United We Stand
ok not the most apt post title for this photo-but sitting or standing, United for Change!- photo taken from www.voteanni.com
Excuse the cheesy title of this post, but following tonight’s rally by the opposition alliance, it suits the purpose. Finally, deals done, wounded egos put aside, all opposition candidates (except for Umar Naseer) presented themselves as one to the public. The rally was long winded, with representatives from all parties given a chance to speak, but necessary, and the crowd definitely appreciated it. It was so full people were spilling out of Dharubaaruge.
It was interesting to see the reactions of the other opposition candidates in such a rally. At the beginning of the ceremony, it seemed as if Ibra and Dr. Hassan were finding it a bit tough to deal with their situation, but their moods and body language changed as the night went on. Gasim on the other hand was fully into it, waving his hands in the air, clapping and shaking hands with everyone. It does highlight the vast differences of personal opinions and baggage that each side brings to this opposition; maybe this diversity can produce a stronger and more credible unity. (Oh I’m so cheesy tonight, its slightly killing me!)
Dr. Waheed, Dhiyaana and Anni were the stars of the night for me. They, I think gave the most effective speeches. It was exciting, got the crowd going and kept the momentum alive. Ibra and Jameel’s speeches were beneficial in that they highlighted more policy issues on why we should oppose Maumoon. Dr. Hassan also stepped up to the plate. Begrudgingly or not, he purposefully ended by saying that he believed Mohamed Nasheed was the man for the future. Usually they avoid naming Anni personally, and instead ask people to oppose Maumoon and vote for change. This time however, he defined this change as Mohamed Nasheed. Although I am personally opposed to him, and I find the conditions he proposed for his acceptance of the opposition alliance, distasteful, I applaud him for manning up tonight.
On the subject of holding another election 15 months down the line -if the opposition alliance wins on Oct. 28- I am personally against it. I agree with Anni that we should never shy away from an election, I agree that democracy is seen through consecutive turnovers in government, but holding another presidential election 15 months after a country’s first multiparty presidential election, local council elections and parliamentary elections is a lot for a country of our size and wealth to bear. The next five years are going to be crucial with the newly established institutions to be well-maintained and new economic and social development policies to be implemented. People need to be fed, clothed, housed and employed and they need to see that the new government they’ve elected in can do it. Having a full on election after 15 months seems unnecessary, and I question the genuine reasons behind Hassan Saeed’s wishes for it. Are we also not giving Maumoon and the DRP an advantage, 15 months down the line, nothing concrete will have been achieved, giving them all the ammunition to attack the alliance, and then slip in power again. Or is this being too cynical?
No really, I prefer to be overreacting about this. Either way, lets see what happens. Atleast they all got up on stage together tonight, even if some of them looked like they’d been placed on the naughty chair towards the beginning of the ceremony! Oh you’ve got to love the drama of politics sometimes. No matter how complex egotistical, or frustating, we have a choice and it is, Maumoon or change. I for one, want change, and as Hassan Saeed – the dear man!- so signified tonight, that change is Mohamed Nasheed (Anni).
dhaitha replied:
oh dear! this is one hack of a picture!..its funny that it made me bit teary though..may be the effects of living abroad and being homesick! It shows how well these politicians understand the cry for change by the people!I’ve a lot of respect for their judgment and wish them good luck! Wish I could see a recording of this meeting in some way perhaps in youtube!
To the author of this blog very good ideas and well written.
October 14, 2008 at 7:30 am. Permalink.
hudhuhandhu replied:
well said Loamaafaanu, vote for change, thats what I am going to do =)
October 14, 2008 at 9:08 am. Permalink.
Ben Cina replied:
I disagree with you on who gave the better speech. I think it it was Dr. Latheef who gave the best speech. while his speech was strong, serious, factual, and psychologically effective i will place Diyanaa next to him. Her speech was funny made the listeners excited with an injection of adrenaline wile keeping the speech professional and good. I would give Ibra props too.
On the other hand Anni has to be trained on giving speeches that is a bit more mature. Of course catered to the Maldivian society. I think he somewhat undid all the psyche twisting the other orators did. First of all he did not start with the customary “Bismillahi” and mabe he could have added a little “solawaih” to the Prophet and the Sahaaba to appease the elderly crowd. He should have avoided making personnel remarks suck the one he made liking Gayoom to “rakisbondu”. Also the way he tries to make some of his points gets lost in the other persons perception of its context , anni said “sireese aharu hurevijje ehnnuhey dhen faibaashey”. I totally got this as hey you have played enough of PlayStation let me play now, sounded like a child’s justification.
Honestly guys Anni should be trained heavily or we can’t board the Aneh Dhivehiraaje flight.
October 14, 2008 at 12:41 pm. Permalink.
LOL replied:
LOL at the photo. look at lolly and buruma. everyone else is listening to whoever is speaking while these two jokers are posing for the camera. and lolly had to force himself into the pic. kekeke
October 14, 2008 at 1:01 pm. Permalink.
loamaafaanu replied:
Ben, I think the answer to this one is let Anni be Anni. He did say Bismillah, he always does. He says Bismillah, Assalaamailum before every speech. I also think a solawaih is a very personal thing to everyone. Each person has a different one before their speech. If Anni started using one now, it would just appear fake.
Anni and the MDP have come a long way, they are calmer, less prone to agitational politics, but you cant expect all the spirit to be taken out of the man. This is like a playstation game, Maumoon is like a child who wont give up the remote control. Anni did also ask Maumoon to ‘give it back’ because he’s been there for 30 years, he asked him to give it back because its what the “watan edhey”. We are now an alliance, but you’ve got to let MDP retain a little bit of it actual Haruge fervour, even with phrases like rakisbondu thrown into it!
I keep going back to this example, but its so relevant. When people who have been tsunami tents for four years keep voting for Maumoon, what does that say about the exact reasons on why people voted?
October 14, 2008 at 1:15 pm. Permalink.
loamaafaanu replied:
Dhaitha, I’m pretty sure some form of the night’s ceremony will be available on the internet very soon. Its worth watching.
Thank you for reading, I’m quite enjoying writing!
October 14, 2008 at 1:18 pm. Permalink.
Ben Cina replied:
its not Dr.Latheef its Dr Jameel
October 14, 2008 at 2:19 pm. Permalink.