Stand Up 4 Freedom

Flower from aneh dhivehi rajje.....

Corruption in Coral islands

I present a peaceful country, Maldives, situated a few hundred kilometers southwest of Sri Lanka. Maldives, an archipelago, extends to about 870 km in length and is formed by 1190 islands, large and small, of which about 201 are inhabited. The archipelago is comprised of atolls and coral reefs and has a temperate climate, with an average temperature from 25 to 30 degrees Celsius. It is humid and has an annual rainfall of 2100 mm (84.0 ins), which enables the inhabitants to cultivate their local crops.

The Transparency International CPI measures the perceived levels of public-sector corruption in a given country and is a composite index, drawing on different expert and business surveys. The 2008 CPI scores 180 countries (the same number as the 2007 CPI) on a scale from zero (highly corrupt) to ten (highly clean).
Denmark, New Zealand and Sweden share the highest score at 9.3, followed immediately by Singapore at 9.2. Bringing up the rear is Somalia at 1.0, slightly trailing Iraq and Myanmar at 1.3 and Haiti at 1.4.
While score changes in the Index are not rapid, statistically significant changes are evident in certain countries from the high to the low end of the CPI. Looking at source surveys included in both the 2007 and 2008 Index, significant declines can be seen in the scores of Bulgaria, Burundi, Maldives, Norway and the United Kingdom.
Similarly, statistically significant improvements over the last year can be identified in Albania, Cyprus, Georgia, Mauritius, Nigeria, Oman, Qatar, South Korea, Tonga and Turkey."
Note: Source from Transparency International Report 2008

A ride around HulhuMale'...

Taken on 19th September 2008, Friday @ Hulhumale, Maldives.

Few minutes before breakfast......

few mnts before my breakfast.... Location: Hulhule Island Hotel.

Its that time of year again! Yes, I'm referring to the month of Ramadans in which Muslims like myself fast.
Yesterday we went Hulhule Island Hotel for Ramazan breakfast.. It was a wonderful day.... i mean sky,clouds,food and almost everything....
One of my foriegn friend ask me all the time, "Why do you fast?" Well most of the time I just tell them that our religion requires us to and thats pretty much about it. But the truth is that its actually a bit deeper than that. Our religion requires us to fast for a certain reason. The reason we fast is so we can see how much we should be thankful for. Meaning, when we fast we put ourselves in the positions of all the poor people around the world who cannot afford food or drink. We actually experience this feeling, not being able to drink, or eat but only till sundown, whereas many of the poor people have this feeling for many days, maybe even a week. This is only them month in which we try and refrain from bad things like...., so it should be good to try and quit during this time if you are capable too. In my own personal opinion I don't see fasting as a burden, I see it as something that will educate me, and teach me to always be thankful for what I have got, because I'm probably a lot better off than other people in the world.

British tourists turn their back on the Maldives

The number of British holidaymakers visiting the Maldives has fallen by nearly a fifth

There has been a sharp decline in the number of Britons visiting the Maldives, according to the islands’ minister for tourism.

Figures from July show a drop of 18.9 per cent compared with July 2007, part of an overall fall of 6.6 per cent in tourist numbers.

This is the largest slump since the aftermath of the tsunami in 2004, which killed at least 82 people in the Maldives and flooded the capital, Male. The decline has been blamed on construction delays, rising fuel surcharges and worldwide economic woes.

The Maldives, popular with honeymooners, usually attracts 100,000 Britons per year.

Abdulla Mausoom, the Maldives minister for tourism, said he was optimistic that the downturn would not last. He added that the number of Russian and Chinese visitors had increased by 63 and 24 per cent respectively over the past year. Last week, tour operator Kuoni named the Maldives as its second most popular destination, with bookings up 20 per cent on 2007.

Several new resorts have opened in 2008, with a further 63 resorts under construction. But a plan announced in June to lease another 31 islands for development will not go ahead, according to the ministry of finance.

source: telegraph.co.uk

Sunset @ Villigili

Villingili is an island just northwest of Male' and about a ten minute ride by ferry.I recently took a half-day trip to Villigili. Just to surf, swim, capture sunset and also to meet my friends.

Friday morning at local market

Here you'll find fresh Maldivian produce.One way to save on fruits and vegetables is to shop at local market.

Anti - Drugs & Violence Show 2008

Concrete Heart of Tourist Paradise

" The Maldives conjures up images of pristine white sand, shallow azure seas and unspoilt coral reefs.

Flying in from southern India, I could see all these - an entrancing sight as the plane flew low over wisps of atolls surrounded by crystal clear aquamarine waters.

But the capital, Male, is different. It is one of the most crowded places on earth.
A third of the Maldivian population of 300,000 lives there - in under four square kilometers. And that is not counting the thousands of Sri Lankans and Bangladeshis drafted in to do the menial work.

Male' is awash with building sites. There is only one way to go. Up. Eight- and 10-storey blocks are springing up.

The island has a busy, prosperous feel, with well stocked mini supermarkets, smart fashion stores, shops selling Hollywood and Bollywood DVDs as well as films, many of them horror movies judging by the posters, in the local language, Dhivehi.

It would not take more than 30 minutes to walk wherever you want in Male. But every self-respecting youngster has a motorbike.

Back streets have become huge parking lots. Traffic sometimes slows to walking pace. My taxi driver told me that tiny Male now has 20 sets of traffic lights.

Not many of the thousands of foreign tourists attracted to the luxury atoll resorts make it to Male. But their spending power has transformed the economy.

The country's average income - more than $2,500 (£1,260) a year - is well above the South Asian average

There is another side to the Maldives. I went there to attend a Unesco-sponsored conference on press freedom. There has not been much of that in the Maldives "
Courtesy of Mr.Andrew WhiteHead- BBC News.

Think Nation Without Maumoon

Born in Male' in 1937 to a middle-class family, he quickly demonstrated a sound academic potential and, following early schooling in the capital, went first to Al-Azhar University in Cairo and later to the city's American University; he obtained an M.A. in Islamic Studies at the former, where he also studied law and philosophy - academic disciplines in which he continued to have a keen interest.

His Degree in Islamic Studies earned him an academic appointment as a Lecturer in that discipline to Nigeria's Abdullahi Bayero College, a faculty of Ahmadu Bello University, a post he held from 1969 to 1971.

However he returned home to the Maldives soon and began his career of public service. His first important government appointment was that of Manager of the Republic's Shipping Department, which quickly led to his becoming Director of the Telephone Department. By 1974 he had well established his reputation as an able administrator and, consequently, was appointed Special Under-Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister. His first overseas appointment was to the diplomatic post of Deputy Ambassador to neighbouring Sri Lanka. This was followed in two years by his appointment as the Maldives' Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

At his recall to Male' in 1977, he was appointed Minister of Transport, and then in November 1978 was nominated as Presidential Candidate by the Citizens' Majlis, winning a record 92.9% of the popular vote in the referendum, he succeeded Ibrahim Nasir as President.

He assumed office on 11 November of the same year and on completion of his first 5-year term as president, was re-elected on 30 September 1983 for a second term of office polling a record 95.6% of the popular vote. On 23 September 1988, he was re-elected for a third term of Presidency by the overwhelming majority of 96.4% of the popular vote. On 1 October 1993, he was elected for a fourth term of office winning 92.76% of the popular vote. Again, on 16 October 1998, President Gayoom was elected for an unprecedented fifth term of office with a clear majority of 90.9% of the popular vote.

His overwhelming victories in the aforementioned elections should be scrutinized however, as elections in the Maldives are conducted by a public referendum with "yes" and "no" being the only options. It should also be noted that political parties in the Maldives are prohibited and these elections only allow one candidate.

Gayoom and his wife Nasreena have four children, two girls, Dunya and Yumna, and two boys, Faris and Ghassan.

President Gayoom is a member of the Constituent Council of Rabitat Al-Alam Al-Islami (Muslim World League). He was awarded Doctor of Letters (Honoris Causa) by the Alighar Muslim University of India in 1983, Doctor of Letters (Honoris Causa) by the Jamia Millia Islamia of India in 1990 and Doctor of Letters (Honoris Causa) by the Pondicherry University of India in 1994. He was also awarded the Global 500 Honour Roll by the United Nations Environment Programme in 1988, the International Environment Award by DRV (Travel Agents and Tour Operators Association of Germany) in 1998, and the Man of the Sea Award for 1990 by Lega Navale Italiana in 1991. In addition, he was awarded the Grand Order of Mugunghawa (the highest order of the Republic of Korea) in 1984, Knight Grand Cross of St. Michael and St. George (GCMG) (the highest order accorded to Foreign Dignitaries by the British Monarchy) in 1997, the World Health Organization Health-for-All Gold Medal in 1998 and the Shield of Al-Azhar University of Cairo in 2002.

His leisure interests include astronomy, photography, calligraphy, badminton and cricket.

According to Gayoom's official biography, he became friends after a state visit to Saddam Hussein in Iraq in 1980. Similar to Hussein, some of Gayoom's critics allege that he is not a believer in Islam, and uses Islam as a political tool to increase support. It is also alleged that some islanders actually believe he is third is the holy hierarchy.

Its pointless to talk about maldivian Present King(Maumoon Abdul gayoom) he makes the rules and he violates the rules and he beleives that he is the King of maldivian's where by he expect us to beleive it.. 30 years he has kept us in dark but i guess this want last too long, as every human being has to die one day. We all need a change. A Good change. No matter Gasim or Umar. Anni or Dr.Hassan... In otherhand, new Maldives or trip to another Maldives.. i dont know.. I am waiting for the next election..even this year election is just going to be another dark side election...guess so!!!!

*Note above photo took today morning...i saw it when i went to my dads place.

Rannamaari Challenge 2008

Rannamaari Challenge 2008 show already ended...winners are : 1st Kuda isse, 2nd Ibu, 3 Chin...
specially like today we shoud remember our loving surf legend The toni(Hussein). Tony "Hussein" Hinde died surfing on May,27th
Maldivian surf legend Tony "Hussein" Hinde died surfing on May,27th

Tony “Hussein” Hinde, the father of surfing in the Maldives has passed away, surfing his home spot at Pasta Point on May, 27th. He was found face down near shore and despite CPR, could not get back to life. What can be believed as a drowning happens only 4 months after the tragic death of his wife Zulfa. Which is an immense tragedy for their 2 kids, Ashley and Mishal.

In December 1973, Tony and his friend Mark Scaunlon shipwrecked in the North Malé atoll in Maldives aboard the Whitewings, a beautiful ketch where they were hired as crew. That changed Tony’s life completely. After a few months of refurbishing the boat, they realized how good the surf is. Tony once sent a postcard saying “I am thousand coulours away from home” And home became the Republic of Maldives where he turned muslim to be able to marry Zulfa and become a Maldivian citizen. For 15 years, he managed to keep the secrecy of worldclass surf in the atolls among a few friends. Which made it one of the best kept secret in the whole history of surf discovery. He was forced to launch Atoll Adventures in the mid-80’s and Tari Village because there were a few foreign plans to develop the surf over there. Tony Hussein always remain the landlord over the camp and changed to Dhonveli Beach & Spa in the early 2000.

Local surfers in Malé will have a paddle out ceremony outside Varunulaa Raalhugandu, the main surfspot in the capital to give a tribute to the memory of their surfing father after his funeral. He will be greatly missed by his family, Maldivian surfers and countless surfing guests that he took care personally at Tari Village and Dhonveli (now Chaaya Dhonveli)

Mobile banking boosts Maldives

The small Indian Ocean nation of the Maldives has begun setting up a pioneering system which it hopes will make it one of the first countries whose citizens bank primarily using mobile phones. (courtesy of BBC News Asia)

All the country's banks have been brought together under a single system to allow the islands' residents to pay money in and out swiftly without the need to travel to the nearest branch - which could be many miles away.

The Maldives received a US$7.7m loan from the World Bank in April, allowing it to begin establishing m-banking. It was seen as an ideal place to start up, with a relatively high GDP and lots of people with mobile phones.

"People are quite supportive, because the project is targeted at the rural islands, and especially the people who don't have any banking," Maldivian journalist Zahina Rashee told BBC World Service's Culture Shock programme.

"For example, in the 2004 tsunami, a lot of people lost all their life savings because they had them in a pillow or a tin can at home."

Queries

Because the Maldives are a widely-dispersed group of small islands strewn across the Indian ocean - some 250 of which are inhabited - it is not always easy to find a local branch.

As the mobile network on the islands does not support text messaging, the system works through phone calls - which has the additional benefit of being accessible to illiterate workers.

However, there have been some questions raised about the government's role in the project.

The government owns over half of the largest telecom company on the islands, Dhiraagu, which is the dominant of the two mobile networks and the sole landline network.

Because it would therefore receive revenue from any banking transactions made using its network, critics have asked whether the scheme is little more than a money-making fix.

Meanwhile others have queried whether mobile banking should be a priority when there are more basic concerns that they feel need addressing.

"What strikes me as funny about this scheme is that on the rural islands there aren't really any health or education facilities, and we're taking this huge loan to provide mobile banking," Ms Rashee said.

Do you know the name of this fruit?

Is This Our Floating Future? (source:SkyNews)

Sky News - Belgian architect Vincent Callebaut has proposed a solution to the problems of climate change and over-crowing: the Lilypad.

The Lilypad is described as a 'prototype of an auto-sufficient amphibious city', with individual lilypad able to hold 50,000 people.
The Lilypad is centred around a lake, which collects and purifies rain water. The floating city would have no roads and float around the world along natural tides and currents.

The city is powered by renewable energy sources including solar, wind and tidal power. It produces more energy than it consumes and would be a 'zero-emission' city because all carbon and waste products would be recycled.

Che - My Fav Freedom Fighter

For those that know Che Guevara was the greatest revolutionary of all time.my favorite freedom fighter. i believe in fighting for our social rights and fighting against capitalism.

"We must strive every day so that this love of living humanity will be transformed into actual deeds, into acts that serve as examples, as a moving force."

"Wealth is far from being within the reach of the masses simply through the process of appropriation."

"The road is long and full of difficulties. At times we wander from the path and must turn back; at other times we go too fast and separate ourselves from the masses; on occasions we go too slow and feel the hot breath of those treading on our heels. In our zeal as revolutionists we try to move ahead as fast as possible, clearing the way, but knowing we must draw our sustenance from the mass and that it can advance more rapidly only if we inspire it by our example."
- Che Guevara-

LIVE FREE O DIE

The island nation of Maldives has been in existence for over 2000 years.2 Until early 20th Century, Maldives was ruled by royalty kings, queens and sultans. Maldives became a Republic and gained independence from the British in 1965. The first recorded constitution was adopted in 1932. The local traditions and cultures are deep-rooted and people in Maldives are generally content and happy.

The regime of Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom in the Maldives is the world's only "secret" dictatorship. Gayyoom has been in power for the last30 years and has no intention of relinquishing power or reforming his brutal methods. Human rights groups, including Amnesty International have frequently raised the issue of Gayyoom's methods and practices. The international media has also highlighted these concerns but to no avail....but this time its ours!!!! thanxxx

Need more changes to our capital city...