civilviolence1
MDP Civil Violence Campaign
Editorial - Hussain Umar
The MDP has declared a campaign of 'civil disobedience' in their attempt to try and overthrow the constitutionally elected Maldivian government. The campaign is based on the MDP leadership's belief that the common MDP member is ignorant and uneducated; they promote violent, criminal activities and civil violence as part of civil disobedience.
In a meeting held at Imaadhudhdheen School held last night (the 14th of January 2006) the MDP's national executive passed a resolution calling on all 'MDP members and supporters involved in the public sector to either not turn up for work or to impede the work of government departments' starting from Sunday. However, this is only a culmination of many months of 'education of the masses on civil disobedience' by the party leadership.
MDP grass roots activists have been painted a picture of a 'civil disobedience’ that no encyclopaedia or history textbook can offer. While political philosophers are agreed that civil disobedience include activities 'that disobey civil laws without any violent activity', the MDP has indoctrinated its followers to the contrary: "Civil disobedience include violence against the Police, intimidation, arson and vandalism".
Speaking at the controversial MDP meeting in Seenu Hithadhoo on January 12th, party vice president Ibrahim Zaki praised the work of the Fares-Maathoda hostage-takers: "More islands should follow that example. Hostage-taking, intimidation and threats are part of civil disobedience."
Closing the MDP's first national congress in December 2005, party leader Ibrahim Ismail (Ibra) stated: "We will shortly call for a nationwide campaign for civil disobedience. People serving judicial sentences should disregard the terms set by the courts; people serving time in house arrest should go out into the streets. People serving time in jail should revolt to liberate themselves, everyone should rise against the Police, use force if necessary”.
MDP council member, Ahmed Abbas openly called on his supporters to come out on the streets and “physically harm the families of Police Constables and National Security Services personnel”, on MDP owned newspaper, “Minivan News” (2nd August 2004 issue). Fahala Saeed, the editor of Minivan News, on the issue of 9th January 2006, has further repeated these calls. Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) analysts believe that these “terrorist incitements” were not aired on the online version in an effort to hoodwink foreign observers.
"People in all islands should follow these instructions. The police will have no cells to lock up these people in. The state will be powerless; the government will fall within weeks." Ibra insisted. Ibra reiterated these views while talking to a group of Maldivian students based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Ibra also told these students that Mr Tan Sri Musa bin Hitam, the former Malaysian Prime Minister expressed his support for the MDP’s civil disobedience campaign during Mr Hitam’s meeting with Ibra at the Vistana Hotel. Ibra informed the students the “good news” of Mr Hitam’s support at a dinner hosted by Abdulla Haseen (former editor of Adduvas) at the Idaman Putera Condominium on Eid Day (10th January 2006).
Analysts have commented that the MDP are trying to manipulate its grass-roots supporters who do not know the real concepts behind the philosophy of civil disobedience. “They [MDP grass-roots supporters] will believe anything they are told by Ibra. He has told them that civil disobedience involves breaking rules and regulations wherever possible, and confronting Police and Security personnel. Ibra even went on to tell them that, if need be, if their [MDP] point of view was not believed, violence can be used legitimately under civil disobedience. This is utter rubbish. Civil disobedience does not involve violence” Ali Faiz, the CEO of Villa Fishing Company Limited told olhuala.com.
Analysts and the local press have termed the MDP’s proposed campaign as “the MDP’s campaign of civil violence”.
Click to read full article
Editorial - Hussain Umar
The MDP has declared a campaign of 'civil disobedience' in their attempt to try and overthrow the constitutionally elected Maldivian government. The campaign is based on the MDP leadership's belief that the common MDP member is ignorant and uneducated; they promote violent, criminal activities and civil violence as part of civil disobedience.
In a meeting held at Imaadhudhdheen School held last night (the 14th of January 2006) the MDP's national executive passed a resolution calling on all 'MDP members and supporters involved in the public sector to either not turn up for work or to impede the work of government departments' starting from Sunday. However, this is only a culmination of many months of 'education of the masses on civil disobedience' by the party leadership.
MDP grass roots activists have been painted a picture of a 'civil disobedience’ that no encyclopaedia or history textbook can offer. While political philosophers are agreed that civil disobedience include activities 'that disobey civil laws without any violent activity', the MDP has indoctrinated its followers to the contrary: "Civil disobedience include violence against the Police, intimidation, arson and vandalism".
Speaking at the controversial MDP meeting in Seenu Hithadhoo on January 12th, party vice president Ibrahim Zaki praised the work of the Fares-Maathoda hostage-takers: "More islands should follow that example. Hostage-taking, intimidation and threats are part of civil disobedience."
Closing the MDP's first national congress in December 2005, party leader Ibrahim Ismail (Ibra) stated: "We will shortly call for a nationwide campaign for civil disobedience. People serving judicial sentences should disregard the terms set by the courts; people serving time in house arrest should go out into the streets. People serving time in jail should revolt to liberate themselves, everyone should rise against the Police, use force if necessary”.
MDP council member, Ahmed Abbas openly called on his supporters to come out on the streets and “physically harm the families of Police Constables and National Security Services personnel”, on MDP owned newspaper, “Minivan News” (2nd August 2004 issue). Fahala Saeed, the editor of Minivan News, on the issue of 9th January 2006, has further repeated these calls. Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) analysts believe that these “terrorist incitements” were not aired on the online version in an effort to hoodwink foreign observers.
"People in all islands should follow these instructions. The police will have no cells to lock up these people in. The state will be powerless; the government will fall within weeks." Ibra insisted. Ibra reiterated these views while talking to a group of Maldivian students based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Ibra also told these students that Mr Tan Sri Musa bin Hitam, the former Malaysian Prime Minister expressed his support for the MDP’s civil disobedience campaign during Mr Hitam’s meeting with Ibra at the Vistana Hotel. Ibra informed the students the “good news” of Mr Hitam’s support at a dinner hosted by Abdulla Haseen (former editor of Adduvas) at the Idaman Putera Condominium on Eid Day (10th January 2006).
Analysts have commented that the MDP are trying to manipulate its grass-roots supporters who do not know the real concepts behind the philosophy of civil disobedience. “They [MDP grass-roots supporters] will believe anything they are told by Ibra. He has told them that civil disobedience involves breaking rules and regulations wherever possible, and confronting Police and Security personnel. Ibra even went on to tell them that, if need be, if their [MDP] point of view was not believed, violence can be used legitimately under civil disobedience. This is utter rubbish. Civil disobedience does not involve violence” Ali Faiz, the CEO of Villa Fishing Company Limited told olhuala.com.
Analysts and the local press have termed the MDP’s proposed campaign as “the MDP’s campaign of civil violence”.
Click to read full article