What is the role of the Majlis again?

I wonder what the real intention of these majlis members are. Some of them are heavily arguing that the courts can't overrule a Majlis decision while others are arguing that parliamentary elections be held on date. 

In my opinion, we are seeing campaigning to the extreme. Members in Majlis are so comfortable with their rhetoric that it has become difficult for the public to differentiate between sincerity and deceit.

Now Ibra is saying that we have to decide what to do with the supreme court as supreme court has ruled against them. Well is not the supreme court tasked with interpreting the laws of the country? If the majlis is given the power to make laws and interpret them, where is the check and balance in the system? It will be as stupid as the case of the majlis determining their own salary.

All I see on TV now is campaigning for their next seat. I am saddened that there are so few who are faithful to the public. 

What do you think? Should we clean up the Majlis or just let it be

Aussie James McGrath targeted in Maldives poll

THE first free election in the history of the Maldives might or might not topple Asia's longest-serving dictator, but it has already thrust Australian political strategist James McGrath back into the spotlight, a position he finds less than comfortable.

"For somebody who really likes to avoid attention and work behind the scenes, I suppose I've been having a pretty bad run," McGrath said by telephone yesterday after becoming the personal target of a withering publicity campaign launched by Maldives President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.

Just before the start of Thursday's presidential voting, Gayoom, who won six previous five-year terms thanks to electoral rules that made him the only candidate, portrayed the 34-year-old Queenslander as a corrupt - and corrupting - outsider, masterminding the main opposition campaign.

A barrage of press conferences, briefings and even cartoons released by the President's team called McGrath a malicious and highly paid outsider and said he was a Christian missionary, trying to undermine the country's Muslim faith.

Democracy campaigners are now concerned that McGrath, who has been working in the Maldives for 12 weeks as an unpaid adviser to former political prisoner turned presidential candidate Mohamed Nasheed, may be deported before a final run-off election on October 29, and they have appointed minders to ensure there are no physical attacks on the Australian.

It is not the first unhappy exposure to public attention for McGrath, who shares the belief of his mentor and fellow conservative Lynton Crosby that political advisers are effective only when they "fly below the radar".

After starting his political career working for the South Australian Liberal government in 2001, McGrath travelled to Britain on a working holiday visa a year later and worked his way up in Conservative machine politics to become the chief political adviser to new London Mayor Boris Johnson in May.

But his days of invisibility ended just a month later, when Johnson sacked him for saying in a private meeting that Londoners of Caribbean descent were free to leave if they did not like Johnson's administration.

Johnson rejected claims that McGrath's comment was racist, but said he still had to go because Johnson did not want his administration to be tainted by such accusations.

After four weeks' holiday, McGrath went on what was supposed to be a 10-day assignment in the Maldives as "an interesting political experience" to keep him busy while he pondered his future.

The British Conservative Party used a government grant to fund his airfare and hotel costs for nine days as a show of support for the new opposition party, the Maldives Democratic Party, and when that time expired, the local party asked him to stay on.

Travelling by boat and small planes to about a third of the nation's 21 groups of islands, McGrath taught MDP campaigners and party leaders how to canvass and develop strategy.

"I found it quite humbling to be attending meetings with party leaders and realising I was the only one in the room who hadn't been beaten or arrested or exiled or tortured for my beliefs," McGrath said.

"When my colleagues start comparing scars and counting their broken bones, there's not much I can say to join in."

Street protests and foreign government pressure prompted Gayoom, 71, to allow multiple-candidate elections for president.

McGrath said the "passion that ordinary people are showing over being allowed to actually vote for an opposition candidate for the first time has been really exciting. From a total population of about 300,000, the MDP has got 30,000 members. You don't get that sort of commitment in Australian or British politics".

During his 30 years in power, Gayoom used top-end tourism to help make the Maldives the richest country in South Asia. It has an average annual income of $7620, but poverty is still widespread and the MDP has campaigned for better health services, housing and transport, cheaper food and action against drugs.

As the MDP's campaign gathered pace, the ruling party turned its fire on McGrath, claiming he was trying to spread Christianity and had been promised he could have his own island if he helped Nasheed become president.

Presidential spokesman Mohamed Hussein Shareef claimed McGrath had "links to a movement to change the Maldives into a multi-religious society".

McGrath described the claims as worrying.

"They held three press conferences in 36 hours to say all this stuff and it was all rubbish, but it could be damaging, especially the Christian missionary stuff. This is a very conservative and very Muslim society, and people don't want to hear that some foreigner is running around trying to introduce another religion."

Thursday's first round of voting gave the President 40.6per cent of the vote and Nasheed 25.1per cent. Four other opposition candidates were eliminated from the final run-off.

The President's backers argued that he was already within striking distance of a majority after the first poll, but the MDP said almost 60per cent of the voters had opted for change.

Nasheed claimed all four eliminated candidates had pledged to support him in the run-off.

"Until then, I will just be trying to keep working and not get kicked out of the country," McGrath said

Original Article: The Australian

Aljazeera 101 on Maldives presidential elections

Here is yesterday's Al-jazeera's programme on Maldives.

I hope Journalists at home learn something from this. What they are doing today is just acting as postmen, forwarding what they hear to the other side and vice versa. I wish they would start asking about the real issues ahead.

Part I


Part II

Anni, Dr.Waheed, Gasim, Dr.Hassan, Adhaalath, Ibra, what a team!!

Finally they came together, and not a second too soon. I really aplaud Gasim and Adhaalath for joining the MDP team. I believe that we have a team of real patriots, who have put aside their ambitions for the benefit of the country and its people.

I wonder what Maumoon would be saying now. I suspect his negative campaigning would reach new heights. Get ready people for the likes of Mavota Shareef, Mundhu, Shafiu and Hoarafushi Saleem. I believe Maumoon will release these people into the public. These are his ultra-loyal, qualified-at-nothing, but authorised-in-everything bunch. When these people open their mouth so much filth comes out that even the person covering his ears would faint from the smell. I wonder which one of these four would you vote for the best liar.  In my opinion its Hoarafushi Saleem.

Anyway, I hope the people would think a lot more this time before voting for Maumoon. He is running out of cards and he is running out of friends. Everyone is jumping ship. And it will be difficult for him to discredit Anni this time around, weather it be on his religion, experience or qualifications. Everyone who really matters is with the MDP today. They are walking hand in hand to rid this country of its corruption, and clean it up for the next generation. I urge everyone to help clean up this country.

Saafu dhivehiraaje, Minivan dhivehiraaje

The comment Ibra refused to publish

The following is my comment for ibra's post The Bitter Darkness of The Void which he refused to publish.

-------------------------------------

Dear Ibra,

You are not supposed to campaign after 6pm, obey the laws.

People are really working hard trying to make this election a free and fair one, and at the same time trying to get as many people registered to vote. Don't belittle their efforts for your own selfish gain.

Ibra, I support you and your work. I've also learnt a lot about you during the past few weeks; from your single minded responses that have tried to hinder a collective process to your choice of VP who is apparently not ready to face the public.

Please stop your legal mumbo jumbos and your rhetoric. I think it will have no effect on your campaign at this point in time.

And on your 'poor brain' and 'poor intellect', I pray that Allah(swt) enhances your intellect and shows you the right path, and protect you from the hypocrites. I remember that you often quote Ayah no 18 of Surah Baqarah, "They are deaf, dumb and blind, so they return not (to the right path)".

Simple reason why I cannot support Dr. Hassan Saeed

The following is an excerpt from the book "Freedom of religion, apostasy and Islam" by Prof. Abdhulla Saeed and Dr. Hassan Saeed

"The law of apostasy had become one of the non-negotiable aspects of Islamic law, much like the prescribed punishment (hudud) specified in the Quran for theft or fornication. However, those punishments at least have Quranic support, whereas the punishment of apostasy does not, as this book argues. It is largely based on a number of isolated traditions of the Prophet (hadith ahad) or their interpretations."

I object to their work and I object to their demeaning words regarding the Quran and the Sunnah

...................................................

The following Hadith is narrated by Imam Bukhari (no 6922)

Ibn ‘Abbaas said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever changes his religion, put him to death.” 

The following Hadith is narrated by Imam Bukhari (6484) and Imam muslim Muslim (1676)

‘Abd-Allaah ibn Mas’ood said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “It is not permissible to shed the blood of a Muslim who bears witness that there is no god except Allaah and that I am the Messenger of Allaah, except in one of three cases: a soul for a soul (i.e., in the case of murder); a previously-married person who commits zina; and one who leaves his religion and separates from the main body of the Muslims.”

Surah An-Nisa, Ayah no 80 reveals

"He who obeys the Messenger (Muhammad (saw)), has indeed obeyed Allâh, but he who turns away, then we have not sent you (O Muhammad (saw)) as a watcher over them"

And in Sahih Bukhari

Narrated Abu Hurairah: Allah's Messenger (saw) said "All my followers will enter paradise except those who refuse". They said, "O Allah's Messenger! Who will refuse?" He said, "Whoever obeys me will enter Paradise, and whoever disobeys me is the one who refuses (to enter it)."

My Comment: How do we obey our messenger? By obeying his statements and his actions. Where do we learn these statements and actions? From the Hadith which were collected by the scholars. And which is the most authentic book on Hadith? It is unanimously agreed that Bukhari's work is the most authentic of all hadith literature put together. Therefore it has been traditionally agreed upon among all the Sunni Islamic scholars that each and every Hadith in this book is without doubt, authentic and can be used to decide matters of Islamic jurisprudence (Fiqh) concerning religious obligations, Haraam and Halal actions etc, by taking evidence from this book.

To have an own belief is one thing, but to cast doubt in people's mind regarding Islamic rulings, I cannot accept that. It is reckless, and opens up to fitnah and innovations in religion. I strongly object to the Saeed brother's attempt to weaken our religion.

Now here is a question for you. Who do you think would want to prove that apostasy does not deserve the punishment prescribed in Islam? Who do you think would benefit from it? Not the existing Muslims, not the Christians, Jews or Buddhists; they are not Muslims yet. And why is Hassan Saeed so eager to prove it?

Remember when Maumoon was so eager to prove that this was a new constitution and not an old one? What was the reason for it? The reason was that Maumoon was the sole benefactor.  

Blast from the past part 1

The following article was originally published in October 2005

To many Maldivians Gasim Ibrahim was a hero during the turbulent days of the fight to establish a multi party system. Gasim Ibrahim led the walkout from the Majlis. It was Gasim Ibrahim who gave the important interviews and press briefings. 

And finally last year when almost the whole of Male' had gathered at the Republic Square it was to Gasim that they turned to sort out everything. Ultimately Gasim was imprisoned and charged. It was apparently the Tsunami that saved Gasim's scalp and the President dropped the charges against him. 

That day Gasim was the biggest traitor but now today he is a hero to the Government. He stood at the side of the President when he announced the appointment of Gasim as the new Finance Minister.

My question as a freedom loving Maldivian is should Gasim have accepted any portfolio in this Government? Is Gasim, the freedom loving or democratic person he claims to be?

In my opinion the answer is No. Gasim has turned traitor to the very cause he supported - MDP. The Chairperson and other of his former colleagues languish in jail while Gasim is being chauffer driven in his new Ministerial car.

Maldives finance minister Gasim Ibrahim waits alone on stage at the first Dhivehi Rayithunge party meeting held in Maamigili island social centre on Alifu (south Ari) atoll. Source: www.maldivesculture.com

Gasim has sold out to Gayoom. He is not interested in MDP or any freedom or democracy. For Gayoom it may be a coup that he has managed to prize Gasim away from the MDP. This certainly was a blow to MDP as Gasim's financial assistance would be cut. 

Many Maldivians were surprised at this nomination of Gasim as the Finance Minister. The most important factor of course is Economics. Gasim has one of the biggest International Loans in The Maldives. He has loans from the banks in the Maldives. He is also now in charge of the Fiscal Policies of The Maldives. How can such conflicting interests serve the good of Maldivians? 

Gayoom should have never appointed such a person to such a post where he can influence the whole economy of the country to his own advantage. Being successful in running a few resorts does not mean that you can run and plan the economy of a country.

On the other hand, if we think properly we should not be surprised at Gasim's appointment. We should not forget who Buruma Gasim is? It would be more proper for us to call him Enderimage Gasim. Gasim became rich because Gayoom and Iliyas Ibrahim made him rich. He is their man and will always be their man. 

He did not probably join MDP to further democracy or freedom. He probably joined MDP so that he can control the MDP. Unfortunately for him Anni may have been wise to this fact and Gasim did not get the power he wanted in the MDP so he went back to where he originally came from; Enderimaage.

To the people who support this government he is a hero. A hero who has come back. However, to all the people who love freedom and democracy he is a turncoat and a hypocrite. Gasim should now always remember that he has lost the faith and support of a lot of Maldivians by his association with Gayoom's regime. Money alone cannot buy loyalty. Only time will tell whether Gasim has made the right move for himself.

Abraham Lincoln said “you can fool all of the people some of the time, some of the people all of the time but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time"

Original Source: Gasim Ibrahim - Hero or Hypocrite?