Author: Ahmed Nazeer

“Ready to serve the people”: Sheikh Hussein Rasheed congratulates candidates

The Adhaalath Party’s President Sheikh Hussein Rasheed Ahmed has congratulated all the candidates of the Adhaalath party who ran for the Local Council Elections.

Sheikh Hussein Rasheed in a statement said that his party was ready to serve the citizens of the country as much as it could.

”We believe that success is for to whom God grants it,” Sheikh Hussein Rasheed said. ”And we believe that we can only serve the citizens to the extent the citizens wish us to.”

Adhaalath Party won one seat in Haa Alifu Atoll Muraidhoo island council, one in Haa Dhaalu Atoll Nolhivaram island council, two seats in Makunudhoo in the same atoll, two seats of Shaviyani Atoll Bileifahi island council, one seat in Noonu Atoll Landhu, one seat in Raa Atoll Dhuvaafaru, one is Rasgetheemu of the same atoll, four seats of Kinolhas in the same atoll, Lhaviyani Atoll Olhuvelifushi island council’s two seats and Veymandu, Thaa Atoll island council’s one seat.

A total of 17 seats were won by Adhaalath Party according to the last preliminary results issued by the Elections Commission.

Sheikh Hussein Rasheed recently told Minivan News that Adhaalath candidates would focus on “wide ranging development”, aiming to reduce problems associated with drug abuse and “uniting people together”.

“We will co-operate with the government as per the law, of course,” he added.

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Local Council Elections 2011: Preliminary results by island and party

The DRP has won 502 seats, 91 island councils and 10 atoll councils, according to preliminary results of the local council elections.

MDP won 375 seats, 61 island councils, four atoll councils and 88 percent of the city council seats.

Independents took 160 seats, 15 island councils and one atoll council (Dhaalu).

The Elections Commission of the Maldives has said that the commission will announce the official result of the Local Council Elections within two weeks.

In the meantime, preliminary results are subject to change and media is accountable for its own reporting of seats won and lost by specific candidates, the EC stated.

”Any media that circulates information that a seat was won by a specific candidate according to an unverified result, shall do so of its own responsibility,” said the commission.

The commission said will be updating its results website as soon as sheets are received at the main office in Male’.

The following breakdown of results by island is sourced from the Elections Commission’s website. Full breakdown and names of candidates are available on the commission’s website (Dhivehi).

HAA ALIFU ATOLL COUNCILS

HOARAFUSHI – 2 MDP

IHAVANDHU – 2 MDP

BAARAH – 2 DRP

DHIDHU – 1 MDP and 1 DRP

KELA – 2 DRP

HAA ALIFU ATOLL ISLAND COUNCILS

THURAAKUNU – 2 MDP 1 IND

ULIGAMU -5 IND

MOLHADHU – 5 MDP

HOARAFUSHI – 6 MDP and 1 IND

IHAVANDHU – 4 MDP 1 DRP

KELA – 4 DRP 1 MDP

VASHAFARU – 5 DRP

DHIDHU – 5 MDP 2 DRP

FILADHU – 3 DRP 2 MDP

MAARANDHU – 5 IND

THAKANDHU – 5 MDP

UTHEEMU – 5 DRP

MURAIDHU – 4 MDP 1 ADH

BAARAH – 3 DRP 2 MDP

HAA DHAALU ATOLL COUNCIL

HANIMAADHOO – 1 MDP 1DRP

NOLHIVARAM – 2 DRP

VAIKARADHU – 1 MDP 1 IND

KULHUDHUFUSHI NORTH – 2 MDP

KULHUDHUFUSHI SOUTH – 2 MDP

HAA DHAALU ATOLL ISLAND COUNCILS

HANIMADHU – 3 MDP 2 DRP

FINEY – 4 DRP 1 MDP

NAVAIDHU – 5 DRP

NOLHIVARANFARU – 4 DRP 1 MDP

NELLAIDHU – 4 MDP 1 DRP

NOLHIVARAM – 3 MDP 1 ADH 1 IND

KURIMBI – 4 RP 1 MDP

NEYKURENDHU – 3 MDP 2 DRP

VAIKARADHU – 5 MDP

MAKUNUDHU – 2 ADH 3 MDP

SHAVIYANI ATOLL AREA

KANDITHEEMU – 2 DRP

MILANDHU – 2 MDP

KOMANDU – 2 DRP

FUNADHU – 2 DRP

SHAVIYANI ATOLL ISLAND COUNCIL

KANDITHEEMU – 5 DRP

NOOMARA – 5 MDP

GOIDHU – 5 DRP

FEYDHU – 2 MDP 3 DRP

FEEVAK – 4 DRP 1 IND

BILEIFAHI – 3 DRP 2 ADH

FOAKAIDHU – 5 DRP

NARUDHU – 3 DRP 1 MDP 1 IND

MAROSHI – 3 DRP 1 MDP 1 ADH

LHAIMAGU – 5 MDP

KOMANDU – 5 MDP

MAAUNGUDHU – 4 DRP 1 MDP

FUNADHU – 5 DRP

MILANDHU – 5 MDP

NOONU ATOLL AREA

KENDHIKULHUDHU – 1 DRP 1 MDP

MANADHU – 1 DRP 1 MDP

VELIDHU – 2 DRP

NOONU ATOLL ISLANDS COUNCIL

HENBADHU – 4 IND 1 DRP

KENDHIKULHUDHU – 3 DMP 2 DRP

MAALHENDHU – 3 DRP 2 MDP

KUDAFAREE – 5 MDP

LANDHU – 3 IND 1 ADH 1 MDP

MAAFARU – 4 DRP 1 MDP

LHOHI – 5 DRP

MILADHU – 4 MDP 1 DRP

MAGUDHU – 4 MDP 1 DRP

MANADHU – 3 DRP 2 MDP

HOLHUDHU – 5 DRP

FODHU – 4 DRP 1 MDP

VELIDHU – 4 MDP 1 DRP

RAA ATOLL AREA

ALIFUSHI – 2 DRP

UNGUFAARU – 1 MDP 1 DRP

DHUVAFARU – 1 DRP 1 ADH

INGURAIDHU – 1 DRP 1 MDP

MADUVVARI – 2 DRP

RAA ATOLL ISLAND COUNCILS

ALIFUSHI – 3 DRP 2 MDP

VAADHU – 5 DRP

RAGETHEEMU – 3 DRP 1 ADH 1 MDP

ANGOLHITHEEMU – 2 MDP 2 DRP 1 IND

HULHUDHUFFAARU – 5 MDP

UNGUFAARU – 5 DRP

DHUVAAFARU – 4 DRP 2 IND 1 MDP

MAAKURATHU – 4 MDP 1 DRP

RASMADHU – 3 DRP 1 MDP 1 IND

INNAMADHU – 3 MDP 2 IND

MADUVVARI – 3 MDP 1 IND 1 DRP

INGURAIDHU – 4 DRP 1 MDP

MEEDHU – 4 DRP 1 IND

FAINU – 4 MDP 1 DRP

KINOLHAHU – 4 ADH 1 IND

BAA ATOLL AREA

THULHAIDHU – 1 DRP 1 MDP

EYDHAFUSHI – 2 DRP

KENDHU – 1 MDP 1 DRP

KUDARIKILU – 3 DRP 2 IND

KAMADHU – 5 MDP

KENDHU – 2 MDP 2 IND 1 DRP

KIHAADHU – 3 IND 2 MDP

DHONFANU – 3 DRP 2 IND

DHARAVANDHU – 3 DRP 2 MDP

MAALHOS – 3 MDP 1 DRP 1 IND

EYDHAFUSHI – 5 DRP

THULHAIDHU – 4 DRP 1 MDP

HITHAADHU – 4 IND 1 MDP

FULHADHU – 5 DRP

FEHENDHU – 5 DRP

GOIDHU – 5 MDP

LHAVIYANI ATOLL AREA

HINNAVARU – 1 JUMHOORY PARTY 1 MDP

NAIFARU – 2 DRP

KURENDHU – 2 MDP

HINNAVARU – 5 MDP 2 DRP

NAIFARU – 7 DRP

KURENDHU – 5 MDP

OLHUVELIFUSHI – 2 ADH 1 MDP 2 IND

FELIVARU – TO BE ANNOUNCED

KAAFU ATOLL AREA COUNCILS

KAASHIDHU – 1 MDP 1 DRP

THULUSDHU – 2 DRP

GURAIDHU – 1 DRP 1 MDP

KAAFU ATOLL ISLAND COUNCILS

KAASHIDHU – 4 DRP 1 MDP

GAAFARU – 4 DRP 1 MDP

DHIFFUSHI – 4 MDP 1 DRP

THULUSDHOO – 4 DRP

HURAA – 5 DRP

HINMAFUSHI – 5 DRP

GULHI – 5 DRP

MAAFUSHI – 5 MDP

GURAIDHU – 5 DRP

ARI ATOLL UTHURUBURI COUNCIL [NORTH ARI ATOLL]

MATHIVERI AREA – 2 MDP

THODDU AREA – 2 MDP

ARI ATOLL UTHURUBURI ISLANDS COUNCIL [NORTH ARI ATOLL]

THODDU – 5 DRP 1 MDP

RASDHU – 4 MDP 1 DRP

UKULHAS – 5 MDP

MATHIVERI – 2 MDP 3 DRP

FERIDHU – 5 DRP

MAALHOS – 5 MDP

HIMANDHU – 3 DRP 2 IND

ALIF DHAALU ATOLL COUNCILS [SOUTH ARI ATOLL]

MAAMIGILI – 2 JP

MAHIBADHU – 1 DRP 1 JP

A.DH ATOLL ISLANDS COUNCIL [SOUTH ARI ATOLL]

HANYAMEEDHU – 4 IND 1 JP

OMADHU – 5 IND

KUMBURUDHU – 4 IND 1 MDP

MAHIBADHU – 4 DRP 1 IND

MANDHU – 5 DRP

DHANGETHI – 2 JP 2 DRP 1 IND

DHIGURAH – 5 DRP

DHIDHU – 4 IND 1 JP

FENFUSHI – 3 JP 2 MDP

MAAMIGILI – 5 JP

VAAVU ATOLL COUNCIL

FELIDHU – 2 DRP

KEYODHU – 2 DRP

VAAVU ATOLL ISLANDS COUNCIL

FULIDHU – 5 MDP

THINADHU – 4 MDP 1 IND

FELIDHU – 5 DRP

KEYODHU – 5 DRP

RAKEEDHU – 5 MDP

MEEMU ATOLL COUNCILS

DHIGGARU – 2 DRP

MULAKU – 1 DRP

MEEMU ATOLL ISLANDS COUNCIL

RAIMANDHU – 5 DRP

VEYVASHU – 4 IND 1 MDP

MULAKU – 5 DRP

MULEE – 5 DRP

NAALAAFUSHI – 5 DRP

KOLHUFUSHI – 4 DRP 1 IND

DHIGGARU – 4 IND 1 MDP

MADUVVARU – 3 DRP 1 MDP 1 IND

FAAFU ATOLL COUNCIL

BILEIDHU – 1 MDP 1 IND

NILNADHU – 1 DRP 1 IND

FAAFU ATOLL ISLANDS COUNCIL

FEEALI – 5 IND

BILEIDHU – 4 IND 1 MDP

MAGUDHU – 4 MDP 1 IND

DHARANBUDHU – 2 DRP 2 MDP 1 IND

NILNADHU – 3 DRP 1 IND 1 MDP

DHAALU ATOLL COUNCIL

MEEDHU 1 MDP 1 IND

KUDAHUVADHU – 2 IND

DHAALU ATOLL ISLANDS COUNCIL

MEEDHU – 3 IND 2 MDP

BANDIDHU – 5 IND

RINBUDHU – 3 MDP 2 IND

HULHUDHELI – 5 DRP

VAANEE – 5 IND

MAAENBUDHU – 3 IND 2 MDP

KUDAHUVADHU – 4 IND 1 MDP

THAA ATOLL COUNCIL

VILUFUSHI – 1 MDP 1 IND

THIMARAFUSHI – 2 DRP

KINBIDHU – 2 DRP

THAA ATOLL ISLAND COUNCIL

BURUNI – 3 MDP 2 IND

VILUFUSHI – 5 MDP

MADIFUSHI – 3 DRP 2 MDP

DHIYAMIGILI – 3 MDP 2 IND

GURAIDHU – 5 DRP

KANDUDHU – 4 MDP 1 DRP

VANDHU – 3 DRP 2 IND

HIRILANDHU – 3 DRP 1 MDP 1 IND

GAADHIFUSHI – 4 MDP 1 IND

THIMARAFUSHI – 4 MDP 1 DRP

VEYMANDU – 2 DRP 2 IND 1 ADH

KINBIDHU – 4 MDP 1 IND

OMADHU – 5 IND

LAAMU ATOLL COUNCIL

ISDHOO – 2 DRP

GAN – 2 DRP

FONADHU – 2 DRP

MAAVAH – 1 DRP 1 MDP

LAAMU ATOLL ISLANDS COUNCIL

ISDHOO – 4 MDP 1 DRP

DHANBIDHU – 5 DRP

MAABAIDHU – 3 DRP 2 IND

MUNDU – 4 DRP 1 IND

GAN – 5 DRP 2 MDP

MAAVAH – 5 DRP

FONADHU – 5 DRP

GAADHU – 4 DRP 1 IND

MAAMENDHU – 5 DRP

HITHADHU – 4 DRP 1 MDP

KUNAHANDHU – 3 IND 2 MDP

GAAFU ALIFU ATOLL COUNCIL

VILLINGILI – 1 DRP 1 MDP

DHAANDHU – 2 DRP

GEMANAFUSHI – 2 DRP

GAAFU ALIFU ATOLL ISLANDS COUNCILS

KOLAMAAFUSHI – 4 MDP 1 DRP

VILLINGILI – 6 DRP 1 MDP

MAAMENDHU – 5 DRP

NILNADHU – 5 DRP

DHAANDHU – 4 MDP 1 DRP

DHEVVADHU – 3 DRP 2 MDP

KONDEY – 5 IND

GEMANAFUSHI – 5 DRP

KANDUHULHUDHU – 5 DRP

GAAFU DHAALU ATOLL COUNCIL

THINADHU – 2 MDP

MADAVELI – 2 DRP

FARESMATHODA – 2 DRP

GADHU – 2 DRP

GAAFU DHAALU ATOLL ISLAND COUNCILS

THINADHU – 7 MDP

MADAVELI – 5 DRP

HOADEDHU – 3 DRP 2 MDP

NADELLA – 4 DRP 1 IND

GADHU – 3 DRP 2 MDP

RATHAFANDHU – 2 MDP 2 DRP 1IND

VAADHU – 4 MDP 1 IND

FIYORI – 3 DRP 1 IND 1 MDP

FARESMATHODA – 5 DRP

GNAVIYANI ATOLL COUNCIL

FUVAMULAK NORTH AREA – 1 MDP 1 DRP

FUVAMULAK MID AREA – 1 DRP 1 MDP

FUVAMULAK SOUTH AREA – 2 DRP

FUVAMULAK ISLAND COUNCILS

DHANDIMAGU – 3 DRP

DHIGUWAADU – 3 MDP

HOADHADU – 3 MDP

MAADHADU – 3 MDP

MISKIMAGU – 3 DRP 1 MDP

FUNAADU – 2 MDP 1 DRP

MALEGAN – 2 DRP 1 MDP

DHOONDIGAN – 3 DRP

ADDU ATOLL COUNCILS

HULHUMEEDHOO AREA – MDP

FEYDHOO AREA – MDP

MARADHU AREA – MDP

HITHADHU NORTH – MDP

HITHADHU MID – MDP

HITHADHU SOUTH – MDP

MALE’

ALL THE AREAS OF MALE’ EXCEPT FOR GALOLHU SOUTH AND VILIMAAFANNU WAS WON BY MDP.

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“Soon Male’ and Addu will also be free from yellow slavery”: Gayoom

The main opposition Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) last night held a special function to celebrate its set majority in the Local Council Council elections.

Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and DRP MPs Ahmed Nihan, Ilham Ahmed and Former Deputy leader Umar Naseer addressed the people gathered at artificial beach.

Gayoom in his speech said that the Local Council Elections had “proved that the citizens of the Maldives are with DRP.”

”Slowly the yellow color will fade away and turn into blue, very soon Male’ and Addu will also be free from yellow slavery,” said Gayoom.

He said that DRP faced many obstacles and had to “pass many challenges to win the election”, and thanked the people “for their cooperation.”

Opposition MPs and the host of the ceremony heavily criticised current President Mohamed Nasheed and the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).

DRP MP and Deputy Leader Ilham Ahmed said that it was only by the help of Dhivehi Qaumee Party (DQP) leader Dr Hassan Saeed, Jumhoory Party leader Gasim Ibrahim and the Adhaalath Party that President Nasheed had been able to win during the last presidential elections.

”But where are they now?” asked Ilham. ”They are not there with him. After a few days of Nasheed’s administratio, we heard Dr Hassan saying ‘No I can’t take it’. The same thing happened to Gasim, and now we are hearing the Adhaalath Party saying MDP is attempting to wipe out Islam from the Maldives.”

Despite President Nasheed’s numerous visits to islands during the campaign, DRP won more seats than MDP. But although more seats were won by DRP, major areas such as Male’ and Addu were won by MDP. Figures from the Elections Commission to be released this evening should show if this has given MDP the lead on a party-preference basis.

MDP also held a ceremony last night to celebrate victory.

President Nasheed congratulated President of MDP Ibrahim Hussain Zaki, Chairperson Mariya Ahmed Didi and Parliamentary Group Leader ‘Reeko’ Moosa Manik, as well as members and supporters of MDP on its success in local council elections.

In a statement the MDP said that ”people’s approval and support for MDP has increased as a result of this wide campaign by the party for these elections,” the President said, adding that he had phoned the leader of DRP Ahmed Thasmeen Ali yesterday.

”Speaking with Ahmed Thasmeen Ali, the President expressed his confidence of Thasmeen´s cooperation with the government in its effort to consolidate democracy in the Maldives,” said the MDP website.

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AG Office appeals to overturn Civil Court’s ruling on Addu City Council

The Attorney General’s office has appealed at the High Court to overturn a Civil Court ruling that the criteria established by the Local Government Authority to determine cities are invalid.

The High Court of the Maldives said that the case was now in the High Court but it had not yet scheduled the hearing.

The Civil Court delivered the verdict day before yesterday after the case was filed in the court by Hassan Nasir of Hulhudhoo, a citizen of Addu Atoll.

In response to the allegations in the trials conducted in Civil Court the state argued that the Decentralisation Act does not say that the presence of all the members of the Local Government Authority are required when making a decision.

However, the judges ruled that the Local Government Authority was a national institution, and therefore its work was to be conducted similar to how other institutions were conducted.

The first time President Mohamed Nasheed declared Addu Atoll a city, the Dhivehi Qaumee Party (DQP) filed the case in Civil Court, citing a law that a Local Government Authority shall be established to make a city, and the Local Government Authority shall also establish a criteria to determine cities and determine whether the subject atoll metthe requirements.

The Court then ruled in favor of DQP and ruled that president did not have the authority to declare Addu Atoll a city without completing the procedure mentioned in the Decentralisation Act.

The day after, President Nasheed established a Local Government Authority consisting solely of Home Minister Hassan Afeef. Afeef established the criteria and determined that Addu Atoll mets the requirements to become a city. The president then declared Addu a city for the second time in January this year.

With four days before Addu was to hold its City Council elections for the first time, the Civil Court ruled that the Local Government Authority’s criteria was invalid and the Elections Commission was forced to cancel the City Council elections.

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Police seize Rf184,000 drug haul during two day crackdown

The Maldives Police Service has announced the seizure of illegal drugs with a suspected value of Rf184,000 (US$14,431) during a two day period late last month.

The drugs were found during three separate cases recorded by authorities between 30 January and 31 January.

Among these cases, police said they arrested a person at GMR Male’ International Airport’s domestic terminal on 31 January who was said to be carrying 20 bullet sized packets containing illegal narcotics as well as four small packets of cannabis.

According to the police, the airport officers on duty at the time said they has discovered the drugs during a search of the suspect.

The Police claimed that the street value of the illegal drugs found on the individual would fetch up to Rf100,000 (US$7,843).

The second case was related to a report received by police intelligence that led to a search of Mahchangolhi Kulhafilaage for drugs and the discovery of eight bullet-sized packets of suspected illegal drugs.

The Police Service said that upon searching garments in the house, 53 packets of suspected illegal drugs were discovered stored inside the pocket of two shirts as well as another two bullet sized packs.

Inside short pockets in the house, police said they additionally found packets containing suspected illegal drugs.

Police officers who searched the house also reported finding two 500ml life water bottles filled with alcohol and seven other packets containing illegal drugs on an individual.

The Police Service said that two men were arrested in connection to the case, which resulted in drugs with a value of Rf50,000 (US$3,921) being found.

In another case reported over the two day period, police intelligence said they had acted over reports that a person aboard a boat travelling to Velidhoo in Noonu Atoll was carrying drugs and conducted a special operation in collaboration with the Velidhoo police station.

Police said the suspect had thrown away a bag when he saw the police, but it was later retrieved and checked in his presence.

Seven plastic packets of narcotics, a can of cannabis and other materials linked to drug use were found inside it.

Police said the street value of the drugs found in the third case would be approximately Rf34,000 (US$2,666)

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DQP alleges MDP involvement in judicial obstruction

The Dhivehi Qaumee Party (DQP) led by former Attorney General Dr Hassan Saeed has today issued a statement condemning the alleged attempts ”of the ruling” Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) to obstruct the judicial system and threaten judges.

The party said in a statement that the alleged action of some MDP MPs within protests that barred entry to Male’s Justice Building was a constitutional violation. The protests had been held in opposition to a ruling by the Civil Court that Addu Atoll did not fulfill criteria to be considered a city.

”By the hard work of the citizens, the judges have become independent according to the new constitution. And we call on the police and the chief justice to take immediate actions against those who attempt to obstruct the judicial system,” the DQP said in the statement. ”This is an additional circle to the series of attempts by the MDP’s government to challenge the constitution, obstruct judicial administration, mock the judges and to create civil unrest.”

The DQP said it was the lawful duty of the police and the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) to uphold the constitution ”as you have swore by god to uphold the constitution.” The party also called for police and the MNDF to take action against those trying to influence and threaten the judiciary.

The criticisms made by the DQP follow similar claims made this week by the People’s Alliance Party (PA), which is led by Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, has today condemning attempts to ”influence and threaten the judiciary”, following the protests in Male’.

A PA statement said “reasonable grounds” existed to believe that there were political links in the attempts to block entrance to the cour, based on media reports comments made by MDP MP Alhan Fahmy that Adduans ”would not let courts in Addu open.”

Some Maldivians have reacted in anger to the Civil Court’s ruling that the Local Government Authority established by the government to determine the criteria of cities was incomplete and that the Local Government Authority’s determination that Addu meets the requirements to become a city was invalid.

This resulted in similar protests to those seen in Male’ also being held in Addu Atoll, where people allegedly chain locked the main door of Hulhudhoo court.

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MDP condemns Elections Commission over Addu City Council cancellation

The ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has condemned the Elections Commission “in strongest possible terms” for canceling the Addu City council election.

The Elections Commission announced that the Addu City Council election was canceled after the Civil Court invalidated the criteria established by the Local Government Authority to determine cities.

The Local Government Authority was established when the Civil Court recently ruled that president does not have the authority to declare Addu as a city before a Local Government Authority was established, and before the Authority determines whether Addu meets the requirements to be a city.

”In the public referendum held, Addu citizens in Maradhu area have already decided that they want to hold the Addu City Council elections,” said MDP’s Maradhoo branch in a statement. ”The citizens of this area were extremely concerned when Elections Commission announced that Addu City Council elections were canceled.”

MDP Maradhu referred to article 4 of the constitution which states that all powers of the state are derived from the citizens and remain with the citizens.

”We are very concerned, disappointed and condemn this in strongest possible terms for the state institute has disregarded the decision of the citizens,” said the statement.

Many Addu citizens believe the development of Addu is linked to the establishment of Addu City.

”As a result, we call on everyone not attempt to work against Addu City council elections and remember that the people of this area are willing to sacrifice anything to come out against those who work to obstruct this,” said the MDP.

Vice President of the Elections Commission Ahmed Fayaz Hassan said that all members of the commission were working according to the constitution and laws.

”We have taken an oath that we will follow the laws and the constitution, and we are keeping our work to the constitution and laws,” he said, adding that he had no further comment on the issue.

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Maldivian passport stamped ‘security concern’ in India, says Adhaalath Party

The Adhaalath Party has claimed that Maldivians traveling to India have begun face difficulties while in transit, following an article in ‘The Week’ magazine alleging the involvement of Maldivians in the Mumbai bombings.

Adhaalath contends that the article, which interviewed government officials and labelled Sheikh Illyas and Sheikh Fareed as “hate preachers”, will create “many obstacles” for travelling Maldivians and those living in India.

Today the party produced an image of a Maldivian passport stamped with a warning by Indian immigration that due to security concerns the bearer could only visit to India after two months.

Adhaalath Party noted that it has recently warned that such things would happen because of the interview senior government officials gave to ‘The Week’ magazine.

In the article, Ahmed Muneer, Deputy Commissioner of the Maldives Police, acknowledges that “our radical preachers are enjoying street credibility and radicalisation is visible at the street level. It’s a problem for us, but things would aggravate if the radicals get integrated into Maldivian politics.”

The Adhaalath party claimed that during the interview, “Dr Shaheed said that scholars were delivering lectures with the intention of earning money, and that only a few people attended religious protests because they wanted to go to heaven.”

”As a result of this [article], religious scholars in the Maldives will face many obstacles locally, and it will also affect Maldivian families living in India,” said the Adhaalath Party.

”Due to irresponsible comments by senior officials of the government, tourism in the country will also be affected,” warned the party earlier, accusing the President of “fabricating” statements concerning scholarly freedom in the Maldives.

The Islamic Foundation of the Maldives has also previously raised concerns about the impact of ‘The Week’ article.

“Apart from the threat of being arrested and interrogated by authorities abroad and being kept under surveillance by foreign governments, the government’s action may create obstacles and insecurity for the Muslim religious scholars and the people of Maldives in travelling abroad,” the Foundation said in a recent statement.

“We also call the government to stop stereotyping the people of this country with the hope of getting financial benefits from the enemies of Islam. We also urge the individuals involved in such acts to get repent and return to the Path of Allah,” it added.

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PA condemns influencing and threatening of judiciary

The People’s Alliance Party (PA) led by Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has today issued a statement condemning attempts to ”influence and threaten the judiciary”, following protests in Male’ and Addu Atoll over the Civil Court’s decision to stop Addu from becoming a city.

The party said there were “reasonable grounds” to believe that there were political links in the attempts to block entrance to court, based on reports in the media of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) MP Alhan Fahmy’s comment Alhan stating that Adduans ”would not let courts in Addu open.”

The PA, which is in coalition with the opposition Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP), accused the MDP of “trying to influence the judiciary and judges.”

The party added that it had sent a letter to the police and Prosecutor General’s Office ”requesting they investigate the attempts to influence the judiciary the attempts to threaten judges.”

”In the recent days, senior officials of the ruling party along with their supporters have committed similar crimes, but it a concern that it never comes to the attention of the concerned authorities,” said the party. ”We believe that it is definitely an attempt to influence the judiciary and threaten the judges.”

Protesters temporarily barred entry to the Justice Building of the Maldives last night, in response to the Civil Court’s ruling that the Addu city criteria were invalid, forcing the Elections Commission (EC) to cancel the local council election in Addu this Saturday.

Today the Department of Judicial Administration said that the court of Hulhudhoo in Addu Atoll was also locked this morning, and had to be opened with the assistance of police.

Local radio station SunFM reported Alhan Fahmy, a Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) MP in Addu Atoll, as saying that he ”would not let courts in Addu to be opened.”

Fahmy was present at protests in Addu, SunFM reported, as Adduans expressed fury over the Civil Court ruling.

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