tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787497629655181099Wed, 01 Jul 2009 11:40:32 +0000http://ibra2008.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (opinions)Blogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787497629655181099.post-2786694160488675036Mon, 15 Jun 2009 20:02:00 +00002009-06-16T01:03:21.271+05:00During the second round campaigning of the last Presidential Elections I supported the MDP candidate against the DRP candidate and one of the campaign events I attended was at Nalahiya Building. This particular event was targeted at civil servants. Present at the meeting was MDP candidate Nasheed, his running mate Waheed, and if I remember correctly, also present was Aslam (the current Transport http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IBRA2008/~3/4HaA9f3ZW-Q/sixth-promise.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ibra)40<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/IBRA2008/~4/4HaA9f3ZW-Q" height="1" width="1"/>http://ibra2008.blogspot.com/2009/06/sixth-promise.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787497629655181099.post-7423695728072933358Sun, 14 Jun 2009 20:47:00 +00002009-06-15T01:56:28.551+05:00“Nobody can rule against LAW, so just by saying rule of law means that you have nothing else to offer” (edu)Ever since I entered the front line of reform and politics in the Maldives, I have been talking about the necessity of practicing the rule of law. I talked about it in the first “Minivan Bahus” way back in 2004 (it seems like centuries ago now!) and I spoke about it extensively in the last http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IBRA2008/~3/-58Q3YgsHtM/development-or-rule-of-law.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ibra)7<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/IBRA2008/~4/-58Q3YgsHtM" height="1" width="1"/>http://ibra2008.blogspot.com/2009/06/development-or-rule-of-law.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787497629655181099.post-8650790429963833408Thu, 04 Jun 2009 14:43:00 +00002009-06-04T19:45:09.756+05:00Following the Parliamentary Elections, many have asked me about the outcome, both regarding the constituency I contested in, and in more general terms, nationally. I have not commented on either, other than to say that with regard to my own campaign, that I accept the decision of the public.The first question asked from me by the media was of course, whether the result of the election meant that http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IBRA2008/~3/dKXIgKLCVUg/post-election.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ibra)22<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/IBRA2008/~4/dKXIgKLCVUg" height="1" width="1"/>http://ibra2008.blogspot.com/2009/06/post-election.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787497629655181099.post-5331303222056450599Thu, 16 Apr 2009 21:36:00 +00002009-04-17T02:59:44.529+05:00THIS POST IS WRITTEN ONLY FOR THOSE WHO SUPPORT ME IN MY BID TO WIN THE MACHCHANGOLHI UTHURU SEAT.I formally launched my campaign for Machchangolhi Uthuru seat this evening. When I went there, I went with mixed feelings and some degree of uneasiness as I did not know what kind of reaction to expect. After all, this is increasingly becoming a highly charged election and emotions are starting to http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IBRA2008/~3/7V4Hru-rS6A/help.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ibra)114<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/IBRA2008/~4/7V4Hru-rS6A" height="1" width="1"/>http://ibra2008.blogspot.com/2009/04/help.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787497629655181099.post-4047449035340549015Sun, 05 Apr 2009 21:07:00 +00002009-04-06T02:10:04.796+05:00After 4 years of struggle for Reform in the country, we finally managed to bring about a regime change. Unfortunately, along with the change in government, many seem to have lost sight of what we set out to do : Reforming the country. We have become complacent again. I have said this before many times, and I say it again, deposing Qayyoom was not a panacea. The real work has to begin, before the http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IBRA2008/~3/iUbpyEPAc04/deep-cracks_06.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ibra)18<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/IBRA2008/~4/iUbpyEPAc04" height="1" width="1"/>http://ibra2008.blogspot.com/2009/04/deep-cracks_06.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787497629655181099.post-4100700131526987477Thu, 12 Mar 2009 21:26:00 +00002009-03-13T02:26:44.962+05:00Dear President Nasheed,I pen this letter to you with a heavy heart. A heart that is weary of seeing the same things repeated in our society, things which are tearing this nation apart.Our Party, the Liberal Party, joined your Administration at your request, to support you in your pledge to the people of this country to better the country. To contribute to and to take part in a process which wouldhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IBRA2008/~3/jqt2mnaSe9s/letter.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ibra)31<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/IBRA2008/~4/jqt2mnaSe9s" height="1" width="1"/>http://ibra2008.blogspot.com/2009/03/letter.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787497629655181099.post-678098354654234983Mon, 09 Mar 2009 11:00:00 +00002009-03-09T16:01:33.141+05:00Honourable Speaker, Honourable Members of the Majlis. It is my pleasure and privilege to address you today to outline in broad terms the state of our nation as I see it, and some important steps that I believe should be taken to steer our nation towards achieving greater prosperity, happiness and greater equality among our people.This nation of ours has been raped and pillaged since time http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IBRA2008/~3/Du93In43qgA/state-of-nation.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ibra)15<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/IBRA2008/~4/Du93In43qgA" height="1" width="1"/>http://ibra2008.blogspot.com/2009/03/state-of-nation.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787497629655181099.post-1223881640821889737Thu, 26 Feb 2009 16:35:00 +00002009-02-26T21:37:51.678+05:00Most democracies are built on the premise that all powers of the state emanate from, and reside in the people. Those charged with governance tasks are given a mandate directly or indirectly by the public to discharge certain functions o behalf of the state.The most daunting aspect of obtaining a public mandate is to face an election and convince the voting public that one is trustworthy enough tohttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IBRA2008/~3/tQtNe2IUB5U/public-mandate.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ibra)4<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/IBRA2008/~4/tQtNe2IUB5U" height="1" width="1"/>http://ibra2008.blogspot.com/2009/02/public-mandate.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787497629655181099.post-567917400732594459Fri, 20 Feb 2009 18:40:00 +00002009-02-21T09:08:13.654+05:00When we were writing the Constitution, one of the first decisions that was made by the Special Majlis was whether the Maldives would continue to remain as a unitary state or whether we would opt for a federal state. After much discussion and debate, the Special Majlis, by an overwhelming majority, decided that we would remain a unitary state for a number of good reasons. It was one o f the few http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IBRA2008/~3/XLf4G00T_OY/decentralization-or-recentralization.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ibra)6<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/IBRA2008/~4/XLf4G00T_OY" height="1" width="1"/>http://ibra2008.blogspot.com/2009/02/decentralization-or-recentralization.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787497629655181099.post-4905560867000123914Tue, 03 Feb 2009 17:12:00 +00002009-02-20T23:48:42.199+05:00Much has been said recently about the issue of “independence of the Judiciary” and the whole system of governance in this country is being twisted back on forth before it even had a chance of taking off properly. Before I proceed further on this topic, let me reproduce some relevant provisions in the Constitution for us to consider.142. The Judges are independent, and subject only to the http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IBRA2008/~3/o8xNGSVGYnI/judicial-independence-or-independence.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ibra)9<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/IBRA2008/~4/o8xNGSVGYnI" height="1" width="1"/>http://ibra2008.blogspot.com/2009/02/judicial-independence-or-independence.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787497629655181099.post-3772236666076405073Fri, 16 Jan 2009 11:17:00 +00002009-01-16T16:25:50.356+05:00The hottest topic in political circles these days is that of Parliament’s recess. When the Speaker put the matter to vote, I voted for recess. In spite of all the “spinning” that has gone on, I still believe that I made the right decision. Let me outline why. I apologise in advance for those readers who often express frustration because my Posts are too long. This one will be long. For the first http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IBRA2008/~3/SDSxJJPNsZQ/on-parliaments-recess.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ibra)17<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/IBRA2008/~4/SDSxJJPNsZQ" height="1" width="1"/>http://ibra2008.blogspot.com/2009/01/on-parliaments-recess.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787497629655181099.post-2175959245021986933Tue, 13 Jan 2009 21:20:00 +00002009-01-14T02:24:33.371+05:00The Supreme Court gave a ruling today in the Case of the Century. They ruled, but did not decide. The plaintiffs pleaded the Court for a ruling that the Parliament had violated the Constitution and that the Parliament would stand dissolved on the first of March. Surprisingly, the Supreme Court was silent on both counts in its “verdict”. I had always thought that people went to Court for a remedy http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IBRA2008/~3/Ce8ACXcBbs4/pendulum-is-swinging.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ibra)16<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/IBRA2008/~4/Ce8ACXcBbs4" height="1" width="1"/>http://ibra2008.blogspot.com/2009/01/pendulum-is-swinging.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787497629655181099.post-7022625104706550880Sun, 11 Jan 2009 21:48:00 +00002009-01-12T02:49:16.716+05:00The Maldives has made history, I think (I am not sure on this), by holding a trial with the Parliament as defendant. The Supreme Court has ruled that there is no immunity for parliament in the constitution. Among the reasoning for this ruling was that it is in the inherent power of the Supreme Court to take on the responsibility of deciding what is best for the nation, and that the Attorney http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IBRA2008/~3/hHccfpMx-l8/responsibility.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ibra)10<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/IBRA2008/~4/hHccfpMx-l8" height="1" width="1"/>http://ibra2008.blogspot.com/2009/01/responsibility.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787497629655181099.post-1570458371463920384Sun, 04 Jan 2009 21:15:00 +00002009-01-05T02:21:35.918+05:00The Maldives has been heading towards economic disaster for quite some time now. There are many factors, I am told by economists, which have contributed to this economic demise. I am not an economist, and I don’t understand their jargon half the time. So, I will just try to look at this from a common sense angle. I may be wrong, I may be right. I don’t really know. I hope those who know better http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IBRA2008/~3/4MYFuVlO4ZI/procrastination.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ibra)19<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/IBRA2008/~4/4MYFuVlO4ZI" height="1" width="1"/>http://ibra2008.blogspot.com/2009/01/procrastination.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787497629655181099.post-9008489002595443556Sat, 03 Jan 2009 22:21:00 +00002009-01-04T03:22:22.526+05:00Islam, like most other religions, or all other religions is a set of beliefs that one has about one’s existence, the existence of the universe, of God or a Supreme Being, of the Hereafter, which in turn impacts on how one conducts one’s life. Belief is a deeply personal thing, and religious belief is a commitment one makes to oneself, out of one’s own volition. No matter what is said and done, http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IBRA2008/~3/7qItqBJ0zao/being-muslim.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ibra)19<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/IBRA2008/~4/7qItqBJ0zao" height="1" width="1"/>http://ibra2008.blogspot.com/2009/01/being-muslim.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787497629655181099.post-471251883576144020Wed, 31 Dec 2008 19:01:00 +00002009-01-01T00:51:53.482+05:00Ever since Majlis remuneration was set at Rf 62,500, much has been said about it. The main reason for public dissatisfaction about the issue was, I believe, due to a deliberate attempt by the then Information Minister to try and discredit parliament in the public by immediately giving the decision huge media coverage. Television Maldives simply stated the amount, and asked members of the public http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IBRA2008/~3/Jh4kLMEmwFw/charity-begins-at-home.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ibra)15<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/IBRA2008/~4/Jh4kLMEmwFw" height="1" width="1"/>http://ibra2008.blogspot.com/2009/01/charity-begins-at-home.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787497629655181099.post-7308816563799910833Sat, 27 Dec 2008 08:20:00 +00002008-12-28T10:31:09.697+05:00I hope that the readers of my blog will forgive me for the long silence. Many have actually called me, asking whether I have stopped writing. For those who read regularly, I must tell you that the past week and a half have been a bit of a crisis for me on the personal and family front. Now that things have settled a bit by the Grace of Allah, here we are.This Post is dedicated to those who can http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IBRA2008/~3/ktpqG7DNUFQ/con-artists.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ibra)44<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/IBRA2008/~4/ktpqG7DNUFQ" height="1" width="1"/>http://ibra2008.blogspot.com/2008/12/con-artists.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787497629655181099.post-7574348139092268501Wed, 10 Dec 2008 22:16:00 +00002008-12-11T03:18:17.721+05:00Different people interpret the concept of liberty in different ways, and some emphasise different aspects more than others. For some, unhindered freedom of movement is of utmost importance. For others it may be the freedom expression which takes precedence over everything else. Yet others may ascribe deep commitment to the freedom of belief, conscience and worship. No matter which way you look athttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IBRA2008/~3/i3n68q0LmO4/practising-liberty.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ibra)35<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/IBRA2008/~4/i3n68q0LmO4" height="1" width="1"/>http://ibra2008.blogspot.com/2008/12/practising-liberty.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787497629655181099.post-3296120926367853315Tue, 02 Dec 2008 20:24:00 +00002008-12-03T10:02:59.707+05:00In my last Post, I tried to highlight some of the issues with implementing the Constitution and related issues in the emerging new system of governance. From what I observe in Parliament and government machinery, there seem to be more than our fair share of teething problems. Perhaps more than meets the eye?I have always believed that the benefit we get out of this Constitution will be directly http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IBRA2008/~3/VhowSLrtd3A/scary.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ibra)28<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/IBRA2008/~4/VhowSLrtd3A" height="1" width="1"/>http://ibra2008.blogspot.com/2008/12/scary.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787497629655181099.post-2316345746822020212Wed, 26 Nov 2008 20:54:00 +00002008-12-11T18:36:20.377+05:00Among much furore, we wrote a Constitution, which by and large, provided for the practice of democracy in the country. A key feature of the Constitution was that it provided for, and necessitated the separation of the three powers of the state. In addition, it also provided for the establishment and operation for Independent bodies, charged with specific functions.It might bring some nostalgia tohttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IBRA2008/~3/DhDTTruYCzQ/observations.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ibra)57<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/IBRA2008/~4/DhDTTruYCzQ" height="1" width="1"/>http://ibra2008.blogspot.com/2008/11/observations.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787497629655181099.post-2140895420782570973Sun, 23 Nov 2008 16:02:00 +00002008-11-23T21:14:59.658+05:00It was with deep sorrow that I heard of President Nasir’s passing away last night. I was sad for many reasons. First and foremost is that President Nasir is someone that I had admired for a long time, and it is he, that I believe, is the person who laid the foundation for the “modern Maldives”. I have said this publicly on a number of occasions. Second is that as a nation, as a people, Maldivianshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IBRA2008/~3/aQxzogvfWNc/living-years.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ibra)22<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/IBRA2008/~4/aQxzogvfWNc" height="1" width="1"/>http://ibra2008.blogspot.com/2008/11/living-years.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787497629655181099.post-945872400262340205Fri, 14 Nov 2008 21:17:00 +00002008-11-15T02:25:46.364+05:00I had a discussion on the state of affairs in our country with a learned friend the other day. A rare luxury for me these days it is, to engage in academic discourse, devoid of politics. Rarer still is the opportunity for me to engage in conversation with someone who does not have political interests. Hence it was a most refreshing hour and a half for me, just to have a cup of coffee, in a quiet http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IBRA2008/~3/zZMrqfWtgaE/power-pendulum.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ibra)32<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/IBRA2008/~4/zZMrqfWtgaE" height="1" width="1"/>http://ibra2008.blogspot.com/2008/11/power-pendulum.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787497629655181099.post-7839430944686283250Tue, 04 Nov 2008 13:50:00 +00002008-11-04T18:54:03.693+05:00Once there lived a King who was extremely scared of Rats. His Palace was infested with the vermin and every time he ventured into the garden he saw these Rats running around and he had to run indoors. Try as he might, he could not rid the Palace of these Rats. Finally, one of his Ministers advised him to employ a Cat to keep the Rats away from him.He employed a Cat to go wherever he went, and thehttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IBRA2008/~3/V1BJQ-Vd4ZM/king-cat-and-rats.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ibra)50<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/IBRA2008/~4/V1BJQ-Vd4ZM" height="1" width="1"/>http://ibra2008.blogspot.com/2008/11/king-cat-and-rats.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787497629655181099.post-6841957143271657642Sat, 01 Nov 2008 21:43:00 +00002008-11-02T02:52:48.477+05:00On the 28th of October 2008, the Maldivian people have unequivocally stated their desire for change in this country. Most of the people who voted for Anni probably did not consider what Aneh Dhivehiraajje may look like. While there were five issues proposed in the election by Anni, there really was no comprehensive set of policies on the election agenda. I believe people just wanted a change of http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IBRA2008/~3/oIL0_ZJ6qMc/shaneedh.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ibra)16<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/IBRA2008/~4/oIL0_ZJ6qMc" height="1" width="1"/>http://ibra2008.blogspot.com/2008/11/shaneedh.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787497629655181099.post-6536720516827286147Mon, 27 Oct 2008 12:55:00 +00002008-10-27T18:04:45.390+05:00Years ago, when I was a University student, I had the opportunity to witness democracy in action. I was impressed with what I saw and experienced. Until I arrived in Australia, I had READ about democracy and the rule of law. Even at a theoretical level, I had been taken with the notion of people writing laws for themselves, and then following it, and not be subject to the whim and fancy of a “http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IBRA2008/~3/WCxTmgVihi8/dream.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ibra)36<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/IBRA2008/~4/WCxTmgVihi8" height="1" width="1"/>http://ibra2008.blogspot.com/2008/10/dream.html