It cannot be just an ordinary coincidence that, on the 22nd anniversary of the events of 12–13 August 2004 — remembered as Black Friday — I met Raees Ibu Solih and lawyer Ahmed Muizzu at the wedding reception of former Attorney General Ibrahim Riffath at HIH.
The meeting immediately brought back memories of those extraordinary days 22 years ago. On the night of 12 August and early morning of 13th August 2004, I worked alongside Ibu Solih and other members of the Reform Movement at Jumhooree Maidan (Republic Square), coordinating, negotiating and helping to manage the huge crowd that had gathered there that night. It was a tense and defining moment in our country’s political history and in the struggle for democratic reform.
Later on the night of 13th August, I was among the many reformers who were arrested, including several of my fellow Special Majlis members, and we were taken to Dhoonidhoo Detention Centre. Lawyer Ahmed Muizzu represented me and many others who had been arrested and detained. Ibu was not arrested, but while we were being held at Dhoonidhoo, he visited us on behalf of the Majlis to check on our welfare.
Twenty-two years have passed, and our lives have taken us along many different paths. Yet, meeting these two men again on the very anniversary of those events brought those memories vividly back to me — the uncertainty and difficulties of those days, but also the courage, solidarity and determination of so many people who wanted to see meaningful political reform in the Maldives.
Perhaps it was simply a coincidence that the three of us found ourselves together again on 13 August, 22 years later. But given the history we share from that night, it certainly did not feel like an ordinary one.
- Dr Hussain Rasheed Hassan
The meeting immediately brought back memories of those extraordinary days 22 years ago. On the night of 12 August and early morning of 13th August 2004, I worked alongside Ibu Solih and other members of the Reform Movement at Jumhooree Maidan (Republic Square), coordinating, negotiating and helping to manage the huge crowd that had gathered there that night. It was a tense and defining moment in our country’s political history and in the struggle for democratic reform.
Later on the night of 13th August, I was among the many reformers who were arrested, including several of my fellow Special Majlis members, and we were taken to Dhoonidhoo Detention Centre. Lawyer Ahmed Muizzu represented me and many others who had been arrested and detained. Ibu was not arrested, but while we were being held at Dhoonidhoo, he visited us on behalf of the Majlis to check on our welfare.
Twenty-two years have passed, and our lives have taken us along many different paths. Yet, meeting these two men again on the very anniversary of those events brought those memories vividly back to me — the uncertainty and difficulties of those days, but also the courage, solidarity and determination of so many people who wanted to see meaningful political reform in the Maldives.
Perhaps it was simply a coincidence that the three of us found ourselves together again on 13 August, 22 years later. But given the history we share from that night, it certainly did not feel like an ordinary one.
- Dr Hussain Rasheed Hassan
The same man who abused his authority as Customs chief by gold plating the state emblem onto customs car, sparking public fury that forced his removal, has now been handed control of traffic management in Male.
Putting someone who treated a vehicle as a personal trophy in charge of the capital’s roads and vehicles is not just tone deaf. It is reckless.
That Muizzu still went ahead and appointed him exposes just how poor his judgment really is.
Putting someone who treated a vehicle as a personal trophy in charge of the capital’s roads and vehicles is not just tone deaf. It is reckless.
That Muizzu still went ahead and appointed him exposes just how poor his judgment really is.
Muizzu Aai Muththib Edhanee Raajjeyge Gaanoonu Asaasee Aai Kandaelhigen Khilaafve Dhaulathuge Minivankamaai Dhaulathuge Salaamai Compromise Kuramun. Miee Sifain Gaanoonu Asaasee Nagahattan Vee Vaguthu
Eagles Hill Yahoodhee Deal Aai Medhu Jamiyathul Salaf Hanu Ove Nuseedhaa Gothun Ehbaarulun Dhinumakee Bodu Jareemaa Eh
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Be careful about Midhuam Saud.
This is someone with close, long-standing ties to China — studied there, led Maldives-China trade and cultural groups, and still puts Chinese characters right in his Twitter profile name. Who else does that? Not exactly the profile of someone who’s purely Maldivian in orientation.
He was also a key voice amplifying the IndiaOut propaganda that helped brainwash enough swing voters in the 2023 election. The same messaging that helped install the current government.
This is someone with close, long-standing ties to China — studied there, led Maldives-China trade and cultural groups, and still puts Chinese characters right in his Twitter profile name. Who else does that? Not exactly the profile of someone who’s purely Maldivian in orientation.
He was also a key voice amplifying the IndiaOut propaganda that helped brainwash enough swing voters in the 2023 election. The same messaging that helped install the current government.
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