"Too many people are going to challenge me this time...

Gasim, Munavvaru, Anni and now Hassan Saeed... "

Come on Sheikhs: You got some explaining to do

Abdullah Waheed's Blog

It's high time one of these sheikhs told us what they have been preaching to simple Maldivians for the last 20 years. What we have been hearing from them are sermons on beards and buruqas. After that we saw people in islands like Himendhoo sporting exactly such beards, not to mention the black veils surrounding the women folk. We thought that was what the sheikhs were promoting. Then suddenly a bomb exploded in the Sultan Park and now the Sheikhs are telling us that Himendhoo people have gone badly astray. That won't do, my dear Sheikhs. It's high time you put your acts together and explained the difference between what you say and what Himendhoo people say. more

Maumoon Abdul Gayoom - the father of Maldivian extremism

DO Editorial

The Himendhoo Mosque siege is sadly the latest of a growing problem in extremism in the Maldives, the culmination of events in the attempt to find the perpetrators of the terrorist attack in Sultan Park. While many Maldivians were deeply saddened and shocked by the incident, it did not come as a total surprise. Our society has been on this path for a long time now. It was just a matter of time before something like this would happen. more

Allegations repeated that Gayoom's abuse of Islam introduced extremism in Maldives

DO News Review

The MDP has restated the concern that President Gayoom's duplicity for political survival (after awarding himself the prerogative of being the final authority in the propagation of the tenets of Islam since1978), had introduced religious disharmony and extremism into Maldivian society. The MDP had voiced repeated concerns to friendly countries from 2004 that there was a fear that if President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom continues to renege on his promises of reform, extremists (including religious fundamentalists) may take recourse to violence. more

We Shall Not Succumb to Terrorism

DO Editorial

When innocent people are hurt, injured, maimed, or killed, that is TERRORISM, irrespective of their nationality, cast, creed or religion and despite who carried out the attack. In recent times, terrorist attacks mainly directed at tourists have been on the increase around the world. However, for those of us on these shores, they seem distant, remote, and often at times surrealistic. That is until yesterday. What we witnessed yesterday is real terrorism targeted against tourists. This is frightening and menacing. By the grace of the Almighty, no one was killed in this particular incident. But it could have been otherwise. And we as a country need to get to the bottom of this and find out who carried out this dastardly act. more

MDP sues Elections Commissioner over Referendum fraud

Local News(Dhivehi Observer)
The Maldivian Democratic Party last week submitted complaints against the Commissioner of Elections Mr. Kaaf Dhaal Ahmed Maniku to the Civil Court in Male’, citing him culpable in a number of fraudulent practices pertaining to the Referendum on a system of governance held on 18 August 2007. more

The Darker 'Not the Sunny' Side of Life in the Maldives

Blast from the pastlast(DO)

Eevan Naseem was beaten to death by 12 policemen whilst serving a sentence in Maafushi Jail 4 years ago on 19th September. Evan's mother has been detained several times because she complained about the murder. Similar incidents went unreported in Maldives for many years prior to this incident. It's been 4 years since Evan was murdered and we are hearing that his killers are being released by the Maldives Dictator Gayyoom. It is time to look back at the incidents of September 2003 and refresh our memories. Torture and oppression will continue unless the people take a firm stand against it. more

Four Years On... The terror continues ..... arbitrary arrests and detention without charge and murder in custody..

(Please be warned that these images are disturbing)

Help the campaign by exposing the regime through your contacts, MPs and media connections? International pressure does make a difference! more

MDP marks 20 September as day against torture

DO News Review

The Maldivian Democratic Party held a number of functions and a general assembly (on 19, 20 and 21 September) to mark 20 September as Day against Torture in Maldives. In 2003, 20 September proved to be a turning point in the political history of Maldives. On that fateful day thousands of people gathered on the streets of Male', the capital to vent their anger and frustration over the custodial torture/killing of a young prisoner (Eevan Naseem) and the subsequent shooting to death of four unarmed prisoners who were among scores protesting the killing. more

Referendum fraud case accepted by court

Male' - The case of referendum fraud submitted by Ali Sawad of S. Feydhoo has finally been accepted by the courts yesterday. "Initially they refused again but I called the Minister and a few minutes later the court called me and it was accepted", explained Sawad. This is the first of the many such cases which are being filed in the courts to prove that the August 18th referendum results were heavily rigged by Dictator Gayyoom. Sawad's case is about irregularities with voting procedures in his Atoll which he personally witnessed. Gayyoom's courts initially refused to accept any cases relating to the referendum but the new Justice Minister Muizzu appears to be a much more open minded person who is unwilling to bend the law to please his master.

The chase to catch the vote rigger

DO Reader's Review

In various stages of the August 18th public referendum to decide the governing pursuant system, numerous number of unacceptable activities were carried out, against the regulations passed out by the People's Special Majlis, regarding the referendum. The 11 member committee, formed by the Special Majlis to oversee the referendum, was unable to agree on the validity of the referendum results. The Majlis debate on 26th August on the issue on the demands of a petition by 25 members was concluded without reaching a decision. more

Maldivian Democratic Party condemns and opposes all aggression on human life, freedom and dignity anywhere in the world

MDP Press Office
As Muslims in the world begin the holy month of Ramazan, the Maldivian Democratic Party greets and urges all Maldivians to use the holy month and the stricture of fasting to help them examine their lives, to remind themselves of the virtues of charity, compassion and forgiveness, and to avoid the vices of cupidity, selfishness and dishonesty. more

MDP Details Referendum Irregularities As Tensions Grow On Streets

Minivannews

The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has released a report highlighting alleged fraud during the August 18 referendum.The report details dozens of specific irregularities, which the opposition says makes the result of the August vote ‘unacceptable.’The referendum, which asked Maldivians to choose between a presidential or parliamentary system of government in the new constitution, was billed by the government as the country’s first free and fair multi-party vote.The MDP backed the adoption of a parliamentary system, while President Gayoom called on voters to retain the presidency.Read More >>

Bomb attacks raise new Indian fears

Asia Times

NEW DELHI - Indian officials have pointed their fingers at the "usual suspects" - Pakistan and Bangladesh - after the twin bomb blasts that killed at least 43 and injured more than 100 people this Sunday at India's cyber-city of Hyderabad. Indian intelligence agencies say a new terror channel has emerged that begins in Pakistan, passes through Male in Maldives and then goes to the southern Indian cities that have direct flights to Male. Maldives is an Islamic state, and in the recent past traditional moderate views have been tossed aside because of an increasingly insecure President Abdul Gayoom, who has begun patronizing madrassas (seminaries) that foment extremists. Gayoom has ruled Maldives for almost three decades. more

Summary Report on Irregularities related to Referendum on system of governance held on 18 August 2007

MDP Press Statement

The MDP supported and campaigned to promote a parliamentary system of governance pursuant to a resolution passed by the party's Congress. In its campaign MDP adhered to laws and regulations pertaining to public secret ballots as well as the regulations passed by the People's Special Majlis (Constitutional Assembly) for this Referendum. more

Who do you want, a democratic leader or a dictator?

DO Editorial

I believe that we are faced with a very easy choice tomorrow. It's not only easy; it is quite straightforward. It is the choice between the words of a murderous dictator and that of democrats. Just ask yourself the question, "Who do you want to run your affairs, a democratic leader or a dictator?" and then decide. Let me rephrase it. Do you want to remain under an oppressive ruler, deprived of basic human rights and social justice or liberate yourself and become a responsible citizen? more