Monday, January 28, 2008

Society registered as New Maldives Movement

A civil society has been registered under New Maldives Movement. Ministry of Home Affairs has given confirmation of registration of a society under New Maldives Movement yesterday. According to the ministry the 2 founder members of the newly registered New Maldives Movement are Hassan Habeeb of Kodhihparu / Galholu and Ibrahim Saidh of Dhilhusheege /Ha. Kelaa.

Speaking to Miadhu on the objectives of the society, founder member Ibrahim Saidh said the society would be engaged in activities that are beneficial to the community. He said the memorandum of the articles of the society state that developing young people as pillars of the community and establishing a peaceful and harmonious environment are the key objectives.

Asked whether the society would be engaged in any political activities, Ibrahim replied increasing awareness of young people was one of the key objectives and as such increasing political awareness would be given priority.

The society was registered at a time when former Foreign Minister Dr. Ahmed Shaheed, Former Attorney General Dr. Hassan Saeed and Former Justice Minister Mohamed Jameel was operating a civil movement under the name of New Maldives Movement both abroad and at home. The ex ministers started operating under the name New Maldives when they were serving the government. Consequently the ex ministers were referred to by the media as well as by government officials and institutions as the New Maldives.

As such Maidhu asked Dr. Abdulla Washeed, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs why a society was allowed to be registered in the same name when another group of people were very openly and widely using the same name. Dr. Waheed replied, as long as the people who want a society to be registered are not in violation of the regulation that governs the registration of such societies then it is the responsibility of the government to register it.

Dr. Ahmed Shaheed one of the founder members of the original New Maldives Movement speaking to Miadhu on the registration issue said that their New Maldives was a movement and as such need not be registered. He said New Maldives Movement was functioning with the support of the people and is linked to people’s vision of the future.

“We are within the constitutional boundary, New Maldives Movement is functioning with support of the people and is linked to their vision of the future, we are like waves beaching on to the shores, even in Thinadhoo I have said that how can we register it, it is like cool breeze that caress your face” said Dr. Shaheed.

When asked to comment on the civil society that was registered as New Maldives Movement, Dr Shaheed replied that it was an act of the leader of Dhivehi Rayithunge Party (DRP). When reminded of his comment at Thinadhoo that the Home Minister would never allow such a thing to happen, Dr. Shaheed replied that he was not surprised. Dr. Shaheed replied that he is not too concerned about the new society being registered but that it was an attempt to confuse the public.

Dr. Shaheed said the reform work would not be affected and that they would still continue reform work under New Maldives.

A famous lawyer on the issue told Miadhu that if a flag and a logo are used then it contradicts the regulations on associations and societies. He said movements are usually recognized and referred to by the name given by the people who support and accept their work. In this regard he noted that Mahatma Gandhi and National Mandela Movement were named by their supporters.

Dr. Shaheed when asked to comment on the lawyers remarks replied, the New Maldives was formed on the same basis.

“We were named New Maldives by the media, an AFP reporter called us the New Maldives in an article he wrote, and then Minivan News, we are a movement working for reform” said Dr. Shaheed.

Concerning the logo and flag Dr. Shaheed replied that such things are symbolic and are subject to changes. He further said each and every group of people needs their own identity.

Dr Shaheed further said New Maldives was not registered because they were being recognized by the government and the media as well as by other international organizations. He said the movement would in future operate as a free movement.

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