mdp ambush pilgrims
MDP gangs ambush Hajj pilgrims
MDP congress attendees ambushed hajj pilgrims and there families tonight as they waited for news on their delayed flight. Pilgrims with the Athama Group were standing outside the Athama Offices when MDP members, in a raucous and belligerent mood at the end of their meeting, arrived at the area shouting slogans and creating a scene.
A 71 year old man from Lh. Hinnavaru told olhuala when asked about the incident: "I and about 20 co-travellers and family members were waiting from around 9.30 pm for news about Athama's bungled travel arrangements when we were set upon by these people. They were asking us to join them in the shouting calling for the government to resign."
"I told them that was a ridiculous suggestion. This was between us and Athama, who I think are guilty of treating us very badly. Well, these people didn't take this too well... they turned aggressive towards us saying we were pawns of Gayyoom's government and all our troubles were caused by us. This did not make sense. I am not political and I don't care who is in government. I just want to go to Hajj... I have paid for this trip with my life-savings!"
"Mr. Gasim Ibrahim (Minister of Finance and Treasury) and Mr. Mahmood Shaugy (Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation) visited Athama to offer the government's help for the travelers. But frankly this is down to Athama's incompetence."
As the situation grew tense, the crowd changed in its nature. "We decided it was best to leave then. It was apparent we weren't going to travel tonight. And there were all these sinister people turning up. Most of them were parteys (local slang for drug addicts). I don't think it was on their agenda to make the Holy Pilgrimage to Mecca."
The MDP congress ended with some members milling about, shouting slogans. A group led by Male' MP Mohamed Shihab and Laamu MP Moosa Manik made straight for Athama's Offices. Groups of youths were alerted with text messages and some ferried to the scene by motorbike.
As the pilgrims left, the MDP crowd grew violent. By then there was a small police presence. Onlookers report that five police were injured. One neighbourhood youth reported via mobile telephone:
"One policeman was struck in the face and he had a badly cut face. The main agitators were led by MDP bigwig Saljamgey Ziyad - a hardcore drug user who terrorizes this neighbourhood. I know the police captured pictures of the incidents - and I hope they arrest the perpetrators. The police eventually used some kind of spray to disperse people who turned violent. They did not use tear gas."
This incident is seen by many to be another attempt by the MDP to politicise any and every dispute. This has increased the distress of many already affected by the disruption of their travel plans.
"These people have become the scourge of our country. I will offer my most heart-felt prayers so that my grandchildren and the coming generations are saved from this hateful bunch", said the traveller.
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MDP congress attendees ambushed hajj pilgrims and there families tonight as they waited for news on their delayed flight. Pilgrims with the Athama Group were standing outside the Athama Offices when MDP members, in a raucous and belligerent mood at the end of their meeting, arrived at the area shouting slogans and creating a scene.
A 71 year old man from Lh. Hinnavaru told olhuala when asked about the incident: "I and about 20 co-travellers and family members were waiting from around 9.30 pm for news about Athama's bungled travel arrangements when we were set upon by these people. They were asking us to join them in the shouting calling for the government to resign."
"I told them that was a ridiculous suggestion. This was between us and Athama, who I think are guilty of treating us very badly. Well, these people didn't take this too well... they turned aggressive towards us saying we were pawns of Gayyoom's government and all our troubles were caused by us. This did not make sense. I am not political and I don't care who is in government. I just want to go to Hajj... I have paid for this trip with my life-savings!"
"Mr. Gasim Ibrahim (Minister of Finance and Treasury) and Mr. Mahmood Shaugy (Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation) visited Athama to offer the government's help for the travelers. But frankly this is down to Athama's incompetence."
As the situation grew tense, the crowd changed in its nature. "We decided it was best to leave then. It was apparent we weren't going to travel tonight. And there were all these sinister people turning up. Most of them were parteys (local slang for drug addicts). I don't think it was on their agenda to make the Holy Pilgrimage to Mecca."
The MDP congress ended with some members milling about, shouting slogans. A group led by Male' MP Mohamed Shihab and Laamu MP Moosa Manik made straight for Athama's Offices. Groups of youths were alerted with text messages and some ferried to the scene by motorbike.
As the pilgrims left, the MDP crowd grew violent. By then there was a small police presence. Onlookers report that five police were injured. One neighbourhood youth reported via mobile telephone:
"One policeman was struck in the face and he had a badly cut face. The main agitators were led by MDP bigwig Saljamgey Ziyad - a hardcore drug user who terrorizes this neighbourhood. I know the police captured pictures of the incidents - and I hope they arrest the perpetrators. The police eventually used some kind of spray to disperse people who turned violent. They did not use tear gas."
This incident is seen by many to be another attempt by the MDP to politicise any and every dispute. This has increased the distress of many already affected by the disruption of their travel plans.
"These people have become the scourge of our country. I will offer my most heart-felt prayers so that my grandchildren and the coming generations are saved from this hateful bunch", said the traveller.
Click to read full article