My kind of candidate
The race for power, the top job, of the country is now heating up and I have heard a lot of speeches and talks past few weeks. By now I had thought my ears would have stumbled upon that one speech, that one clear message, that made complete sense to me. The speech that spoke my language - the language of the common people. The words that would breathe new life into our tired and weary bodies. I thought I would have heard the one talk that would have left me with a stirring sense of patriotism and made me proud to be a Maldivian. The words that would have made me say; yes indeed, we finally have found that honest compatriot, that proud Maldivian who would surely lead us into the future.
This event is yet to take place. If such a candidate exist and he made that powerful speech, I do not want to hear him say "God willing" between every two words and each sentence. God is always willing for those people who are willing to put in a days hard work. Why we must say it between each breath I do not understand. My candidate will not sound weak ascribing his success, should he succeed, and his failures, should he fail, to God. My candidate is confident and has character and charisma and I want him to tell me somethings.
I want him to tell me that first and foremost, we as a nation of one people, a people of one race and one creed, we need to respect each other. That we need to find a reason to respect one another. That we have all but destroyed that reason long ago in the depths of unemployment and unequal pay and the raging valleys of disparity between the rich and the poor. I want him to tell me that he will try to bridge the gaps between the rich and poor by whatever means he proposes to achieve that.
I want him to tell me that the reason our youth are disconnected from society, the reason for their lack of discipline and the reason why many are doing drugs is not because we have exhausted our morality as a result of dwindling faith in religion. If anything we have been less religious in the past. I want him to tell me that, no, our youth are where they are today because we have lacked one essential ingredient for a fulfilled life: happiness. I want him to tell me that we've all but forgotten about personal happiness. That he will provide affordable housing for everyone not simply because we deserve shelter, no, but because we deserve the chance to pursue happiness in our private lives.
I want him to tell me that before he is can establish a university in this country he will overhaul the current education curriculum for grade schools, standardize a system for nursery and kindergarten and provide substantial subsidies for private schools where our youngest pupils build their foundation. That he will ensure every school library is stocked with enough books and every science lab is well equipped. I want him to tell me that although he cannot fulfill all the promises on education - increased salaries to teachers etc - he will at least have the foundation for a better educated laid before the end of his term. And I want him to tell me that every child will receive a far better education than what we have had in the past 3 decades.
I want him to tell me that we need to find the reason to care and that a caring society can only come from education. And that he would ensure that children's rights are protected and that laws and punishment are in place for whoever violates those rights.
And finally, I want him to tell me that should he win the election he would be taking the reigns of a handicapped nation in the depths of debt and he would admit that in front of him lies a tough and uncertain road and that he is ready to march forward on that road not because he wants to make a name for himself or that he is capable of cooking up lofty ideas and promises but because being Maldivian he cannot bear to see his people, his compatriots big and small, suffer anymore.
mohamed | August 31, 2008 3:53 AM | Reply
It's not everyday we are going to witness the beauty of amending the constitution in a major way. And yeah, talk about the last 30 years.
There's change in the air. I just hope this country is not run by a goon surrounded by goons for the welfare of goons making a one big tiny bunch of goon islands.
Long Live Freedom!
a | August 31, 2008 8:39 AM | Reply
Agreed. For my type I will add, among other things, two points:
1. Work to amend the constitution so that there is no religious barrier for citizenship.
2. Women's rights
- Protect women's rights fully. (Domestic violence is prevalent according to gender ministry)
- Amend the existing 'sexual contract' so that women have equal say in marriage and divorce.
- Abolish polygamy, rather polygyny.
- Shatter the myth men are superior to women.
- Cabinet of ministers should represent this equality as much as possible
3. Leave all matters of deciding religious questions to the public sphere and to individuals. No ministry or council for religious matters. The thought is, unhindered debates among religious scholars, etc. should decide these questions. If the State favours some scholars over the other, people like, say, Dr Afrasheem Ali would be silenced. (Exceptions include religious fanaticism.)
4. Add to your curriculum amendment points. We should teach critical thinking. Real science, including evolutionary biology. Add more humanities and social sciences. Politics, psychology, sociology, international relations, and philosophy are necessary. Comparative religions too.
Cretin | August 31, 2008 1:45 PM | Reply
Fair enough. Well said.
left | August 31, 2008 4:46 PM | Reply
This is as close to it got for me
http://www.ibra2008.com/?page=audiovideo
Thukko | August 31, 2008 7:49 PM | Reply
Obama fever?...or is it a prophylactic apology for Anni & his Sikka mafia
chopey | September 1, 2008 5:54 AM | Reply
well said man.. totally agreed. My view is we won't see those changes in the next 5 years or maybe even 10. The current 45 years and above age group is to be blamed for what ever we have now; fact is still they dominate. Let them die off and let the people suffer a bit longer. No other choice; this is what the majority is asking for. Let them have the money bags and the religious mulla's and their fathuvaas full of fear messages. After all that drama we'd get there someday; but it's not today. That we have to accept. 'We have a dream'; but it's just not about to come true yet but it will be true someday...
hopeless | September 3, 2008 1:55 PM | Reply
having read what you've written it makes me feel even more hopeless. your kind of candidate is obviously the ideal one, but it made me rethink my choice of the candidates running for presidency now. clearly, maumoon is not worth pondering over, nasheed is too erratic, hassan had misused power while in office, ibra is all talk without action, umar lacks the know how, waheed craves the title for the power it brings and gasim with his rags to riches story has for years mistreated his own staff and though his manifesto is music to ears it is against gasim as an employer, a person and a human being. we need a mandela in our midst, selfless and truly caring about the people of the country. such a person, i fear will never surface in maldives, at least not yet.
Lolly | September 3, 2008 2:09 PM | Reply
Durin the TV Show...the guy asked Anni wether he would maintain an islamic maldives he said
"Dhivehin Beynun Vaagotheh"
He could have said yes...
This is clear proof that he wants to allow other reliogions in Maldives...
Anni Sucks...
thadu | September 3, 2008 10:28 PM | Reply
reading this entry as well some of the comments, it seems that "The Ideal" candidate is not a possibility. Even if there is a candidate who might say all those things, still the chances are high that the person would not be able to act upon the mentioned. so i think the best idea would be to vote for a candidate from those of who are participating in the presidential race, and this candidate that we choose to vote does not necessarily be of the highest of standards, but should be a trustworthy person who could or would bring the changes that we wish for, the capable one... ?
If | September 4, 2008 3:46 AM | Reply
I agree with "left".
Ibra seems to understand the bigger picture. I've made my decision after tonight's 'show'.
Born Tomorrow | September 5, 2008 8:15 AM | Reply
So far I too believe Ibra is the candidate. Why? He is moderate minded guy + his education Policy need to be taken in to consideration. Let's see. Another point is.. ibra is not seeking a second term.
Ahmed Afzal | September 5, 2008 2:22 PM | Reply
hi simon,
Well said ... I think you should run for the presidency. You have been gifted with oratory skills and what you are writing is what our public needs. I support for you as a president and also would recommend the candidates to pick you as a running mate.
sfds | September 5, 2008 4:39 PM | Reply
hi bro. you becmoing a running mate? wow.
check ibras blogs.
qasim | September 5, 2008 5:40 PM | Reply
Well said simon. What comes to my mind when i read your article is the different speeches ibra has given. lots of common language there. the closest candidate to your kind of candidate is Ibra. I think you should join hands with him and work in his campaign and add your ideas there. he seems the only one who is genuinly concerned about issues.
You Benanee Kiyankaau | September 9, 2008 12:34 AM | Reply
My kinda YES I found the man. That's Ibra.
Thom | September 10, 2008 6:17 AM | Reply
Hitting the nail right on the head eh?
Still, I think it's a bit idealistic to expect that much. You're right though, obviously, no one in the running currently offers anything close to what you've spoken about.
I happen to think that the right backing is just about the most we can focus on for now, because clearly none of the candidates are A Plus material!
al | September 10, 2008 4:57 PM | Reply
The whole post in short. Any person with secular vision fits the bill.
Destiy | September 11, 2008 4:45 AM | Reply
This country in a verge of change.. All need a change.. But it not be a change for the sake of a change... a change which will really bring bright future to Maldives.. I believe lolly.. If anni becomes president this nation will have all the relegions.. Anni sucks.. I pray to Almighty Allah that he will never ever win any election In this nation.. Dead To MDP.....
subcorpus | September 14, 2008 2:52 AM | Reply
"NULLIUS IN VERBA"
don't let policy proceed from mere perceptions of authority ...
thats one of the main things we need our people to do at this juncture ...
Athena | September 16, 2008 2:53 PM | Reply
Wow, what a speech. I seriously think you should consider writing speeches for some of the idiots who are running for president.
anyway, there is a huge gap between what we want and what we have. At the moment, its about making the best of what we have or isn't it? I still haven't a candidate that I could support.
but, great post.
Zai | September 17, 2008 12:18 AM | Reply
@lolly and destiy
There are already other religions in this nation, buring yr head in the sand and fervently holding on to the 100% muslim crap wont change it.
this election has sort of become choosing a desirable from a list of undesirables. but some are more undesirable than others... some even bordering on the ridiculous! I am undecided as yet, all i know for sure if for whom i am NOT voting...
shanoo | September 18, 2008 11:09 AM | Reply
Great, idealistic, wishful post, if such a candidate existed I would be out rallying as well..but as mentioned above theres no one who even comes close to fitting the bill.. my vote is still undecided..
p.s I dont understand why people are so agigated with allowing religious freedom, its not like we are already a true blue 100% muslim country. If we call for equality in every other aspect of humanity why not religion?