Why I'm rooting for Mohamed Nasheed this year.

 This is my first voting experience if you discount the number of times I voted for posts back in school where campaigning were a good excuse to cut class and eat free candy, which was only a few months ago. I felt like an important aspect of the country and wanted to do this right, so I decided to be a good citizen and judge all candidates by reviewing their actions in the past, as everyone should. The candidate who struck interest most in me was former President Mohamed Nasheed, and these are the reasons why I’m rooting for him this time.  

He obeys the constitution.

Mohamed Nasheed is a preacher of Democracy, and is often referred to as the person who revolutionized democracy in Maldives. One of the main aspects of a democratically ruled country is the Constitution, where bills are passed according to the majority of votes in favor; the point being that the country is run by the citizens and even the president could not be above the Constitution. And my point being that former President Mohamed Nasheed does obey the Constitution and sticks to his much advertised agenda of him being the paternal figure of democracy.

Well, at least he tries to.

The biggest of all commotions Maldives witnessed in history was the illegal detention of Judge Abdullah Gazi, which was believed to have been the prime cause of Anni’s regime’s fall. The MNDF had barged in to Abdullah Gazi’s home and had arrested him against the orders of court, during Mohamed Nasheed’s reign. There had not been a much clearer case than the illegal arrest of the Judge.

However, Anni did try to pass the matter claiming he did not command such a thing to be done, but logically speaking, his disobedience to attend court regarding the trial later proved to be contradictory to his words. It was at this point that the democratic reign felt more like dictatorship. When the ruler denies freedom of one person, he denies freedom of all. Constitution, Human Rights and Democracy be damned, who cares, right? This is Anni’s presidency, and he will do what he deemed fit! And if that’s not democracy, I don’t know what is.

Yes, he really is a god’s gift to democracy.

He respects Islam and is religiously conservative.

Maldives has been a 100% Muslim country for many decades, and have fought to remain so when we were invaded on some occasions. History has proven that there is not even an inch for another religion in our land. And for an Islamic country, it is crucial that the ruler must obey and not disregard Islamic principles and morals. Consequently, I’m making a bold statement that Mohamed Nasheed respects, understands and subscribes to all Islamic aspects.

Well, at least he tries to.

The first course of action he took after being elected (before the vows) in 2008 was forgiving and bringing back the deported people who had tried to spread Christianity in Maldives in the past. The question that astounds me most was not only why he brought those people, but also why he was in such a hurry that he had to fetch them before he even took vows. What kind of promises exactly did he make to whom that he just had to do it? This matter yet remains unsolved, un-probed, and suspicious.   

Another issue that amazed me was in 2009 when Mohamed Nasheed had outright denied the penalty of arm amputation of people who commit theft, and death penalty of people committing murder; both penalties which are evident and absolute in Islamic Law. And not to mention how he had boldly assumed that Maldivians did not want to abide by these Laws, without any research, poll or evidence whatsoever.

Moreover, in 2010, Anni had requested a non-Islamic country’s aid to rectify the Shariah Law which sounds outrageous, deranged, and makes me question his motive. Not only is he not in a position to alter the Islamic principles, but also, what was the damned need to seek aid from a non-Islamic country regarding the Shariah when Maldives are allied with Muslim countries who are much knowledgeable in the field? How he had managed to get away with these in a Muslim country is beyond me.    

This is not all. The dispute over the “monuments” placed was one of the events that led to his fall, and the 40 bottles of alcohol found from Muleeage after his fall speaks for itself about his views on Islamic principles. However, this is just a tiny amount of his religious perception; there are more indications recorded before, during and after his reign.

 But he’s still a person who values Islamic principles, right? He is just misunderstood, right? He had been framed all of those times, right? All of these are just coincidences, right? Those who seek the truth can put two and two together easily to see the big picture, but those who choose to stay ignorant will always remain ignorant.

He stands against corruption.

It is expected of an elected president to be just in his actions, faithful with the government and citizen’s money, and most of all, not to abuse his power, favor sides and nepotism. In other words, show intolerance towards corruption. And during Mohamed Nasheed’s presidency, he had been nothing but intolerant.

Well, at least he tried to.

Below is a snippet taken from MvExposed, summarizing Anni’s influence on job positions, thus demonstrating just how faithful he was to our country, or lack thereof.

1. Housing, Infrastructure and Transport Minister Aslam is married to President Nasheed's 2nd cousin Naseema’s daughter Aishath Rameeza. (Aishath Rameeza is daughter of Naseema & Beru Ramzee ).
2. Health Minister Aminath Jameel is married to Sikka Mohamed Ismail Maniku (kuda Sikka), whose elder brother is Sikka Ahmed Ismail Maniku (Bodu Sikka - the convicted November 3rd terrorist leader) who is married to President Nasheed’s aunt (father’s own sister).
3. President Nasheed’s close friend DIK Ali Hashim is Finance Minister, and Acting Attorney General. 
4. President Nasheed's father is second cousin to Kerafa Ahmed Naseem, State Minister for Foreign Affairs.
5. President Nasheed’s classmate and close friend Dr Hussain Rasheed Hassan is State Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture. 
6. Finance Minister Ali Hashim’s business partner Mahmood Raazee is State Minister for Civil Aviation. Razee is the nominee to take the Civil Aviation Minister’s portofolio.
7. Transport Minister Aslam’s younger brother Assad is State Minister for Finance. 
8. President Nasheed’s classmate and close friend, Ahmed Muizzu, is Prosecutor General.
9. President Nasheed’s classmate and close friend Husnu Suood is President Nasheed’s nominee for Chief Justice. Suood is also Prosecutor General Muizzu’s long time business partner in their joint law firm. Soood’s brother-in-law, Dr. Abdul Majeed is the Minister for Islamic Affairs. 
10. President Nasheed’s nominee for Speaker of Parliament, his cousin Fazna Ahmed’s husband Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, is MDP MP for Lhaviyani Hinnavaru. Ibrahim Mohamed Solih is also brother of President Nasheed’s long-time lover Fathmath Solih. Ibrahim Solih is also President Nasheed’s class mate and best friend. His wife Fazna Ahmed’s mother is President Nasheed’s aunt. Fazna’s father is Bodu Sikka, the convicted November 3rd terrorist.
11. President Nasheed’s cousin by marriage Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s younger brother Niyaz Solih is Deputy State Minister for Medhu Uthuru Province. 
12. President Nasheed’s cousin by marriage Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s elections’ campaign manager Mohamed Mahir is Counselor for Lhaviyani Atoll.
13. President Nasheed's cousin, Eva Abdulla (his aunt Zuheyra's daughter), is MDP MP for Galolhu constituency.
14. Eva Abdulla’s husband Saabe was, until last month, Deputy Chair of the Elections Commission. Saabe and Housing Minister Aslam are business partners.
15. Saabe’s father Ogaru Mohamed Fulhu (loan shark & businessman) is Deputy Mayor for Male’. 
16. President Nasheed’s uncle by marriage and Eva Abdulla’s father Deyliya Abdulla Mohamed’s younger sister Rugiyya (also Ibrahim Solih’s cousin) is MDP MP for Vaavu Atoll. Deyliya is also President Nasheed’s best friend Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s cousin.
17. Rugiyya’s husband Thoyyib is State Minister for Information and Arts. Thoyyib grew up in President Nasheed’s aunt’s household, Dheeframaage. 
18. President Nasheed’s uncle by marriage (Eva Abdulla’s father) Deyliya’s second wife Maizan Khadeeja’s brother Maizan Adam Maniku is State Minister for Housing, Infrastructure and Transport.
19. President Nasheed’s classmate and close friend Ali Shiyam is Economic Advisor to the President. Ali Shiyam is also the head of President Nasheed’s Witch Hunt Commission. 
20. Ali Shiyam’s brother Ahmed Hamza was President Nasheed’s nominee for Deputy Speaker of Parliament.
21. Ali Shiyam’s borther Jihad was MDP candidate for Faafu Nilandhoo constituency. 
22. MDP Chairperson Mariya's sister Ashiya Ahmed Didi’s ex-husband Dr. Ahmed Shaheed is Foreign Minister.
23. MDP Chairperson Mariya's sister, Haula Ahmed Didi, is Deputy Foreign Minister. 
24. MDP Chairperson Mariya's sister Rugiya Ahmed Didi is President Nasheed's private secretary.
25. MDP Chairperson Mariya's sister Rugiyya’s ex-husband Umaru Jamaal is State Minister for Gaafu Dhaalu Province.
26. MDP Chairperson Mariya's brother-in-law Ahmed Latheef (married to Fazeena Ahmed Didi) is the Maldivian High Commissioner in Beijing.
27. MDP Chairperson Mariya's nephew (Latheef’s and Fazeena’s son) Mifzal Ahmed is Advisor on Investments. 
28. MDP Chairperson Mariya’s sister Fazeena’s brother-in-Law Hassan Latheef is the Minster of Youth & Sports.
29. MDP Chairperson Mariya's sister-in-law Farahanaz Faisal is the Maldivian High Commissioner in UK. 
30. Farahanaz Faisal's brother Ameen Faisal is the Defence Minister as well as Acting Home Minister.
31. Farahanaz Faisal’s sister Shuweykaar’s husband Ahmed Rasheed is the Chief of Protocol. 
32. MDP Chairperson Mariya's brother-in-law Falaah (ex husband Abdul Sattar Ali’s brother) was MDP candidate for Maafannu Dhekunu constituency, but lost that seat.
33. Auditor General Maakun Ibrahim Naeem is Falah’s cousin. 
34. Vice President Dr. Mohamed Waheed's brother-in-law Bigey was MDP candidate for Raa Alifushi constitutency, but lost that seat. Bigey was a Nasheed’s appointee as President’s Member in the last Parliament.
35. Vice President Dr Waheed's brother-in-law Ilyaas Hussein is the Controller of Immigration. 
36. Vice President Dr Waheed's brother-in-law Naushaad Waheed is the Councilor at the Maldivian High Commission in UK.
37. Vice President Dr Waheed's brother-in-law Hussein Shihaab is the Maldivian High Commissioner in Saudi Arabia. 
38. Vice President Dr Waheed's brother-in-law Hussein Shihaab’s brother Mohamed Shihab was Speaker of Parliament in the recently dispersed interim Parliament. He is now nominated for the post of Minister of Home Affairs.

 Nepotism at its best.

Another big corruption issue was when audit reports revealed that Mohamed Nasheed’s government spent an extra of RF400 million on a parliament approved RF200 million budget. Not only a substantial amount of RF400 million had been wasted, also it’s illegal to spend a dime more than the approved budget. There goes 400 million Rufiya that could have fed the orphans. There goes 400 million Rufiya that could have aided your children with scholarships. There goes 400 million Rufiya that could have been invested in so much better causes, but were carelessly, inefficiently wasted because Mohamed Nasheed’s government failed to stick to the budget.

Moreover, there had been a number of other cases reported regarding his government’s corruption, including the Heavy Load Corruption Case, 24 million Rufiya Disaster Management Case, and let’s not forget the Ftech Corruption Case.

 Corruption is like an iceberg, what we see above sea level is only the one-third of its actual size. Our country is in the middle of an economic crisis, inflation is higher than ever and yet his government throws money around.

He wouldn't threaten our independence. 

Let’s not talk about the controversy regarding the suspicious and threatening relations Mohamed Nasheed has with other countries, because quite honestly despite our nation turning a blind eye to these details, it’s a universally acknowledged point that in fact he does has relations with countries-say England and Israel.

So let’s talk about the documents of his 2013 Manifesto that were recently leaked where it clearly states how the Defense Force and Police would be isolated from basically anything happening in the country. In addition to this, a new National Command Centre would be formed, and this Centre would be controlled directly by the Presidential office. If Mohamed Nasheed brings over his allies from other countries to be his personal armies, we’re most certainly done for.

                       

Source enlarge here and here.

Of course, MDP had denied the validity of these documents, but consider this scenario: you are the president. The country is furiously protesting and coming after you. The Defense Force, who was supposed to handle the riot and at the same time protect you, betrays you and takes side with the citizens, consequently, leaving you powerless and defeated. So the next time you sit on the throne, would you want the same Defense Force to be the one protecting you in fear of the history repeating? Wouldn’t you rather have a troop that you trust?

Moreover, the stories of Mohamed Nasheed’s family being a nuisance to our country date far back to history. His grandfather, his father, and his uncles had attempted assassination of presidents before.

This is textbook. Bitter history. Maldivian bedtime stories. We’re very familiar with these events and yet we refuse to connect the dots because Mohamed Nasheed brought Democracy. But you know what’s more important than democracy? Independence. Once they snatch away your independence, democracy will seem like a far-fetched dream.

Mohamed Nasheed’s family attacked with guns and weapons, but he attacked us with his tactical cold war. And he decorated this thinly veiled cold war with “democracy”. Violence and crime rate has increased since then. People have become divided. The citizens have fallen in to a spiritual crisis. This country is in chaos. So how is this “democracy” working out for us so far?

Mohamed Nasheed has been disobedient to the law, he is a man of corruption, his motive of making Maldives a secular country is mainstream, and him coming back to run our country again means jeopardizing our independence. And keeping all of this in account, why wouldn’t I vote for him?

We cannot afford to turn a blind eye to these actions; our current political and social turmoil wouldn’t let us. Our actions define who we are, not what we preach on a podium. I strongly urge everyone reading this to vote after researching and understanding the politics. I strongly urge everyone reading this to weigh the pros and cons and to make your own decision without being influenced by friends and family. I strongly urge everyone reading this to vote for the betterment of our country and not based upon a promise a politician made that may unfairly benefit you personally. And I strongly urge everyone reading this to exercise your right to vote.

Our country is too precious (and beautiful) to stay ignorant to the corruption and violence stirring nowadays. Maldives, please wake up. 

*Most of the sources for the article are from the recently published book "Mohamed Nasheed ge Veri kamuge shahsiyyath". Which is a very good book and I highly recommend it.*