Tag: President Mohamed Nasheed

UN, UNDP catch up on country, economy with President

Assistant Secretary General at the United Nations and the Assistant Administrator at UNDP Ajay Chibber today paid a courtesy call to President Mohamed Nasheed to discuss the current state of affairs in the Maldives.

At the meeting held at the President’s Office, President Nasheed noted that maintaining relations between the organisations and the Maldives was an important factor in continued national development.

The President also updated Chibber on the current political environment in the Maldives. The country’s Islamic Ministry reacted strongly to UN Human Rights Chief Navi Pillay, who called for a moratorium against flogging last month. A Protest to Defend Islam is scheduled for December 23.

The President later called the controversy, which included protests and letters of complaint to Parliament and the UN, a missed opportunity to demonstrate “the nobility of Islamic Shariah.”

The UN Assistant Secretary General said the development of national institutions was critical towards the Maldives’ ongoing transition into the middle income country category.

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Ali Sulaiman made State Dignitary

Ali Sulaiman of Maafannu Lucky Star was yesterday conferred the title of ‘State Dignitary’ by President Mohamed Nasheed, “in recognition of his invaluable service to the state”, the President’s Office reports.

In a ceremony at the Upper North Regional Office in Haa Dhaal atoll Kulhudhuffushi, Sulaiman was credited for his “immense services” to the country and nation, and particularly noted for his role in bringing a multi-party political system to the Maldives.

In his 33-year long service to the state, Sulaiman served as Haa Dhaal atoll MP, Manager of Haa Dhaal atoll shop, Island Chief of Haa Dhaal atoll Vaikaradhoo and Haa Dhaal Atoll Chief. During this time he has helped develop education and other social services locally.

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Religion not a political tool: President

President Mohamed Nasheed has said the government will never make use of religion as a political tool, and that religious affairs are carried out with the guidance of religious scholars.

The President made his remarks during the foundation laying ceremony of Haa Alifu Maarandhoo Friday Mosque on December 5.

Speaking at the ceremony, the President further stated that the government aims to strengthen religious faith among the people, and that strong faith is crucial to improved national development.

The President met with the Kelaa Island Council to discuss ways to better decentralise island government. During his trip, he also met with councils from Ihavandhoo, Maarandhoo and Thakandhoo islands to discuss health care.

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“Our faith should not be so easily shaken”: President Nasheed

Maldivians should have the self-belief and resolve not to have “our faith shaken by listening to statements or opinions expressed by others”, President Mohamed Nasheed said at a function to confer national awards of honour and recognition on Sunday night.

Nasheed’s remarks followed controversy in the wake of statements made by visiting UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, who called for a moratorium and public debate on flogging as a punishment for fornication. Pillay’s statements were widely condemned as an unconstitutional challenge to a Quranic injunction and prompted protests outside the UN building.

“To build a nation, we should all have the courage, the patience and the willingness to exercise our minds to its deepest and broadest extent,” Nasheed said.

Sunday night’s winners of the national awards for honour and recognition were “perfect examples of the strength of one’s faith,” he added.

Recipients of the national award for recognition included Professor Hassan Ugail, a mathematician and computer scientist at the School of Informatics, University of Bradford.

“We should have the courage to be able to listen to and digest what people tell us, what we hear and what we see,” said Nasheed, adding that Maldivians should not be “so easily swayed and conned”.

“For that not to happen, we have to foster in our hearts a particular kind of national spirit and passion,” he continued. “This national spirit is not going to come into being by not listening, not talking and hiding things, [but] by clearly and transparently saying what we think in our hearts, discussing its merits among us and making decisions based on [those debates].”

To achieve nationhood and progress, said Nasheed, a country needs more than development of its infrastructure.

“It is the individual who has to be developed -development is something that happens to a person, a change that happens with the individual,” he said.

Recognising outstanding achievements by individuals and holding them up as role models to the public was a duty of the state, Nasheed said.

He expressed particular gratitude to former Attorney General and human rights lawyer Husnu Suood for legal representation and advocacy on behalf of a number of citizens “during a very dark time” and made note of Professor Ugail’s academic achievements.

Majlis

Meanwhile in parliament yesterday, MP Dr Afrashim Ali, a religious scholar and member of the Progressive Party of Maldives’ (PPM) interim council, proposed a motion without notice to debate Pillay’s address on Thursday as “sufficient measures have not been taken by any state institution regarding this case” and if debate was allowed on any tenet of Islam “tomorrow it is likely that people will question worshiping Almighty God and open the space for discussion on it”.

The floor was opened for a debate on the motion with 41 MPs voting in favour. Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) MP Ibrahim Rasheed cast the only dissenting vote.

Afrashim noted that under article 27 of the constitution the right to free expression must be exercised “in a manner that is not contrary to any tenet of Islam.”

It was therefore “an indisputable truth that neither Pillay nor anyone else should be given permission to speak or express views contrary to the tenets of Islam within the territory of the Maldives,” he said.

Afrashim argued that Pillay’s remarks constituted a crime under the Religious Unity Act of 1994 and carried a prison term of between two to five years.

Addressing criticism for his role in Thursday’s event, Shahid informed MPs that he did not know of the contents of Pillay’s address in advance and that Dhivehi translations distributed to MPs after the speech were prepared by the UN.

Several MPs however called on the Speaker to issue a public apology.

Afrashim insisted that parliament should have made a public statement condemning the remarks and advised MPs that it was “in the best interest of the nation at this point” to formulate laws banning irreligious speech.

MDP MP ‘Colonel’ Mohamed Nasheed reproached Afrashim for “calling other MPs kafirs (unbelievers)” and “sowing discord for political purposes.”

MPs of the ruling party met the Speaker to express concern after Pillay’s speech, Colonel said, contending that MPs in attendance should not be blamed for her words.

MDP has condemned the remarks and “would not allow a religion other than Islam on this soil,” he said.

Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) Leader Ahmed Thasmeen Ali meanwhile joined the chorus of condemnation and concurred that her statements were “unacceptable” and “in violation of the constitution.”

“Yesterday they put up idols, today they talked about religious punishments, tomorrow we’ll be talking about homosexuality and gay marriage the next day. These are things that could happen in a series,” warned Fares-Maathoda MP Ibrahim Muttalib, who recently signed with the Adhaalath Party.

MP Gasim Ibrahim, leader of the Jumhooree Party, claimed Pillay’s remarks were part of the government’s serial efforts to introduce other religions, “build idol temples and weaken our Islamic faith.”

Gasim added that he would have put a stop to Pillay’s address if he had attended Thursday’s function in parliament.

PPM Spokesperson MP Ahmed Mahlouf said the MDP government’s anti-Islamic agenda was evident through such actions as authorising restaurants to serve expatriates during Ramadan, allowing the sale of alcohol at the airport departure terminal and proposing to make Islam and Dhivehi optional subjects at A’ Levels.

“A Muslim said in public for the time in the Maldives that he was not a Muslim,” said Mahlouf. “We believe these things are connected to President Nasheed because he hasn’t come out and directly said anything about it.”

He urged the public to join the protest planned by the NGO coalition for December 23 and “directly overthrow this government.”

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President confers national awards of honour, recognition

President Mohamed Nasheed conferred national awards of honour and recognition at a special function at Dharubaaruge on Sunday night.

Recipients of this year’s awards of honour were given a shield of honour, a badge of honour and commemorative plaques while winners of recognition awards received certificates and commemorative plaques.

The two individuals who received the honour award were Mohamed Yousuf for his contribution to education and Mohamed Ismail Fulhu for his contribution to raising health awareness.

Recipients of the national award of recognition were MP ‘Colonel’ Mohamed Nasheed in the area of Dhivehi literature (oratory skills); Ahmed Anwar in the area of education; Ali Rasheed in the area of health (traditional medicine); Husnu Su’ood in the area of legal service; Prof. Hassan Uqail in the area of innovation; Mohamed Ali Fulhu in the area of arts and crafts (boat building); Abdul Haris Haaroon in the area of arts and crafts (boat building); Abdul Rahman Moosa in the area of arts and crafts (lacquer work); Abdul Hameed Abdul Ghafoor in the area of sports; Abdulla Amir in the area of sports; Rafiath Rameeza in the area of performing arts (singing); Niuma Mohamed in the area of performing arts (feature film and drama acting); Jadulla Ismail in the area of applied arts (fashion designing); and Prop Pvt. Ltd. in the area of construction.

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Nasheed makes Cameron’s top five for Berlusconi stag party

If given the chance, British Prime Minister David Cameron would include President Mohamed Nasheed in a stag weekend organised by former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.

Graffiti artist Eine published a Q&A in UK media The Guardian in which he asked Cameron to choose five living world leaders to invite, and if he omitted Bill Clinton, to explain why.

After listing Clinton and Obama, Cameron said, “My new best friend is the president of the Maldives. He’s great.”

Press Secretary at the President’s Office Mohamed Zuhair told Haveeru that President Nasheed and the British PM maintain an “ever growing” friendship, and that their respective parties share a close partnership.

France’s Nicholas Sarkozy and New Zealand’s John Key also made the list.

Cameron gave one of Eine’s pieces to Obama as an official gift in 2010.

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Rush to renewables stems as much from energy security and economic consideration: President Nasheed

As Europe and the US remain distracted by economic turmoil, an unlikely band of nations is taking up the climate cause: the small, the poor and the vulnerable, writes President of the Maldives, Mohamed Nasheed, for the UK’s Financial Times.
There are many reasons why poorer countries adopt tough greenhouse gas mitigation targets. My country, the Maldives, announced its 2020 carbon neutral target in part to cajole industrial behemoths to clean up their act. If a small nation with modest means can enact a radical plan for carbon-free energy, what excuse do larger, wealthier nations have for dragging their feet?
Environmentalism, though, is only half the story. For many developing nations, particularly far-flung, small-island states, the rush to renewables stems as much from energy security and economic considerations as from climate.
Many developing countries are among the world’s most energy insecure. Their economies run on imported oil and they are held hostage to an oil price over which they have no control. Fossil fuel addiction puts a brake on economic development.
The Maldives spends 14 per cent of gross domestic product on diesel imports – more than on education and healthcare combined. If we continue “business-as-usual” growth, our oil dependency will double by 2020.
As the oil price climbs, the cost of renewable energy such as solar is falling rapidly. Thanks in part to large increases in Chinese productive capacity, solar photovoltaic modules are about half the price they were in 2008. Daytime solar power in the Maldives is now a third cheaper than diesel-based electricity. For many countries without fossil fuel reserves, it makes simple economic sense to switch to clean power.”

Read more

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Blog crack-down “is just the beginning”, warns censored blogger

The website of controversial Maldivian blogger Ismail ‘Hilath’ Rasheed has been shut down by Communications Authority of the Maldives (CAM) on the order of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs. The Ministry made the request on the grounds that the site contained anti-Islamic material, a CAM statement read.

CAM Director Abdulla Nafeeg Pasha told Minivan News the Islamic Ministry has the power to regulate website content.

Pasha did not wish to comment on the procedures for closing down a website, but said “if the ministry tells us to shut it down, that’s what we do. We do not make the decision.”

Once closed, Pasha explained, a website can only be re-opened by order of the court.

Islamic Minister Abdul Majeed Abdul Bari had not returned calls at time of press, and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry Mohamed Didi had not responded to enquiries.

In a statement issued today Hilath defended his blog as an expression of his Sufi Muslim identity.

“I am a Sufi Muslim and there is nothing on my website that contradicts Sufi Islam. I suspect my website was reported by intolerant Sunni Muslims and Wahhabis,” he claimed.

Under the Maldivian constitution every Maldivian is a Sunni Muslim. The constitution also provides for freedom of expression, with Article 27 reading “Everyone has the right to freedom of thought and the freedom to communicate opinions and expression in a manner that is not contrary to any tenet of Islam.”

New regulations published by the government in September, enforcing the 1994 Religious Unity Act, bans the media from producing or publicising programs, talking about or disseminating audio “that humiliates Allah or his prophets or the holy Quran or the Sunnah of the Prophet (Mohamed) or the Islamic faith.”

“This also includes the broadcasting of material (on other religions) produced by others and recording of such programs by the local broadcaster, and broadcasting such material by the unilateral decision of the local broadcaster,” the regulations stipulate. Under the Act, the penalty for violation is 2-5 years imprisonment.

Hilath claimed he was being censored for expressing his version of Islam, and called for more freedom of interpretation within the faith.

“I call upon all concerned to amend the clause in the constitution which requires all Maldivians to be Sunni Muslims only,” his statement read.

“‘Unto you your religion and unto me my religion,’ and ‘There is no compulsion in religion’,” he said, quoting Qur’an 109:6 and 2:256.

Hilath believes the block of his website has a political edge. “If Sunni Muslims are the conservatives, then the Sufi Muslims are the liberals,” he told Minivan News. “I think this is a conservative attack on the site. They think if you’re not a Sunni, you’re an unbeliever.”

Hilath said he would approach the issue from its constitutional roots. “If I want to unlock my blog I will have to go to court, where they will say I’m an unbeliever which is illegal. So I will have fight the larger issue of the constitution,” he said.

The label of ‘unbeliever’ was tantamount to ‘enemy of the state’, he said, adding that bloggers such as himself were afraid of the consequences of being labelled as such. Hilath is one of only a few Maldivian bloggers who write under their own names.

In January 2009 the Islamic Ministry shut down several blogs for allegedly publishing anti-Islamic material. The action closely followed then-newly elected President Mohamed Nasheed’s statement that the Maldives would be a haven of free expression.

Hilath said he was ashamed of the government’s maintenance of its original declaration for a liberal democracy. “I know the President said this was a liberal democracy, but I am ashamed that the Islamic Ministry has assumed so much power,” he said. “I call upon the president to address this issue.”

A 2009 review endorsed by UNESCO’s International Programme for the Development of Communication defined freedom of expression in the digital age as dependent on “neutral” networks “in the sense that the flow of content should not be influenced by financial, cultural or political reasons.”

“In particular, in the case of filtering, the origin of filtering lists and the underlying criteria and processes should be publicly available,” read the report.

The report made three recommendations for the Maldives:

1) To stop blocking websites as was done in March 2009;

2) If blocking is necessary, it should only be pursued following a favorable court decision;

3) To foster open discussions on internet regulation among citizens, government members, NGOs and international parties.

To Hilath’s knowledge, this is the first time a websites has been blocked since January 2009. He believes his website is part of a “bigger conservative fight against the [ruling] Maldivian Democratic Party” and is only the beginning of a new wave of censorship.

“This time I think the conservatives behind the Islamic Ministry think they can put pressure on the government to see all these things as anti-Islamic, like with the SAARC monument issue. More blogs will probably be blocked. I think this is just the beginning.”

The opposition to Hilath’s blog “is a minority of the population, but it’s very vocal and active,” he said. By contrast the younger generation, which composes approximately half of the Maldives population, may take a different view, he claimed.

“The younger generation is educated and enlightened about religion and freedom and Islamic principles. I think the majority will support my move. But few feel free to speak out,” he said.

Mohamed Nazeef, President of Maldives Media  Council (MMC), said he was not familiar with the blog in question. However he said that the media – even bloggers – were subject to the society it served.

“Even when you talk about democracy there are ethics, and you have to respect the prevailing culture of the country and the needs of its people. Even in the name of freedom there are boundaries. That’s why we have a media code of ethics.”

When asked whether a citizen’s blog could arguably represent or oppose the greater good, Nazeef explained that a balance between people and the law was important.

“The constitution must be respected because people are under the constitution. Nobody is above the law. If you want to do something that is not allowed you have to properly amend the law.”

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India extends US$100 million standby credit facility to Maldives

India today extended a US$100 million standby credit facility to the Maldives in support of economic stability. India has agreed to assist developing the country’s banking and financial infrastructure and capacity building.

“Bilateral cooperation between India and Maldives has been on a high growth trajectory in recent times,” said India’s Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. “We are working together on increasing connectivity and closer economic cooperation. These efforts are bearing fruit.”

In a signing ceremony at the President’s Office this morning, the two governments signed five agreements including a Memorandum of Understanding for international terrorism, drug trafficking, disaster management and coastal security; a program of cooperation between 2012 and 2015; and India’s commitment to renovate Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH).

A Framework Agreement on Cooperation for Development outlined a joint effort to support the growth of trade and investment, food security, fisheries development, tourism, transportation, information technology, renewable energy, communications and connectivity.

“These agreements have a number of advantages to both countries,” said President Mohamed Nasheed. “India’s contributions in these agreements goes a long way to the Maldives’ development.”

The heads of state announced their shared interest in opening passenger and cargo ferry services between Cochin and Male as soon as possible. The President said India would examining the project, and he hoped that it would support the development of North Kulhudhuffushi port.

Prime Minister Singh congratulated the Maldives on “an extremely successful SAARC Summit,” and expressed confidence in President Nasheed’s new role as SAARC chairman. “The pace of our activities will gather even greater momentum,” he said.

The President thanked the Prime Minister for his “moral and other support in holding and concluding the summit with such success.”

Following the ceremony, Prime Minister Singh delivered the first parliamentary address by a foreign head of state in the Maldives.

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