow everyone to question one another and their
leaders. If you guys cannot tolerate or accept anyone than we will run
around looking for someone, and end of the day we will settle for
Gayyoom.
If you cannot support Sappe for all what he is doing, or Gasim,
Saadiq, Anni, Latheef and the rest, we will lead nowhere. Help each
one of them and give your 100% support. We need unity to make this
happen.
Raamiz
Male, Maldives - Wednesday, June 30, 2004 at 23:01:26 (MDT)
We, the Maldivians have national aspirations that should be achieved through collective effort of the people. I believe this task should not be trusted on to people who have betrayed the whole nation repeatedly in the past quarter century of the dictator's rule. My biggest concern is that, even today the majority of the people in the People's Majlis (or Maumoon's Majlis as it could rightly be called), have really dirty hands, who are programmed to be subservient to the Dictator rather than being faithful to the needs and aspirations of the people of the country. I wonder how many members of the special Majlis really have the integrity to stand up against the tyranny. There still is no reason to celebrate in the name of democracy. We are very far from achieving any real democracy in the Maldives.
Socrates
Athens, Greece - Wednesday, June 30, 2004 at 22:57:31 (MDT)
I guess we will need another Prophet to come out and bring a totally new idea to run our people of 300,000 people. I think we have to take an idle model otherwise we have to accept Gayyoom's model and keep quiet.
Najeeb
Male, Maldives - Wednesday, June 30, 2004 at 22:52:16 (MDT)
Dear Ahammadhu,
You can contact MLD at
mldcanada@comcast.net or to Saadiq through mldusa@comcast.net.
Please feel free to contact them.
Regards
Zubair
Vancouver, Maldives - Wednesday, June 30, 2004 at 22:37:06 (MDT)
Ethics, and morality.
Judge for your selves, readers.
And Naeem from Brisbane. Why is it that you don't care. Of course you
should care, we all should care of who our president should be. If its
Saadiq, MDP, Sappe, Anni or Maumoon, we should always ask these
questions whether they are eligible for presidency or not. Its not only
a question of qualification, nor from where you studied, or how rich you
are, which should be (apart from many other things) the "Sharuthu" to
become a president. There is obviously more to it as we are seeing here.
Mukhthaar
Male', Maldives - Wednesday, June 30, 2004 at 21:25:07 (MDT)
Accountability is
important said "It is not a copy of the ANC Reconstruction plan. The
similarities are there because of the similar situations we have in the
two countries, although the obvious ones seems quite deferent. MLD's
Development plan is quite unique in its relevance to Maldives much the
same as ANC's plan for South Africa."
The whole MLD Development plan is a WORD FOR WORD COPY of the South
African RDP with 'Maldives' inserted for 'South Africa', 'DP' inserted
for 'RDP' and 'Maumoon's brutal regime' inserted for 'Apartheid'. There
is NOT A SINGLE original idea in the whole document, let alone anything
unique about it. . It is intellectual plagiarism at it's worst.
I am not surprised we cannot contact Saadiq or MLD. They are trying to fool us as Maumoon has fooled us all these years.
Ahammadhu
Male', Maldives - Wednesday, June 30, 2004 at 12:50:47 (MDT)
Gayyoom can dissolve the
parliament and ask the Special Majlis to make the necessary amendments
within 1 year and he can contest in an election where his brother is not
the minister of atolls and his brother Yameen is not the head of every
government agency that can influence the islanders through his official
connections. If he wins, I will support him under a new constitution
where there is a check and balance.
If we reform the constitution and still keep Gayyoom and his family in
power, what is the use of reforms?
I think we are being cheated again. Unless we see these changes, in the
near future, we better support some one else who can bring this entire
regime down. Either it is Gasim or Saadiq, I just don't care.
Naeem
Brisbane, Australia - Wednesday, June 30, 2004 at 15:50:07 (MDT)
An interesting read.
http://www.essex.ac.uk/ecpr
Sharah Ahmed
London, UK - Wednesday, June 30, 2004 at 11:20:17 (MDT)
Sarah, the article you posted here is very interesting. We heard rumours many years ago that an airline under the Maldives name was used in the Middle East to smuggle arms for Palestinian causes. Now all this makes sense because how come we do not register "Maldive Airlines" as the official name of our airline? Because Maldive Airlines EXISTED and operated in the Middle East for the Palestinians and went bankrupt. That's why we can never use that name again. Maumoon has sold our pride to his Arabic nationalistic ideals for a few million dollars. Maybe that's why Yasir Arafat visited Maldives many years ago. Otherwise why would he visit us? What can we do to help his cause?
AAG - Anti Azhar Group
Maldives - Wednesday, June 30, 2004 at 19:09:07 (MDT)
Please kindly
acknowledge the source of your articles on the main page.
There are 2 articles (from Haveeru, and the link takes us there) on the
main page of your web site.
For the reader who doesn't access the link, the article would seem to be
one of DO's work. This is unfair. And unethical!
It would be better if you could place a small note with the heading of
such articles stating that they are from "Haveeru". Those disrespectful
writers at Haveeru deserves that much respect.
Ethical writing
Male', Maldives - Wednesday, June 30, 2004 at 18:41:08 (MDT)
Sappe is "almost" on
his own with lots of advisors including Muju who does the homework for
Sappe. Sappe is a full time employ of DO and not of MDP.
Gasim/Saadiq I am told are full time businessmen and a part time
politicians. MDP is bunch of...(I leave someone else to describe) with a
wonderful dream that this is going to change by writing wired comments
on this forum and writing "wonderful" articles. I don't think we are
heading anywhere instead playing into Gayyoom's hands.
We just need to be patient and pray that we will find leaders who will
work for us.
Wasif
Sydney, Australia - Wednesday, June 30, 2004 at 18:00:47 (MDT)
Just wondering .. so if Saadiq came into power with his proposed development plan (a.k.a. African National congress's developmental plan), should we expect our constitution to be a carbon copy of South Africa's as well? ... And while we are at it, should we also perhaps change the name our name from 'The Maldives' to "South Africa Junior"? or "south Africa Reincarnated"?
Azu
Melbourne, Australia - Wednesday, June 30, 2004 at 14:06:50 (MDT)
An original plan by
Saadiq!!! .. HA! What a laugh! .. And everyone thinks these people
supposedly wanting to bring about so-called reform to the Maldives are
angels of freedom??? They are the ones who will liberate us from the
oppression of the current regime?? HA HA HA .. well, I think this is
what the general Maldivian can expect if there is a shift in power - a
government that assumes we would be so ignorant that they could commit
blatant criminal acts such as this and claim everything is all right and
all they are interested in is the overall good of the whole of
Maldives!... people ... get a grip! ... Yes, a good change will be good
... but do we really want the reigns of our country passed on to the
people who are proposing this supposedly wonderful revolution? well, NOT
ME FOR ONE!
And a word for any other "president wannabes" .. develop an idea of your
own before you propose we place our trust in you to save the country
from whatever perils you foresee befalling us!
Azu
Melbourne, Australia - Wednesday, June 30, 2004 at 13:58:27 (MDT)
RE: COMMENTS OF NATASHA
ALI, FIJI
Thanks for the idea to get parliament dissolved and forming an interim
government immediately after the new constitution.
Before this, I think that there is a much more fundamental question each
and every Maldivian should address regarding the proposed changes to the
constriction.
Some of the questions I would like to put forward to President Maumoon:
What's the timeline for the proposed change? Yes we do know some changes
will come and you can talk alot about what will be changed, but more
fundamental questions are when? and how?
When will the changes will come into force? How will those changes be
brought about? Will there be any interim government or not, should there
be any role of international community in bringing this change?
Should we wait another 18 years for the new constitution?
Democrat
Lanka, Maldives - Wednesday, June 30, 2004 at 10:59:45 (MDT)
"And how's this for irony? Arafat, the
one-time mastermind of aircraft hijackings, is part owner of several
airlines, including the national carriers of the Maldives and
Guinea-Bissau."
read more...................
http://www.aijac.org.au
Sharah Ahmed
Cuba - Wednesday, June 30, 2004 at 10:21:55 (MDT)
Just hours after your
website reported MLD's connections in South Africa, Maldivian government
contacted South African Authorities who contact MLD representative here
to see whether they were playing any part to change the regime in the
Maldives. I am sure you all are aware Gayyoom's meeting with a Islamic
Organization in Cape Town. This is was not a meeting to strengthen the
relationship with Islamic brotherhood but to stop the funding of MLD.
Most South African business communities have supported Saadiq and his
political movement for many years.
I hope Saadiq learned the South African way of change. Patience not
Revenge!
Ahamad Salih
Durban, South Africa - Wednesday, June 30, 2004 at 09:42:41 (MDT)
I can confirm that Sappe is not working alone and he has a lot of help from Muju Naeem, who was openly engaged but his father and step mother forced him to step aside. However, he is still very much in the game and hence deserves much credit.
As a mutual friend, I
can tell that they work together and their aim is the same. They both
are working hard so Muju deserves much credit as well.
Thank you Muju! We appreciate your work too.
Maldivian
Male', Maldives - Wednesday, June 30, 2004 at 05:56:09 (MDT)
Can someone tell Gayyoom that Dhivehi Observer articles are all over the place. Is he now going to block internet traffic to Maldives and have a special Maldives wide intranet?... now that is an idea. He can also shut down Dhiraagu and the airports, close all the resorts, declare himself king.. perhaps GOD, he will, believe me..
http://www.southasianmedia.net
Hooray Dhivehi Observer!! Sappey you are incredible and your work is much admired and appreciated by a great majority of Maldivians around the world. This is now our source of news and information on Maldives.
WWW.DHIVEHIOBSERVER.COM
Observer Fan
Male', Maldives - Wednesday, June 30, 2004 at 05:53:14 (MDT)
Nazeer Ahmed Jamaal ge suvaalu aa behe gothun, Kuwait gai vanee varh fulhaa ko'h bahus koffa kamah habaru libey. Adhi ahannah fennanee e bahus ge nimun nimunu goi hoadhan vejje hen aharumenves.
Jazee
Male', Maldives - Wednesday, June 30, 2004 at 05:24:11 (MDT)
One NSS personnel posted
in this forum his words, "Mr. Saadiq we are waiting for your orders".
Why should you wait for Mr. Saadiq to give you an order?
Who is Mr. Saadiq to give that order?
Why do you have to wait for his order when there are hundreds of
requests by common Maldivian for the same effect?
If it is an order that you need then here it is: we the Maldivian people
ORDER you to get Gayyoom and his family to step aside to make way for
democratic governance!
If it is your undying loyalty to Mr. Saadiq that is holding you from
acting on behalf of common Maldivian, till Mr. Saadiq issues that order,
then you are of no good to the Maldivian cause. You guys need to grow
out of this culture of working for the elite and powerful. You are there
to work for the people! Your oath is to protect Islam, the country and
its people. Not the scum president.
Your country needs you to act on the oath that you took. Islam, the
country and its people are in danger from this government. We may wait
for MLD, MDP or FIP to come in due time to help the Maldivian people.
The alternative is for you to stay true to your oath and act now. GET
GAYYOOM NOW! Peacefully!
If you must know, the Mr. Saadiq order that you are waiting for has been
given years ago and it is echoing in every island of the country, too
bad your ears are covered by that beret you are wearing.
Note: some other statements!
?X NSS Officer said, ˇ§I just want to tell you Saadiq, Anni, and
Sappe, we are supporting you and waiting for orders from Saadiq to turn
this around.ˇ¨
[Male, Maldives - Monday, June 28, 2004 at 17:08:11 (MDT)]
He also said:
?X NSS Officer said, "Just let us know when you guys are ready"
[Male, Maldives - Monday, June 28, 2004 at 17:08:11 (MDT)]
?X Wajeeh said, "We need some NSS officers to give a go ahead to
bring this regime down". [KL, Malaysia - Saturday, June 26, 2004 at
13:44:41 (MDT)]
?X Lachey said, "With many disgruntled officers and supporters of
the opposition within the NSS it is just a matter of time NOW"
[Henveiru, Maldives - Wednesday, June 02, 2004 at 17:31:31 (MDT)]
Get on your
feet
Male', Maldives - Wednesday, June 30, 2004 at 04:43:45 (MDT)
This appeared in The
Maldivian: "29 June 2004 - We know who some of those 23 members are ...
The whole country knows ... They include the recently elected Shahin
Hameed, Monaza Naeem, Nafa Naseem and the appointed members Zahiya
Zareer and Dr Fathin Hameed. These MP's have no guts. And I doubt they
are loyal to anyone but their own materialistic needs. Anybody can buy
these people.
-Ibrahim Hussain Zaki-"
I don't know about others, but Dr Faathin Hameed. Believe me, she has
lots of guts. She is a hard worker, not like many other people in the
senior Government posts, who doesn't give a "s..t" about the public. SHE
CARES ABOUT THE PEOPLE. Especially the rural island people. I have seen
her working without any proper sleep for days and though she is Daughter
of Hameed, I know she has questioned the policies of the present
government. Since I am from one of the remote islands, I have seen her
work and how effective she is when it comes to serving the people.
Jau
Maldives - Wednesday, June 30, 2004 at 04:19:49 (MDT)
The real reason why Dr Waheed left the Ministry of Education is because he got a better job at UN. And the same is true for the well respected former Deputy Minister Hameed. Who wouldn't want a more prestigious and a better paid job? Seedhibe was transferred to a much high profile position in another department of the government. So please get your facts right when you write about others.
Facts.
Maldives - Wednesday, June 30, 2004 at 03:40:31 (MDT)
BREAKING NEWS:
Nazim (Villa de Light) who works at the Maldives Human Rights Commission
has been sacked by the Maldivian Government. According to reliable
sources Nazim was sacked because he has exposed the governments
continued refusal to acknowledge the torture, abuse and injustice its
has inflicted on the people of Maldives economically, socially and
politically.
Insider, Public Services Division, PO.
Maldives - Wednesday, June 30, 2004 at 03:34:56 (MDT)
"Sappe, thanks for
covering the activities in Male'. You are doing a fantastic job. We are
very grateful to you. For most of us whether it is MDP or MLD doesn't
matter. We need a new government, new policies and a better future.
Seema
KL, Malaysia - Tuesday, June 29, 2004 at 23:54:12 (MDT)"
Seemaa , it does matter to me.
Aishath Shehenaaz
Maldives - Wednesday, June 30, 2004 at 03:08:57 (MDT)
Talking about
accountability, there are serious questions which the public needs
answers from MDP too.
I guess most of the readers who visit this forum knows what these
questions are already. I my self has raised some of these questions in
this forum in the past. So MLD and MDP both should become more
responsible, ethical and "clean" and more transparent than they are
today, if they want us to believe in what they say without any doubts.
As for MLD they still havent come out openly in public. So we are forced
with one option which is MDP, who seems to be the only party who is more
transparent than any other parties. But as i said before we need to push
MDP more for them to become more accountable, since it is they who will
be serving us in the future as it seems today.Let us not become slaves
of another regime, shall we?
Mukhthaar
Male, Maldives - Wednesday, June 30, 2004 at 01:32:30 (MDT)
Sappe is great! He is thousands of miles away but reports in such detail and so soon. The report was up within an hour or so with pictures. Does the guy ever sleep? Excellent work, this is the kind of reliability that we need and he is obviously not biased as he seems to publish all things by everybody. This is the spirit with which Haveeru and them should conduct their business and had that happened our country would not be sobbing today.
Keep up the good work Sappe and Bravo.. you are second to none..
seriously... do you sleep at all, do you not work? You must have a job,
don't you? This is amazing work. I cannot begin to tell you how much we
appreciate DO website. You have set a standard that has to be recognised
and we promise you that the day is not far.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Hassan
Male', Maldives - Wednesday, June 30, 2004 at 02:52:39 (MDT)
I think most Maldivian
women will support Gasim and Saadiq. Not because Gasim had 3/4 wives or
Saadiq had 3/4 Maldivian girl friends, but because they both still
continues to help them in their time of (economical) needs.
Perhaps it is going to be a long struggle before men will accept women
as equals in the Maldives.
Fathun
Suva, Fiji - Wednesday, June 30, 2004 at 00:10:08 (MDT)
I don't think any of
you guys are sympathetic for women in the Maldives. Gayyoom is no
different. Neither Saadiq nor Sappe' could find a Maldivian wife. We
have been sidelined ever since for one reason or another.
I just don't care how you want us to join and play this game, but unless
we are assured of full participation, we will remain on the other side
serving the men in the Maldives.
Sharmeela
Male, Maldives - Wednesday, June 30, 2004 at 00:03:40 (MDT)
Sappe, Can you PLEASE fax the statement given by the 16 yr old boy from Dh Badidhoo, who alleges he was raped by the island's Senior Chief (Bodu Katheeb), to the Human Rights Commission and the Police Station. I have a feeling the Island Office may have filed that statement instead of sending it to the authorities.
Justice for the 16 year
old.
Maldives - Tuesday, June 29, 2004 at 23:59:29 (MDT)
Sappe, thanks for covering the activities in Male'. You are doing a fantastic job. We are very grateful to you. For most of us whether it is MDP or MLD doesn't matter. We need a new government, new policies and a better future.
Seema
KL, Malaysia - Tuesday, June 29, 2004 at 23:54:12 (MDT)
I think we should leave
MLD to do their work according to their pace and rules which govern
their organization. Today Gayyoom is laughing at others, whereas he has
assigned his top brass to hunt down what MLD is doing within his regime
and in the islands. Several key cabinet ministers have openly complained
that their telephones are being tapped and other senior govt. officials
and military officials are using special gadgets to avoid such tapping.
MLD has offices/advisors and fund raisers in Male' and in some islands,
Australia, USA, Canada, Thailand, UAE, Malaysia, Pakistan, South Africa,
Spain and also now in India. They will have new offices in Belgium,
France and Italy and in Japan from July 26th. In order to raise funds
and obtain further political support, MLD will continue to reach to
other countries including Korea, Taiwan and Singapore in the days to
come.
MLD website is ready, but awaiting green light from Mr. Saadiq and other
key members in Male'. It is just a matter of minutes not days or months
to get it going.
MLD has the contacts and the resources to change the regime at short
notice, but one needs patience and a game plan to avoid chaos and
mayhem. They need a strong economic, domestic plan and an acceptable
foreign policy like the black South Africans who were oppressed for
decades. We should learn to bring peace and harmony not vengeance. We
should follow South Africans and other countries to start a new life
without taking revenge despite their past deeds. They need political,
economical and foreign policy advisors from different parts of the world
to ensure the change over is smooth, peaceful and without any bloodshed.
It is not prudent to rush into things or even to confront and discuss
these issues openly.
MLD is working hard to bring the freedom, democracy and prosperity to
the people of Maldives.
Jameel
Perth, Australia - Tuesday, June 29, 2004 at 23:43:29 (MDT)
To anybody who thinks that MDP is only focussing its projects centred around men,
You have to know that MDP operates as a party for the people by the people. MDP is also run under a constitution unlike other parties making it more transparent. MDP policies are made by its members. MDP membership is open to the public regardless of gender.
Now if women wants to join the party they can do so. If they want, they can join and then include their ideas in MDP policy as well. This is how democracy works. Now if the women folk wants a man to stand-up and talk of women's issues, that's ok too. But you have to say what you guys want. Then only will you get representation. This is the equality you have been wanting. Now take advantage of it.
Waiting for MLD to help is not going to work. They still haven't made membership to the public open. That means you are dependant on somebody who is "chosen by the elite" in MLD to help you guys. That is if he feels like it.
BE PRO-ACTIVE LADIES. TAKE YOUR DESTINY INTO YOUR OWN HANDS. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS. KNOW WHAT YOU ARE ENTITLED FOR. BE PART OF THE MOVEMENT!!!
A man defending women's rights
Male' Maldives - Tuesday, June 29, 2004 at 22:38:17 (MDT)
It is not a copy of the ANC Reconstruction plan. The similarities are there because of the similar situations we have in the two countries, although the obvious ones seems quite deferent. MLD's Development plan is quite unique in its relevance to Maldives much the same as ANC's plan for South Africa.
Maybe its the "same consultants" that did the report for Saadiq also did it for South Africa. After all there are some people are on this forum saying that supposedly Saadiq has a lot of money and has influence in the world because of a supposed affiliation with a Fortune 500 company or something or the other. So its completely plausible. What I don't get is that the question of plagiarism has been raised on a major calling card that Saadiq had. If he is quite serious about being a Maldivian leader, this is the most stupid move ever. Previously another writer who was writing in support of Saadiq's MLD was also caught plagiarising another article as well. This maybe something that could throw the MLD a few blows in public opinion, and would take sometime to recover from.
This also raises huge questions of legitimacy of MLD as an organisation. If MLD is serious about being a political party, firstly they should come out and claim that intention in public arena. As it seems they have as of today not done that. All we hear is "that there are a lot of members in higher organisations" that are members. We don't know who they are and what they are doing. This is not how you play politics to gain public support. I smell a sense of revenge more than a genuine need to help the public. This is where MDP excels and is gaining public support.
The other thing that really bugs me is that Saadiq refusal to make and MLD website that people can voice their concerns, make public statements, can publicly claim all responsibility to the actions of MLD members. Saadiq to this day is not directly reachable, while MDP is. Even MNC is way ahead of MLD because of these "little" details that MLD is refusing to address because they have "more important" things to do in secret. This is really fishy.
Speaking of fish. The Fisherman's Independent Party (FIB) should also should be another party that should make these things public. I request that all parties make public their rules of procedure like MDP so that the public knows how exactly the party conducts its activities. SO that we knows who is responsible to what. And when these positions of power are filled, these people should be held accountable for everything they so.
Saadiq should now make a statement regarding the allegation. If he comes clean he might still come out of this strong and still kicking.
Accountability is Important
Maldives - Tuesday, June 29, 2004 at 22:15:02 (MDT)
I believe that as soon as new amendments are made to the constitution in accordance with the liberal democratic manner, the present government must resign and the parliament (lower house) must be dissolved and an interim government should be established to run the country. The responsibility of this interim government should be to establish a legitimate government in accordance with democratic principles. I believe that enough is enough and Maumoon must resign as soon as the new constitution is amended.
Nathasa Ali
Suva, Fiji - Tuesday, June 29, 2004 at 21:05:28 (MDT)
It appears that the MLD
Development Program is a blatant plagiarism of the African National
Congress's Reconstruction and Development Programme. BAH! Are these the
type of people who we really want to take the reigns of our country. All
they can do is copy what others do? This is exactly what we don't
need....force ideas and beliefs copied and plagiarised from other
cultures and force it down our throats. MLD isn't getting my vote. Not
after this fake act and breach of trust. in case u want to know the ANC
RDP is available at
http://www.polity.org.za/html
Ahammadhu
Male, Maldives - Tuesday, June 29, 2004 at 20:51:00 (MDT)
I saw this on anti-MDP
site. Wanted to share with readers who never bothers to read what is
going on there.
I am glad some one is defending Gayyoom and his constitution. If that
was so perfect, why on earth Gayyoom comes just few years after it
became law and tell us we need another amendment. In fact a 180 degrees
about turn. The constitution is cleverly crafted to keep him in power.
The new amendments are going to be the same. The problem with him is he
thinks he is indispensable.
It is not Sappe' who talks that Hameed is homosexual. Ask his children
and his wife who walked out of the house when they saw his activities
from their own eyes and went to the neighbours and cried all day
refusing to return to Meenaaz. Please ask Sathaavaree Ali Fulhu's wife
(next door neighbour) what Aisha Fulu (Mrs. Hameed) told her.
In a country where we have hundreds of graduates, we still find
Gayyoom's cronies and Hameed's lovers in senior position. Ask yourself
why?
Yameen financed his family to buy drugs. It is universally known his
brother comes to his house and borrows money only to go out and buy
drugs and sell them to our children. How can we stop this? Many in the
Maldives have seen Gayyoom's son Faarish with drugs. His own brother was
arrested a dozen times for drug dealing. We the public is paying for his
daily trips to Funadhoo. It is public money. You want evidence???????
What type of facts are you looking for, and what is going to happen if
they are submitted to Gayyoom or his authorities. Poor Sappe' will be
murdered. Numerous people have written to Gayyoom about his brother's
homosexual activities. Gayyoom himself has made sarcastic remarks when
he gets notices to promote these "lovers" to higher positions.
Saleem
Perth, Australia - Tuesday, June 29, 2004 at 16:59:21 (MDT)
MDP is a bunch of men
who is only interested in their own ego. If you want to have a balanced
society, support Saadiq who has promised in his programs that women will
be part of his organization. His current support to women and their
children are on the only way to win the hearts and minds of the
Maldivians.
Saadiq's call to double the wages of teachers and nurses is the right
way to do it.
Aminath
Male, Maldives - Tuesday, June 29, 2004 at 16:34:02 (MDT)
I want my son to be
born at a hospital where his mother gets appropriate antenatal care. I
want the doctors and nurses who aid in his birth to be well trained,
competent, professional and caring people. I want him to receive the
best care during the stay in hospital. I want that hospital stay to be
affordable to me, not having to pay huge expenses for the delivery, cord
care, hospital bed for admission and medications for mother and child
(if needed). I want him to get proper primary immunisation which are
safe, effective, cheap and necessary for a country with disease spectrum
like our. I want all this for him not as a second class citizen, he
should be like every other kid, from a rich or poor, powerful or weak
family. I want him to enter this world a free and equal human being.
I want my son to go back to his parents home, which is owned by his
parents, where people live like humans, not like sardines in a can. I
want him to have decent clothing, not expensive but affordable for his
parents.
I want him to grow up, getting good nutrition, food that are rich in
nutrients to help his body and mind to grow to its potential. I want
this food to be freely available to his family at an affordable price
without his parent having to choose between the food and other
essentials of life. I want his food to be as good as that the rich and
powerful are giving to their children.
I want my son to gain entry to a well equipped, well constructed and
well staffed school where he gets the best start to his education. I
want that environment to be child friendly with child safety measures in
place. I want this school to be second to none, infact I want all
schools to be equally good to each other.
I want my son to be able to go to a good primary school then secondary
school, to get into which his parents don't have to pay a bribe. I want
him to be equally eligible for entry into the good schools as the
children of the rich and powerful. In fact I want all primary and
secondary schools to be equal in terms of facilities and staffing.
I want my son to be able to get into the higher secondary school as all
other kids in the country. I want his education to be paid for by the
government as is for all children in the country.
I want my son to get higher education, at government expence to study in
a field that he chooses without his parents having to bribe the
scholarship/selection committee members. I want him to be equally
eligible as would the children of the rich and powerful. In fact I want
all children to be equally eligible.
I want my son to be able to get a government job without him or his
parents having to bribe the ministerial staff. I want his job to give
him work appropriate for his education and training. I want him to use
his skills at work, and not waste his day sitting at a table looking for
work where it is not available. I want him to get a decent salary on
which he can support his parents and family and live a decent life. I
want his seniors at work to respect the work he does, encouraging him to
give his best for the country, harnessing his skills on the way. I want
his seniors and his bosses to not hold him down and ridicule him for the
sake of their jobs.
I want my son to be able to get married without having to bribe the "gazee"
to attend his "nikah" ceremony. I want the government to have a
provision to support newly married couples in attaining proper
accommodation that they could call their own, especially if their
parents couldn't afford one for them.
I want my son to be able to return home from his days work to find
appropriate utility bill, to pay for which he doesn't have to throw away
his full salary.
I want my son to be able to cast his vote for the public office
elections without having any pressure. I want him to be able to freely
associate himself with political movements of his choice should he
choose so. I want him to be able to participate in discussion regarding
the public services without having to make a trip to the NSS detention
centres. Infact I want there to be properly regulated police force with
modern and humane prison systems and not detention and torture chambers.
I want my son to be able to start saving money for his unborn child,
well before his conception. I want his wife to get better antenatal care
and services from the hospitals than his mother-in-law had got when she
was pregnant. I want my daughter-in-law to get paid full maternity leave
(of atleast 6 months) from the date of delivery and short working hours
during the pregnancy.
I want my grand child to get better medical care at birth and during
hospital stay than his/her father did. I want the full expenses of that
hospital stay and health care to be bourne by the government.
I want my daughter-in-law to be able to return to work to a work place
with appropriate support for a new mother. I want her to get space and
time to care for her young child at work should she choose so.
I want my son to be able to afford his growing family better than his
parents did.
I want my son to age into a healthy elderly citizen with care for his
health by a good health care system. I want him to be able to get the
best care for his ageing parents, with help from social networks working
to care for elderly citizens.
And when the time come, I want my son to be able to give his parents a
proper burial.
piggy bank
Male', Maldives - Tuesday, June 29, 2004 at 16:29:40 (MDT)
The pictures of this
historical gathering shows only men attended the meeting. It makes it
more than obvious that MDP is not attracting any women to support them.
This is the reason why Saadiq's plan to give guaranteed rights to women
will make Maldives a better place under a MLD led government. For 26
years we have seen a nomination of a single woman as a cabinet minister,
just to avoid criticism from the west.
Unless you bring the 50% of the population to be part of the ruling
circle, the nation is not going to improve. Gayyoom and now MDP have
failed the women of Maldives.
Saeeda
Male, Maldives - Tuesday, June 29, 2004 at 16:18:09 (MDT)
"And speak the truth.
Do not hesitate to say what you consider to be the truth. Say what you
feel. Let your conscience be your guide. Let your intentions be good,
for verily God is aware of your intentions. In your deeds your
intentions count. Fear God, and fear no one else. Why fear others when
you know that whatever sustenance ordained for you by God you will get
under all circumstances? And again why fear when you know that death is
ordained by God alone and will come only when He wills?" - Calipha Umar
For Truth
Paris, France - Tuesday, June 29, 2004 at 15:26:25 (MDT)
Before Dr. Shaugee was
given the post, he was told that Gayyoom expect 100% loyalty to him for
which he agreed. That was a precondition to hold the post.
Today Yameen calls and complaints to Dr. Shaugee about the schools in
Male' and Noonu Atoll and continue to influence the ministry and
undermine Dr. Shaugee's leadership. Yameen is mad to see that some
teachers in Noonu Atoll are openly supporting Saadiq and his party.
According to one of my former students who is a teacher in Noonu Atoll,
she was taken to the Atoll office and questioned her relationship with
MLD and why she is accepting funds from "terrorist organizations". The
ministry has warned island schools not to use funds from political
parties without their written authority.
Dr. Shaugee is another educated puppet.
A primary school principal
Male, Maldives - Tuesday, June 29, 2004 at 12:11:30 (MDT)
I have a feeling this Shaugee is losing it all, like Gayyoom. It's showing his incapability to handle people.
Mukhthaar
Male', Maldives - Tuesday, June 29, 2004 at 08:02:28 (MDT)
I think the splash song
on opening the index of DO is very welcoming indeed. Reminds me
of home and our rich Cultural roots, which have been obliterated by the
in-flood of Hindi and Western Culture.
However, there is some concern that people may require a silent start-up
on the screen if they are browsing the page from an Office or a Library.
Therefore would it be possible to install a feature enabling the users
to turn off the Music (preferably) before the page loads?
Once more, huzza for Sappé. I look forward to hear new traditional music
and songs. Keep up the good work. Your website has become the
overwhelming medium of Political Idealism and Social thought for many
Maldivians around the globe
Baburu-dhivehin
Bridgeford, UK - Tuesday, June 29, 2004 at 05:21:27 (MDT)
"Let there arise from amongst you a group(s) that calls to the good, enjoins the good and forbids the evil. They will be successful" [ 3:104]
John Doe
Bangalore, KA India - Tuesday, June 29, 2004 at 04:55:44 (MDT)
Dear all,
Fuahmulah, is in a very critical condition. Can see the result for all
the gangsters in the regime.
Haleem
Fuahmulah, GN. Maldives - Tuesday, June 29, 2004 at 03:21:26 (MDT)
There is no clause in the constitution or there is no law forbidding the NSS to vote in any election. The Deputy Defense Minister, or rather State Minister Anbaree is a Member of Parliament and votes in the House of Majlis. This is again an unconstitutional act practiced by Gayyoom. You should all demand your right and stop being his slaves, we the Maldivians respect and love you all at NSS and we want you to help get rid of this regime. Please arrest all the key figures in this regime, or just Gayyoom, Hameed and Yameen will do; there are many in Maldives in the government who are representatives of the oppositions and they will take charge immediately.
Also, maybe now is a good time for the reformists to come back to Maldives, with the attention from the world media on Maldives Gayyoom will not have the nerve to arrest anyone on any charge... those days are gone now...
Demand your rights where ever you are and whatever you do...
Sappe's site is very popular now and his association with MDP is much appreciated by us all. We want them all back home soon. Home safe! We will bring you all and defend you with our lives.
A Lawyer
Male, Maldives - Tuesday, June 29, 2004 at 03:01:30 (MDT)
I agree that we are
paying a lot for the water we use.
But I just wonder if that list has any other country that produces water
from salt water? I do expect the price of water in Male' to be higher
than those others shown in the list simply because "production" cost of
water in Male' is much higher than in those others (the majority of who
get river or lake water).
I agree with the argument that the amount is way too high a cost.
water prices
Male', Maldives - Tuesday, June 29, 2004 at 01:29:07 (MDT)
I recently overheard a conversation when Yameen told some of his executives at STO that he will never allow Ilyas to fill in the vacuum in case Gayyoom leaves the office. He believes Ilyas is encouraging Sappe' and Anni to discredit Hameed to force him out of office. According to Yameen, Hameed will never leave his post as Atolls minister even if Gayyoom leaves office. In other words even after he elects a prime minister. According to Yameen's version Ilyas is going to be more brutal than Gayyoom himself! It was Ilyas who tortured the people when he was in charge of Defense he concluded with a sarcastic smile.
Zahir
Male, Maldives - Monday, June 28, 2004 at 23:02:03 (MDT)
Just like to point out that Mr. Nasheed was not a University of Liverpool of alumni. He might have received his academic credentials from Liverpool John Moores University (formerly known as Liverpool Polytechnic).
Mohonu
UK - Monday, June 28, 2004 at 17:10:36 (MDT)
I wonder why the staff at
NSS are not allowed to vote in any elections. Could anyone tell me and
my friends why we are not allowed to participate in voting. There are
many who are not happy with this murderer in power. We are laughing how
he tries to get away from this. Like your cartoon every step of the
uprising was passed on to him, minute by minute.
I just want to tell you Saadiq, Anni, and Sappe, we are supporting you
and waiting for orders from Saadiq to turn this around.
Just let us know when you guys are ready.
NSS Officer
Male, Maldives - Monday, June 28, 2004 at 17:08:11 (MDT)
I am very impressed with the case document presented by MDP to the MPs and other organisations in the world to try and bring their attention to the problems in the Maldives. It is very clear from this that they have and are still working hard to bring justice to the Maldives and a better life for the people of Maldives. This is the kind of approach that is needed to convince the international community of the need for change in the Maldives. MDP deserves credit for this orderly approach. I am grateful to the works of MDP and wish them all well. We await to welcome you all to the Maldives as heroes of our nation.
MDP has made a difference and this is a clear indication of why Gayyoom
has been forced to introduce reforms.
Thaufeeq
Male', Maldives - Monday, June 28, 2004 at 16:26:29 (MDT)
Dear Editor,
Please put this on the Open Forum. This is what we are paying brothers and sisters for water the highest in world it seems or at least in this collection... just do a comparison. Why do we have to tolerate this kind of injustices.
Our country is crying out for change and together we can do it. We should all be ashamed of ourselves for not facing up to this tyranny and saving our people all this. Is this information incorrect? What can Gayyoom say about this?
http://www.unescap.org/huset/urban_poverty/poorpaymore.htm
THE POOR PAY MORE FOR WATER
COMPARISON OF THE COST OF WATER BOUGHT FROM
INFORMAL VENDORS WITH THE COST OF WATER SUPPLIED THROUGH HOUSE
CONNECTIONS
| City |
A Cost of Water for Domestic Use (House Connections - 10 m3/month) |
B Price charged by informal vendors |
Ratio B/A |
| US$/m3 | (US$/m3) | ||
| Vientiane | 0.11 | 14.68 | 135.92 |
| Male* | 5.70 | 14.44 | 2.53 |
| Mandalay | 0.81 | 11.33 | 14.00 |
| Faisalabad | 0.11 | 7.38 | 68.33 |
| Bandung | 0.12 | 6.05 | 50.00 |
| Delhi* | 0.01 | 4.89 | 489.00 |
| Manila | 0.11 | 4.74 | 42.32 |
| Cebu | 0.33 | 4.17 | 12.75 |
| Davao* | 0.19 | 3.79 | 19.95 |
| Chonburi* | 0.25 | 2.43 | 9.57 |
| Phnom Penh | 0.09 | 1.64 | 18.02 |
| Bangkok* | 0.16 | 1.62 | 10.00 |
| Ulaanbaatar | 0.04 | 1.51 | 35.12 |
| Hanoi | 0.11 | 1.44 | 13.33 |
| Mumbai* | 0.03 | 1.12 | 40.00 |
| Ho Chi Minh | 0.12 | 1.08 | 9.23 |
| Chiangmai* | 0.15 | 1.01 | 6.64 |
| Karachi | 0.14 | 0.81 | 5.74 |
| Lae* | 0.29 | 0.54 | 1.85 |
| Chittagong* | 0.09 | 0.50 | 5.68 |
| Dhaka | 0.08 | 0.42 | 5.12 |
| Jakarta | 0.16 | 0.31 | 1.97 |
| Colombo* | 0.02 | 0.10 | 4.35 |
| * Some water vending but not common. | |||
| Source: Second Water Utilities Data Book Asian and Pacific Region, Asian Development Bank, October 1997. (tables 11 and 18). | |||
| (Compiled by C. Ertuna, Chief, Population and Rural and Urban Development Division, ESCAP) | |||
A Maldivian
Submitted by email on 28 June 2004
Its obvious that
Mohamed Haikal has given a lot of thought about our constitution in his
Dhivehi article. I praise the constitutional ideas presented by him in
general. Although the issue he highlights is whether its possible for a
woman to lead a country or not as one of his highest concerns, If
there is a "bahus" for that, I am afraid we have to wait for another 26
or more years to see the "amended" constitution.
Mukthaar
Male, Maldives - Monday, June 28, 2004 at 14:16:47 (MDT)
We need someone to send us some songs. "Baagee lava" so we could recite them or record them. Let our children learn some of them. I think that's what we need now. Guys be creative!
Haadee
Feydhoo, Seenu Maldives - Monday, June 28, 2004 at 11:36:36 (MDT)
Sappe
great job ' Yaa Maru habaaaa, ya maru habaaaaaaaaa
We give you the medal of " MALDIVES K.C.M.G"
Mohamed
Male, Maldives - Monday, June 28, 2004 at 10:55:13 (MDT)
Thanks for Sappe and
Saadiq. The islanders are collecting money to buy another computer to get
messages from MLD party. We can send about 5 dhonies to Male anytime
full of people. Even Madduveri will send 3/4 dhonies with people.
I think people from Mulaku can pick up people from Vaavu too. Just let
us know when we have to go there.
Matheen
Dhiggaru, Meemu Maldives - Monday, June 28, 2004 at 10:39:41 (MDT)
It is surprising that
you all still cannot find a common ground to oust this guy out of
office. We have not reached a stage where we can ask our representatives
to stand for us and to confront this regime. These are dangerous people
who have no sympathy to anyone.
Please follow MLD and let the people hate this regime, so everyone will
do his/her part when the time comes to bell the cat. We are getting
closer for the biggest surprise in the country's history.
Julie
Male, Maldives - Monday, June 28, 2004 at 10:04:10 (MDT)
This is an interesting
article I came up on while surfing the net.
It's titled "THE CORRUPTION OF DEMOCRACY".
http://www.theage.com.au
Prince
Wellington, New Zealand - Monday, June 28, 2004 at 09:49:07 (MDT)
From Evening weekly:
There are many people, especially among elite members in our society,
including people at various senior government posts, who would like a
chance to express their thoughts freely. But they chose to remain
silent, either for fear of jeopardizing their career or run head-on with
the authorities. Some among these people even go as far as telling that
choosing a career in journalism in the Maldives is more like walking
through a minefield -- there is a danger at every step you take!
All those in the senior government posts are not only real cowards but
also hypocrites too. Why not fight for what you really believe in? Or do
these silent elites members in our society doesn't care? I wonder why
they remain to keep silent? Is silence the best way to show that they
care? What career do these people in senior government posts have, if
they are acting against what they believe in? What do we call these
people? What do they gain, by keeping silent, other than saving their
skin from NSS?
NAAJAA IZ FAIDHAA DHO?
Mukhthaar
Male, Maldives - Monday, June 28, 2004 at 08:55:42 (MDT)
It is impossible to
remain as an MP and vote for anyone else other than Gayyoom. Unless party
systems are established, developed and authorized this is not going to
happen. Before the vote, members are asked individually about their
votes and whether some of you like it or not this is how this system
works. If you say you are not going to vote, you will loose your job,
NSS will raid your house find something wrong with you or one in your
family arrest them and ruin your whole life.
If some of you can stay in the luxury of democratic countries in the
West and tell us here in the Maldives, please stand up in the parliament
or even in front of our Rashu Office you are just making us laugh. If
you want many of us to do that, you must provide funds and secure our
families, if and when we do that. Please don't expect us to put our
lives on the edge, while you only write what is best for "you" from
10,000 miles away.
Political parties are not the solution to bring Gayyoom down. It is a
good beginning. It is not going to work and that is why Gayyoom decided
to allow them. This will allow his to reduce his NSS budget and spy on
others to find out who is supporting whom. He is going to be hard on
those people and in a country where you need a permit a license or
connection to do anything. This is going to make his life easier. Today
he is confused and he spying on his staff, cabinet ministers, military
and other civil servants as every action is leaked to Saadiq through his
buddies.
He is never going to allow political parties to operate even close to a
system that you are seeing in the countries where many of you are
living. This is going to be a club like system and everything will still
remain under permit, license and coupon systems.
Please don't push us to pressure Gayyoom to allow political parties,
(this will come in to light at his convenience) instead encourage us to
get rid of these higher utility bills, medical cost, diesel price and
transport costs. Help us to find a way where we can change this brutal
regime, not through political parties, but by any other means. So long
as these Kaamineege & Endherimaage cronies are around they are not
going to leave their perks and give this country back to its people. It
is going to be a struggle and it is not going to be easy.
Gayyoom has never heard of the word shame. Even if all of you find
Hussain Maniku Don Maniku in Hameed's trousers, or NSS torturing people,
or Gayyoom having an affair with a maid in the Palace, or Fathulla Jameel
drunk on the roadside, Yameen taking money from STO, he is not going to
take any action. For them this is normal and acceptable in Islam, our
constitution and under the rules they govern.
I find it disturbing when I see comments like, he or she did not stand
up for us but voted for Gayyoom. If you really do stand up, the
consequences are enormous. Veteran politicians like Anni and political
leaders like Saadiq knows what it is like behind bars. They really
humiliate you and make you feel like nothing. I have been through this
so I know what it is like for them.
I am not a supporter of Anni, but I admire him for what little he has
done. It was a good beginning.
I support Saadiq to break this regime from within and make Gayyoom's next
trip abroad his last. We need to find another alternative to bring this
regime down instead of waiting for political parties to work. It is
going to be ages to get this working and by then our coffers will be
empty and for generations we have to pay the debts of Gayyoom and his
cronies.
Fayaaz
Naifaru, LH Maldives - Monday, June 28, 2004 at 08:43:42 (MDT)
Sappe, why would you put that god awful song on this website? It's really annoying! Please remove it!
Zeenath
UK - Monday, June 28, 2004 at 06:39:23 (MDT)
I have been reading the article by Umar Zahir about Mr Zakariyya Hameed the Faafu Atoll chief. http://www.maldivesculture.com/maldives_island_life01.html I really felt sick at reading this article and what was happening in Faafu and Mr Hameed's gross misuse of power and his horrible vindictiveness against the people of Magoodhoo Island. The article was published end of October 2002.
If you are from Maghoodhoo or Faafu atoll and have any information to what has been happening in the last two years regarding Maghoodhoo island and Mr Hameed then please can you let me know. I know that Zakariyya Hameed and Gayyoom are very close confidantes. Just how close - do you know? Mr Zahir - if you are able to contact by email then please contact me at hotmirus@hotmail.com.
The bullies will be brought to justice soon. I just hope that they are aware just how soon that might be.
Hotmirus submitted by email on 28th June 2004
I question Mr. Nasheed's logic in asking the Naifaru
Youth to assist their MP on putting pressure to register the MDP.
Acknowledging the unruly state of Political affairs, I concede that the
grave impediments to operating the duties of a MP independently can be
partially overcome (if not wholly) by greater political bargaining via
an apparatus of a Political Party. However, to claim that MPs registered
with MDP (discreetly and otherwise) are totally incapable of carrying
out their duties and representing their constituents is wholly
unfounded.
It is not difficult to infer from Mr. Nasheed's statement that the
immediate concern of the MDP is to register the party. While I support
political party system, I cannot agree with Mr. Nasheed that
registration of the MDP is the one-stop, pill-popping solution to the
problems faced by the people of Naifaru. If Mr. Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's
claim for reform is authentic, he should visit Naifaru (or the
constituents might arrange to officially meet him) and talk to the
people of Naifaru in public forums and conventions. Then he should
convene in the Majlis and request the opportunity to present his case to
the members of parliament. As for his personal safety, I doubt that
arbitrary arrest is no longer a convenience that Gayyoom can afford.
Perhaps there maybe other limitations to the extent which reformist MPs
can gather opinion and policy from his constituents. But I refuse to
believe that the only way to help ourselves through reformist-MPs is by
getting the MDP registered
Aflaathoon
Okiwa Siarrus, Kiribati Islands - Monday, June 28, 2004 at 01:50:04
(MDT)
I
believe that internet is the medium that has enabled us all to spread
the word, pass on our thoughts and hold discussions without the limits
and restrictions that were and sill are imposed on us all. The internet
gave us the media and the coverage to spread the word fast, efficient
and cheap.
Unfortunately, this is a fact that whoever is trying to stop this
freedom of thought and speech, is well aware of. Sites have been
blocked, are being blocked and will be in the future too. Websites have
been blocked by the Maldivian ISP's using a variety of methods.
However, these restrictions can be overridden and bypassed easily.
Hence, I wish to enlighten everyone by sharing this article which I
stumbled on the net while attempting to write an article on the same
subject of anonymous and free access to information on the net. The
article "HOW TO bypass Internet Censorship" at "http://www.zensur.freerk.com/"
has detailed and quite a comprehensive coverage of various methods of
overriding internet censorship and maintaining an adequate level of
anonymity on the internet.
Also, as many of you maybe already aware of, using a different proxy to
that of Dhiraagu, while in Maldives can free you of the restrictions on
websites imposed by Dhiraagu. Atomintersoft at
http://www.atomintersoft.com
So while the lot of you continue to spread the information and publish
articles, publish this information that may help all to access that
information. :)
Bye bye to Internet Censorship in Maldives.
Anonymity <m-anon@dodgeit.com>
Korea - Sunday, June 27, 2004 at
22:28:45 (MDT)
Comrades, Please keep up the pressure. Please write to Hon Dr Shougee,
respectfully requesting him to remove Major General Adam Zahir from the
post of Chairperson of Majeedhiyaa School Board. Hon. Minister's email
is:
shougee@thauleem.net
Please tell the Hon. Minister that you do not want to see the head of
our prisons and police to be associated with a prestigious school like
Majeedhiyaa. PLEASE WRITE AN EMAIL TO HON. DR SHOUGEE.
Rayithu
Muhammadhu
Maldives - Sunday, June 27, 2004 at 23:46:04 (MDT)
I don't see any difference between Ibrahim Mohamed Solih MP, Kaamineepool Shakoor MP, Sheikh Ibrahim Zakariyya MP, and Hussain Maniku Dhon Maniku MP. They are all working for the government. When did any one of these MP's ever raised their concerns in the parliament in the interest of the public - on our behalf. Never.
Fazna
CMB, Sri Lanka - Sunday, June 27, 2004 at 23:32:37 (MDT)
Ibrahim Mohamed Solih voted for Maumoon in all the elections and through out his parliamentary life. He maybe married to one of Anni's relatives and may project a supportive image for the MDP secretly. But deep inside he is a hard core Gayyoom supporter. That's what he has been doing in the parliament. He has never raised any questions in the parliament AT ANY TIME about the torture and death of Eevan, government corruption, abuse of executive power or inhumane treatment of prisoners by the police. And I bet Solih will back the government candidates in the upcoming Special Majlis elections for its Speaker and Deputy Speaker. Why do you have to back him Anni? Solih is not one of us. Not anymore. I doubt he ever was.
Moosa
Jaleel
Maldives - Sunday, June 27, 2004 at 23:28:45 (MDT)
We have just received our first computer but our Katheeb wouldn't let us use it saying we need approval from Atolls Ministry to use the Internet. We recently distributed some papers in Male' during our last visit there and one of Saadiq's party members has donated us this computer. Once we get this sorted, we will send you news from Dhaal Atoll.
Naeem
Kudahuvadhoo, Dhaal Maldives - Sunday, June 27, 2004 at 22:31:58 (MDT)
Hello Naifaru Youth,
Yes I am sure MDP can help you and the people of Naifaru, as they can to
all the people of the Maldives. Your MP, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih is a
member of MDP but he and many like him has been unable to help their
constituents as the party remains banned in the Maldives. We hope the
Youth of Naifaru will assist your MP to pressure the government to
register the party.
Thank you and best regards
Mohamed Nasheed (Anni)
Maldives - Sunday, June 27, 2004 at 20:37:48 (MDT)
I
would appreciate if readers in Male', let us know when any minister or
senior level cronies leaves Maldives. We can inform the embassies and
journalists of the country and let them know, that we don't approve of
their visit and to bring them to public attention.
I think this is a good way to start with. We have notified Australian
newspapers and the government of a possible visit by Sheereen. Keep us
informed and we will do our part to bring them to the attention of their
host countries.
Faaris
Melbourne, Australia - Sunday, June 27, 2004 at 09:42:35 (MDT)
'WHEN
TORTURERS CAN'T HIDE, THE TORTURE STOPS'
Torture always thrives where it cannot be seen.
That's why one of the most effective ways to prevent torture and to
improve conditions is to ensure that police stations and prisons receive
regular and unannounced inspections by international monitors.
The best way of ensuring these inspections take place is by making sure
that every country in the world signs up to the Optional Protocol to the
UN Convention against Torture.
Many states have signed; many others have not.
-Amnesty International.
Zameer
Male', Maldives - Sunday, June 27, 2004 at 07:46:19 (MDT)
Deputy Minister Sheereen, Huvadhu Atoll MP, is leaving Male' to Canberra tonight. It would be very good if some journalists can go after her and ask few questions about Gayyoom dictatorship but first we need to confirm this, can anyone help out with any additional information. I think it would be a great idea to expose these people to the world media, they must not all be pressured, all those in high profile posts in the government. Please publish information here and our network is large so we can arrange journalists to go after her and get some information from her about Gayyoom and her role in the government.
Adam
Fulhu
Male', Maldives - Sunday, June 27, 2004 at 05:30:43 (MDT)
Regarding the "Dhah fai" news letter from Lhaviyani atoll.
In that cartoon in the newsletter, The character representing the
president looks a lot like John Howard, PM of Australia. Is that cartoon
one of your own? or is it borrowed from another magazine or website?
Cartoon
Perth, Australia - Sunday, June 27, 2004 at 03:50:34 (MDT)
Today
Maumoon is a person in his own prison. He is confined to his Palace,
Office and Aarah always surrounded by his body guards. He is scared like
hell to leave the country as it is going to be his last trip out of
Maldives.
Unless he wants to loose his throne, he is going to remain in Maldives.
So many people are watching every footstep he makes. Every airline is
being asked daily about any possible trip of Gayyoom.
I never believed when a reader who wrote that his days are numbered.
With growing support of the opposition groups and their activities in
the highest level of this government, I agree, you won't believe, it's
just around the corner.
We are at the dawn of a new regime.
Razzak
Male, Maldives - Sunday, June 27, 2004 at 00:24:34 (MDT)
Today
Maumoon is a person in his own prison. He is confined to his Palace,
Office and Aarah always surrounded by his body guards. He is scared like
hell to leave the country as it is going to be his last trip out of
Maldives.
Unless he wants to loose his throne, he is going to remain in Maldives.
So many people are watching every footstep he makes. Every airline is
being asked daily about any possible trip of Gayoom.
I never believed when a reader who wrote that his days are numbered.
With growing support of the opposition groups and their activities in
the highest level of this government, I agree, you won't believe, it's
just around the corner.
We are at the dawn of a new regime.
Razzak
Male, Maldives - Sunday, June 27, 2004 at 00:24:34 (MDT)
We
are starting a news letter from Thaa Atoll too and will send you copies.
Currently we are just learning how to use the computer and read your
articles. The cartoons are very popular. We support you and Saadiq's
work.
Jameel
Vilifushi, THaa Maldives - Saturday, June 26, 2004 at 23:44:23 (MDT)
All this time, I was under the impression that Anti-MDP
was a group of individuals who hated what MDP stands for, or perhaps not
happy with some of their members.
MDP was not formed for the elite; it is for the common man, youth and
the people from the islands who are disfranchised from the political
environment. However, I only see couple of individuals confronting an
MLD supporter. I guess these guys are sick to defend Gayyoom may be who
knows Gayyoom paid for their "milk" since day one.
What is this Anti MDP?
Raamiza
Colombo, Sri Lanka - Saturday, June 26, 2004 at 23:02:25 (MDT)
26 June is the United Nations International Day in
Support of Victims of Torture. Why hasn't Gayyoom given it the
recognition it deserves? It would have been fitting to invoke the grace
and blessings of the Almighty Allah in recognition of the victims of
torture in the jails of Maldives. Why ignore this very relevant and
important event? In ignoring it, Gayyoom appears callous and insensitive
towards the deaths of the Maafushi inmates and all other victims of
torture, living and dead, in the Maldives.
Latheefa
Male, Maldives - Saturday, June 26, 2004 at 14:43:56 (MDT)
The
drugs will disappear as soon as Gayyoom leaves office. We never had
drugs before him and it will go with him as well. He is our biggest "wabaa".
We have stopped praying for a drug free country, instead we are praying
from a Gayyoom free country.
My fellow countrymen and women, please wake up and don't let this guy
take us for another ride of constitutional reform. He is not going to
leave this post instead he is trying making him the ultimate strongman
and bring his relatives as prime ministers one by one.
Support Saadiq or Sappe' or anyone else and bring this guy out of "our"
palace.
Faathi
Suva, Fiji - Saturday, June 26, 2004 at 18:48:32 (MDT)
Dear
DO
I think it is very irresponsible to publicly publish umairs statement on
the internet with his real name on it. I think you guys should have
taken the decent responsibilty to cross off his real name. I would
appreciate if you guys could take off his name immediately.
thanks
eye <eye@eye.com>
eye, Maldives - Saturday, June 26, 2004 at 14:35:43
(MDT)
The time has come for the people to have another uprising. If children like Jennifer could stand up to the dictator, I think we should find more to peacefully protest, join civil disobedience and to remind the tourists and other expatriates that life is going to be miserable. We need more resources from opposition groups to get the people to move. We need some NSS officers to give a go ahead to bring this regime down. We must bring fear to the homes of the cronies, and to give the youth a chance to participate in the development of our country.
Wajeeh
KL, Malaysia - Saturday, June 26, 2004 at 13:44:41 (MDT)
The only way to get rid of drugs is to get rid of Gayyoom first. So long as he is around, we will have drugs. If you cannot clean up the house, how can you clean up a country. He is not fit anymore to lead us.
Fawaad
Male, Maldives - Saturday, June 26, 2004 at 10:38:53 (MDT)
It appears you cannot get any reasonable government job
unless you are a Gayyoom family member or you are homosexual. What is
going wrong in this country?
For heaven's sake, Gayyoom leave us alone. You are not indispensable. We
have enough Maldivians who are willing to sacrifice their lives and use
their talents to bring this country to the forefront of the world.
Why do we have to live like this and believe that you will bring the
reforms? These reforms will only make you stay there until eternity
under one excuse or another. Please take the last penny we have and go.
We can start from scratch and still bring back our country to where it
belongs.
Latheefa
Male, Maldives - Saturday, June 26, 2004 at 10:36:11 (MDT)
I guess Gayyoom has done all what is possible (within his ability) to stop the drug abuse in the country. Now the only thing left is "prayers". He has stopped praying for this as he needs the youth to concentrate on drugs, as he is unable to find them jobs and to give them proper education. Now he wants others to pray for him.
Haafiz
Male, Maldives - Saturday, June 26, 2004 at 09:58:01 (MDT)
I think the identity of the 16 year old boy (who was abused by this Katheeb) shouldn't be made public.
Mukahthaar
Male', Maldives - Saturday, June 26, 2004 at 09:27:58 (MDT)
http://www.southasianmedia.net
Have a look at this.
South
Asian
Islamabad, Pakistan - Saturday, June 26, 2004 at 09:02:03 (MDT)
Can anybody else independently verify Fauzee's situation?
Truth
Maldives - Saturday, June 26, 2004 at 06:58:28 (MDT)
RE: IBRAHIM FAUZEE
Thank you for clarifying the status of Ibrahim Fauzee, which is to date
not clarified by Maldivian government to the media.
Democrat
Lanka, Maldives - Saturday, June 26, 2004 at 06:55:39 (MDT)
"The President, who today led the Friday Prayers at the
Masjid-u-Sultan Mohamed Thakurufaanu al-Auzam, read the supplication at
that mosque.
In the supplication, the grace and the blessings of the Almighty Allah
were invoked by the President for national peace and prosperity and to
safeguard the people from all dangers, in particular to safeguard the
younger generations from the drugs menace, which was clouding their
future. " = Min of Info. Arts and Culture =
Mr. Gayyoom why don't you just go and arrest
all these drug suppliers in the country including your own brother, your
friends, high level government officials. This is the only thing we are
asking from you, we don't' need you to lead us to pray. We pray everyday
for this, we have asked this from you several times, yet you continue to
give a deaf ear to us!
It is just ridiculous for you to lead a prayer like this when you are
the one who is responsible for this. I really hope you read this one
day. Don't' try to fool us again.
Iujaz
Makunudhoo, K Maldives - Saturday, June 26, 2004 at 03:02:54 (MDT)
For everyone to read including "Latheef".
Thank you for raising the issue here.
The Maldivian at Guantanamo bay is Ibrahim Fauzee. I know him
personally. I studied with him at Jamia Salafiyya (an Islamic University
in Faisalabad, Pakistan). [Jamia= University. So University of Salafiyya.]
Jamia Salafiya is the University from which notable people like Mr
Farooq (sheikh Farooq in the Maldives) did his Islamic studies
initially. However, the University is not accepted any longer as a
"Maldivian government approved" centre for Islamic studies. It is
impossible to get a visa from the Pakistani High Commission in Male' for
studies at this university. They have openly said that this is because
the Maldivian government does not want Maldivian to go there. This maybe
one reason why the government is unwilling to try to get him back from
Guantanamo bay.
Anyway, Fauzee was studying at Salafiyya and during that time we shared
rooms and meals on a daily basis. I found him to be a very good human
being and an excellent Muslim. He is very kind-hearted, soft spoken and
a strong believer of fair practices. He was infact the most likable
Maldivian student there because of his behaviour and good manners. He
was at one time the president of MSAP (Maldivian Students Association of
Pakistan) which had at one time received funds from the Maldivian
president himself for its activities. But Gayyoom's fear of loosing hold
in Maldives on his proclaimed Islamic platform was under threat if these
young Islamic scholars returned home to question his religious
doctrines. So the change of hearts.
Fauzee was NOT an extremist or fundamentalist. He is NOT a terrorist.
He had never taken part in any military activity during his stay in
Faisalabad. ( Apparently the Maldivian government fears that ALL student
at this university undergo military training for Jihad. It is not true.
It is true that any person in Pakistan can undergo military training for
Jihad should he choose so. It has nothing to do with the institute or
university). Since the university had many Afghan students with family
and personal links with Taliban, some of them left to Afghanistan to
help defend their country from "foreign aggression by US". It is also
important to note that most Afghanis in Pakistan at that time returned
to Afghanistan regardless of where or what they were studying. Fauzee
didn't take any part in these activities. Instead he had gone to study
at another university in Karachi during this period because of his need
to study in an Arabic medium university to improve his chances of being
able to get a scholarship to study in Saudi Arabia. (The Islamic
University in Medina is now a Maldivian government accepted institute
for Islamic studies).
In Karachi, he had been at his Usthaaz's house (where many students go
to study and clarify problems in their studies). Some of the students
would even stay at Usthaaz's houses at low rent to save huge expenses.
He was unfortunate that that that was the day a joint US and Pakistani
secret service operation had planned to raid the house looking for
Taliban and pro-Taliban people.
He was "captured" that day along with everyone else in that house that
day and initially taken to an unknown location in Pakistan and then to
Afghanistan later to be transferred to Guantanamo Bay center.
His family in Male' came to know about this from other Maldivian student
in Karachi. His family had informed the required Maldivian authorities
that time and had requested to look into the matter.
Not even empty promises were given to the family (not that it would have
helped to get Fauzee back). The government must have felt relieved that
Fauzee is just one less Maldivian to return to Maldives to question the
religious practices of the government.
His family had not given up, they had contact with the International Red
Cross (with whom the Maldivian government could not make contact) and
had received reliable news that he was alive, and well at Guantanamo
bay. They acted as a correspondence between Fauzee and his family
atleast on one occasion. The family was told that he was being treated
"well" and that he might be released soon.
The action now by the Maldivian government to secure Fauzees' release is
a farce. He would have been released earlier had the government tried
earlier. Now, when by other means the government has come to know that
he could be released any day, they want to take the credit for it by
getting media attention.
Fauzee is an innocent young man. He had definitely not taken part in any
activity against the US and had not taken part in the war in Afghanistan
and is not a member of Al-Qaeda. He was an innocent man, unfortunate to
be present at the wrong place at the wrong time.