Head of the Virgin empire, multi-billionaire Sir Richard Branson, has called on President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan to “do the right thing” and hold free and fair elections before the end of the year.
In an open letter to Dr Waheed, addressed to the “interim” President, Branson recollected his recent meeting with the former Vice President, who he said had told him about about the need for a truth and reconcilliation commission “to examine past misdeeds and the people who perpetuated them”.
It was, Branson wrote to Dr Waheed, “completely astounding that you have been part of an overthrow of a democratically elected government that has effectively let the old regime back into power.”
“Knowing you, I would assume that you were given no choice and that it was through threats that you have ended up in this position,” Branson said. “I do very much hope that was the case rather than you doing it of your own free will.”
Branson attended the Slow Life Symposium at the upmarket Soneva Fushi resort in October 2011.
The three day event brought together big names in business, climate science, film and renewable energy to come up with ways to address climate change.
Other attendees included actress Daryl Hannah, star of films including ‘Blade Runner’, ‘Kill Bill’ and ‘Splash’; Ed Norton, star of films including ‘Fight Club’ and ‘American History X’; Tim Smit, founder of the Eden Project; then President Mohamed Nasheed; and an array of climate experts and scientists including Mark Lynas and Mike Mason.
Branson’s letter follows the Commonwealth’s temporary suspension of the Maldives from its democracy and human rights arm – the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) – and its call for President Waheed and former President Nasheed “to commence an immediate dialogue, without preconditions, to agree on a date for early elections, which should take place within this calendar year.”
Sir Richard Branson’s open letter to Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik, “interim President of the Maldives”:
Dear Mr Waheed
It was a real pleasure meeting you and your delightful wife when I was last in the Maldives. At that time there was a democratically elected government in the Maldives, after many years where that certainly wasn’t the case and where opposition members languished in prison and were even subjected to torture.
You personally said to me that the Maldives needed a truth and reconciliation commission to examine the past misdeeds and the people who perpetuated them, and asked if I would speak with The Elders to see whether they would set one up.
Therefore, forgive me for finding it completely astounding that you have been part of an overthrow of a democratically elected government that has effectively let the old regime back into power. From knowing you, I would assume that you were given no choice and that it was through threats that you have ended up in this position.
Anyway, I do very much hope that was the case rather than you doing it of your own free will. With the world moving towards democracies, how dreadful it is to see the beautiful Maldives moving in the opposite direction.
As interim President, you are in a position to do the right thing. We beg you to make sure that there are fair and free elections held this year, as the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group have called for. I look forward to renewing our friendship after those elections.
Richard Branson. Founder of Virgin Group
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Oh my my...we are shaking from the spine Mr Branson...Get your F hands off from Maldives...who the hell are you man? get lost inside a virgin
We don't need to do what the infidels ask us to do. I hope my fellow Muslim Maldivian brothers and sisters pay no attention to this man.
yes right thing is have an election in 2013 and out Nasheed in prison for he had done to this country in the last three years.
Nasheed should be question on GMR issue too. Branson, you have no rights to make a session on behalf of Malivians and you keep your filthy moony and do promote you religion .
Branson is a heavy weight businessman and globally recognised. He is not to be ignored.
@ K. Sattar & mode
Sieg Heil! Good old racism always works, did wonders for the Germans too, keep it up!
WOW - the religious goons are back at it again. Under these people, maldivians will continue to eat the "bread the devil kneads'.
@Sheikh Imran Abdullah
you love to talk about the "infidels" when they support your words!! but now you sing a different tune, you are the biggest hypocrite in the Maldives. you lie about being a true muslims. you try to divide people and create hatred among our society. you are solely to be blamed for the destruction of our museum! your a bad man.to hell with you!!
Please, stop spreading hate.
Who on Earth is Richard Branson to tell us what to do and what not to do?
He will come to Maldiveas as many times as he can regardless of what Dr Waheed does.
He may be pleasing Anni now, but he is also smart enough to not displease Dr Waheed.
Ignore Richard Branson for he is a Kafir. Listen to our Sheikhs. The Maldives shall stop the resort business and live happily without money from haraam liquor.
This guy could buy this country 10 times over. better listen to him.
If a person like Branson can be fooled by Nasheed think of the simple Maldivian islanders!Branson you are just wasting your time and money with dat guy!(as most Maldivians did realise in 3 years of his rule).He dsnt seem to remmber what he told a few minutes back!even if u do have an agenda in the Maldives, my personal advice is next time chose a sane person to head it.Nasheed is either crazy or the modern version of Tortuous Convolvulus(see Asterix and the Roman Agent)! Despite all the hiccups along the way, this sure is proving again to be the land of the indomitable Maldivians!
Mr. Branson
Pls don't interfere with our internal problems. we will solve it internally. In the meantime focus on your own project of taking passengers to space.
Who on earth is Richard Branson!. Check how many tourists Virgin Holidays sends to Maldives? Check who is globally and if people listen to him?
Dear Mr Branson,
It is so unfortunate that we have not met when you were in the Maldives. I heard that you came here soon after our first democratically elected government was sworn in, after many years where that certainly wasn’t the case and where opposition members languished in prison and were even subjected to torture.
Maldives, of course, needs a truth and reconciliation commission to examine the past misdeeds and the people who perpetuated them. I wonder what role a foreigner like you could play in asking The Elders to see whether they would set one up.
Forgive me for finding it completely astounding that a smart person like you have been completely misled into believing that Dr Waheed's government is an illegitimate governemnt.
Nasheed's democratically elected government was not overthrown. But Nasheed fell victim to his own arrogance and had to resign from his position as the President of Maldives as a result of his stupidity.
This whole saga, as you say, might appear as if it has effectively let the old regime back into power. But that is yet to be seen and people like me are suspiciously waiting.
Anyway, I do very much hope that you will examine the facts yourself and find out the truth. How dreadful it is to see that it is so easy to fool a person of your calibre.
As Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group has said, there is no room to believe that Dr Waheed's government is sworn in after a coup. Hence, I believe there is no need to ammend our constitution to facilitate fresh elections.
Last but not the least, I beg you not to interfere in our internal matters.
I look forward to meet you after you find out the truth following which I am confident you will accept Dr Waheed's government willingly.
Rafiqul Alam
Yet to be the Founder of Any Group
The support nasheed is getting from the outside world is becuase of his crtisism to his own religion , that is the reason why all these people are behind him .whats is the big deal guys ? we have always remain as peaceful muslims ,we dont support binladen and other similar islamic militant groups ,the guys who had the idea of performing jihad has clam down now ,that is the hard work of dr sheik majeed shek imran sheik shaheem , leave us alone richard , the way you have tried to devalue dr whaeed in ur letter is visible . and shows your creibility . so i would say mind ur own business and have a nice stay in maldives
The hatred, racism and the isolation is the road to self destruction. I am embarrassed to be a Maldivian sometimes.
Branson was compassionate, reasoned and correct in his tone. We can not invite the whole world here to have vacations and then live in caves on the local islands.
This old dictatorship is back and the rest of the world is watching us self destruct now.
Mr Branson, Mr Branson, why don't you set off your space-ship that carries tourists to the moon from MDP Haruge? This way you can increase the popularity of MDP and I think many would-be space tourists from Maldives will join MDP.
Better still, if you can do this from the roof of Nasheed's house, he will surely win the next elections. In case his roof is no good for such a mission, I am sure he can fix it. I have seen pictures of him fixing his roof even before.
Richard Banson's comments does not help MDP because such statements only confirms the suspicions Maldives have about MDP that it is sponsored by foreigners.
BTW, according to Sheikh Shaheem, MDP can come again to power only when a camel passes through a the whole of a needle..
yes indeed!
why would branson or any other kafir mind if you guys want to be the next somalia or afganistan.
why would they worry if your children become mindless slaves and never get to have a normal life again.
it is so easy for the kafirs to ignore you.
it is not as if the world or the bransons are dependent on maldives.
but then, even if it is only a movie one is watching, one would want to say something when something terrible is happening.
it is up to you maldivians with a little brain and a little courage, to open your eyes, see the truth, and do what is right, right now, before you self destruct.
Thanks Mr Branson for your words.
And Dr Waheed to quote from Russel Peters "Be a man, do the right thing"
Sir Branson should put his money where his mouth is.
yes i always cry when i see a movie....
a movie where a beautiful, naive, underage virgin is deceived, raped, and enslaved by a rich bearded monster.
"Lakum dheenukum valiya dheen".....
Muslims can live among non-muslims without any
Conflicts.... A muslim is not forbidden to use
Something which belongs to a non-muslim as
Its within the boundaries of Islam....
It seems now every lunatic in this world now has a right to interfere with our internal matters. Mr Branson, mind your own fishing business. What have you contributed to this nation and its common people? Nothing. So you have no rights to open your gob. Concentrate on your business and let us resolve our issues by ourselves. If you are that concerned, take Anni with you, take him with you to a far away planet in space and keep him there please. Don't bring him back because we the people of maldives don't want him back here.
People with little sense should understand that Richard Branson has better work to do than waste his time on Maldives.Yet as a sensitive world citizen he has responded to facts. If Maldives wants to revert back to feudal worship and hand over your country to few rich families and rich businessmen and live like donkeys to be kicked eating from the pittance that falls from the left over of your masters no Branson or Almighty won't be able to help that choice. True it is time for each Maldivian to decide what suits them, to be a civilized democratic society or slipper lickers for the old slave drivers.
We can c how loud these perpetrators r singing to promote their illegal activities.
People like Rafiq, Shiyam n some of the others who r desperately loudmouthing now, in the face of being disrobed for what they r, pls tell us what people like Shaheem, Imran, Gaazee A n the other hypocrites from the old regime r showing us, other than being a bunch of perverts and money n power hungry goons!
Don't think u can talk about religion n ethics to blind us, when u do not follow either. Hope u can make use of some of the money n weapons if it's lined up in ur coffins when u die.
Yes, money was distributed to take out for good some of the sincere people. And if u r so ignorant, just look at some of the other pictures of atrocity which were so brutally dealt; just like in the old days, n which never happened during the last 3 years.
Hope u hv a plan B for afterlife as u must know you hv to face it. But pls spare us from ur arrogant veils.
Richard Branson!!!
ARE YOU CRAZY? Please send a team of experts to investigate the extend of undemocratic nature of exPresident Nasheed in his own party (MDP)!
ARE YOU BLIND? Send your experts to find watch and read what was happening during the course of last 4 months in Maldives where Nasheed was ruling this country with iron fist and out of consitution.
ARE YOU DEAF? Send your expert team to consult the oppositon parties which would tell the story of Nasheed and his arrogant behaviour!! You have seen and heard a different Nasheed and a Nasheed that was portrayed to you and many in west as some one who stands for democracy (while he doesn't uphold it in his own party) and act for human rights (while he beats his own citizens) and stands for moral values (he is half drunk with his party corrupt elites and forgets what he does in that state).
Richard Branson: if you ever love this country and its beauty, stop dreaming Nasheed was a saint! he was a con man and a fake!! Do your own research and you will decide on your own.
Mr Branson,
During the last three years, our national debt has risen to Mrf 23 billion. It was Mrf 9 billion when Nasheed took charge. His sloppy economic policies send us on a down hill course and our debt skyrocketed to Mrf 23 billion in 3 years.
Since you are so concerned, why don't you help us pay our debt?
@ retired
Dear Retired,
Do u know any economics or r u just echoing some numbers given by ur masters?
U ofcourse know ur masters more than drained our coffers. In addition do u know what economic n political setup they constructed when being kicked out democratically? N do u know what has been achieved achieved since then? I'm sure you hv an idea even if u r a puppet.
Pls keep ur ideas to yourself till u can stand on ur own feet, or rather own mind.
it is so easy to retire and beg branson or anyone around to pay your debt.
it is even easier to have the "bengalis" do your work...with the kafir money you get as alms...
dho?
but then, you seem to forget your women and children...
is there something called "a maldivian man".
i would love to see one.
Open letter to Richard Branson,
----------------------------------------
Dear Sir Richard,
I believe you are a busy person and therefore would not have the time to learn about Maldives new constitution. Under Maldives new Constitution even if Dr Waheed resigns there will not be a new election.The new vice president becomes President for the remaining months of the current presidential term.
Do you remember when President Kennedy was killed his vice president Johnson became President. Even then conspiracy theorists believed Johnson had Kennedy killed to become President. In case of Maldives,The commonwealth are with the conspiracy theorists.
Nasheed may be your friend but you hardly helped him by investing your excess millions when Nasheed was having such a hard time in managing the Maldives economy which by the way is a fraction of your company.
Best regards,
Yours truly,
Not a Virgin.
@Rafiqul Alam on Fri, 24th Feb 2012 10:01 PM
"As Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group has said, there is no room to believe that Dr Waheed’s government is sworn in after a coup. "
First things first. Can you point out, for the benefit of the whole world, where that statement came from? There is a publicly visible statement that CMAG made on the Maldives on its webiste. It bears no resemblance to what you are claiming.
Can you clarify?
Thank you Sir Richard Branson and the common wealth for being with the people of the Maldives. I hope Maldivians would someday live peaceful life considering the difference of opinions we have.
and please don't promote hatred and violence.
I don't know if Mr.Branson will have time to read all these comments.Sometimes when you have too much money you seem to think you own the world.Otherwise why would a person who has so much to do start to act as if he knows better than most countries in the world and most organizations in the world.It is better that you first study the situation, and get the whole picture in your mind before you put you pen to paper or pen your mouth.
Please know that the people who now stand up against the dictatorship of Nasheed are the same people who helped him win the elections in 2008.They could not stand his selfish and mindless ways of running the government.Nor his plans to promote ideas spoon fed to him by his foreign allies.
Everyone except those in his party protested against him.He jailed and took into custody everyone who opposed him.he even abducted a chief judge of the judiciary.All this through unconstitutional orders to the police and military.On the 7th of February 2012 the police said "NO" to unconstitutional orders,which is their right by law.Nasheed tried to make the military to use force against the people and the police, even going to the extent of ordering them to use firearms.at that point the military said "NO".No one except MDP and Nasheed wanted a situation like in Syria here in the Maldives. Nasheed had no choice but resign.
We have a constitution and a presidential form of government, where it is clearly stated that if the president resigns,the Vice president has to step in as president.
This is a case of loss of popularity and support by the majority of the people and the police and military.All due to Nasheed's unconstitutional behavior, and his very blatant propaganda against Islam.
We have been Muslims for 885 years, and no foreigner of any religion has ever had any problem with our hospitality. We as Muslims are obliged to be welcoming and hospitable to people of all religions.
As for our tourism,no one is doing us a favor by coming to the Maldives. We sell a service and those who come here get there moneys worth.That is why we are ranked as one of the best holiday destinations in the world.
If someone like Mr.Branson does not want to come here because the people don't support his friend Nasheed, then that is purely your choice.When your mind is more stable and when you start to think more rationally perhaps you would come again.Even then you would be most welcome here.That's us Muslims.
But Mr.Branson, don't try tp spoil our image for your personal gain.
We support Mr.Branson, As everyone knows about bonaqua shaeem/and imran. they are the people who is spoiling the hall maldives in the name of religion. they are the Devil i can say in nice words.1stly the bagee said they will banned spas and throw GMR groupe from maldives + GSts will not take. there is no sign contract of israil. they have eaten there own words... we dont support them.I would request to help all the overseas countries to help us from Brutal waheed. they are afraid to go an election cox they know they will not get a single vote....
Richard Branson has money and material wealth. But that does not make him a saint, neither it does justify how he made the money.
He is known to enjoys the material life. According to his autobiography, he took LSD, smoked drugs had group sex. These are unacceptable by Maldives legal, social and cultural standards.
nasheed has never criticizer own religion... only people who abuse religion, which is only fair. it cannot be allowed for people to abuse religion for whatever purpose they choose
hey guys, Rasullulah said " Unzdur ma qala wa la tandzur man qala.." Look what he/she says and dont look at the person who says
who is that syeih imaran..or shaeem..they just use islamic words for money and power only..they only think they know better, claim know well for everything! huh!
i also studied quran and hadist, i know which one is right!!
many videos to proof it was a planned coup!!!
Mr branson, yes, i support your words, only fair and free election will solve this conflict!
thanks Mr.branson, for supporting the truth..
richard branson u idiot... we only want maumoon.. Maumoon is the divine and ruler of the universe. He is the father of democracy to the entire world. The whole world sees him as the best example... U go out richard branson.
Thanks a lot, Sir Branson, for your open letter to the Coup leader Waheed which the intellectual Maldivians appreciate so much....Our Constitution does not have any phrase that relates on taking over duties of the president when the President resigns under duress (illegal use of threats & violence)........That's why everyone including Sir Branson, CMAG and the EU has mentioned about an early election
Islam, oh yes, the face of peace, what a laugh. You ridiculous radicals do not know what peace is !!! Have a look on a world map and look at the countries that have peace that are Muslim. The Mid east is in a state of chaos !!!
There are two types of people on here, first ones use common sense followed by religion and the latter religion followed by no common sense. Some of the comments on here by Muslim radicals, YES RADICALS, are just plain disgusting and putrid.
Maldives is developing a twisted version of Islam, and the politicians "Waheed" are eating it up.
I Think you have funded Dr.Wahyd to over throw dicator Nasheed and now you are covering it up by writing an open letter.I am glad you have won in maldives by helping us to remove a dictator.I think it is good revenge for you as you have failed to over throw Robert Mugabe by offering him a £6.5m bribe to stand down.
A lot of the comments here just prove what a backward, third world country the Maldives is. The country seems to be full of uneducated people.
Thanks Sir Branson for standing up for the people who love democracy, peace and harmony in these tiny islands.
Internationally we may not be significant and important, considering our population and economy. However, it is remarkable to understand that people such as Sir Branson, with high moral stand are willing to express their support to the tiny population.
Thank you.
Branson did this and that.
Are you afraid to speak of what the Sheiks do? Are you afraid of their fornication and child molestation? Are you afraid of speaking about their adultery? Are you afraid of speaking about the names of the children of the so called president Waheed? Are you afraid to speak of how each Sheik in this coup spreading lies, hatred, asking to kill people. Are you even a bit afraid of the Sheiks twisting the true word of GOD for their own monetary and political benefit???
At least Branson doesnt go round saying hes a Muslim or a Saint.
Mindless lot arent you?
Its NOT Richard Branson who is the PROBLEM here. Its the Maldive Politics; Where a Democratically Elected President is Ousted using Gimmicks of childplay to get Back in Power. The WHOLE WORLD is LAUGHING AT THE CONSPIRATORS; as its SO VERY OBVIOUS . WAHEED ? WHO IS WAHEED, WHO CLAIMS HE IS PRESIDENT? WHO ELECTED HIM? AND HE/WAHEED IS SENDING HIS DELEGATIONS TO OTHER COUNTRIES, ASKING FOR RECOGNITION OF HIS LEADERSHIP! THAT IS THE GREATEST LAUGH OF ALL! WAHEED AND OTHERS INVOLVED IN THIS CONSPIRACY SHOULD BE JAILED. THE ASSETS OWNED BY THE CONSPIRATORS SHOULD BE FROZEN AND GIVEN TO THE MALDIVIAN PEOPLE WHO NEED IT. ITS THE HATRED WAHEED?GAYOUM &CO IS CREATING USING "RELIGION" AS THEIR BAIT. AND PRODUCING A WHOLE SET OF UN-TRUTHS. I THINK 2012 IS GOING TO A CRUCIAL TIME FOR MALDIVE PEOPLE TO GET RID OF THIS GAYOUM/WAHEED CORRUPTION; ONCE AND FOR ALL. JAIL THESE CONSPIRATORS! JAIL THESE JUDGES! LET THE TRUELY ELECTED COME BACK TO HIS OFFICE UNTIL THE NEXT ELECTIONS. ITS ALWAYS THE OPPOSITION PARTIES WHO CREATES TROUBLE WHEN THEIR OWN POCKETS ARE EMPTYING.OR WHEN THEY SEE THE FUTURE OF MALDIVES DOES NOT HAVE ANY PLACE FOR THEM; THEY TRY TO BUT -IN1 i bet waheed is wetting his pants now-FOR THE STATE HE CREATED FOR HIMSELF. bet he is/ie.WAHEED IS NOT SLEEPING SOUND AT NIGHT THINKING OF THE FUTURE CAGE-BIRD experience. PUNISHMENT WILL COME TO HIM AND HIS ASSOCITES. THAT INDEED IS CERTAIN. THERE WILL BE NO PEACE FOR HIM OR THE OTHERES INVOLVED. THIS IS TREACHEROUS DEED, INDEED. THE WHOLE WORLD IS LAUGHING. !!!
waheed' go home! and let the true president come back in his office. you are mis-leading your own people! YOU ARE TRYNING YOUR BEST TO GET OTHER NATIONS TO RECOGNISE YOU . YOU WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. YOU WERE NOT ELECTED. NO, MAN!GET OUT!YOU CANNOT BE TRUSTED TO HOLD A FAIR AND FREE ELECTION. GET OUT! THE WORLD IS RIDICULING YOU.YOU ARE AN ABSOLUTE LAUGHING STOCK. NOTHING YOU DO SEEM CREDITIBLE. EVERYTHING YOU SAY IS TOTALLY AND UTTERLY HILARIOUS!
@Soutu Lee
"This guy could buy this country 10 times over. better listen to him."
Are you joking man! Who would want these volcanic islands inhabited by biggoted goat f--king beardies?