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Comment from readers Emails received Sandhaanu sentences After reading your timely article 'Sandhaanu writer defies Maldives court' I thought I should write my mind. It is understood that anyone who goes beyond the line of criticism by any means will be brought to justice once he is found. Whether it is writing in Sangu, Hukuru or Sandhaanu. So the President has acted fast as usual and fulfilled his responsibilities. As is known, President Gayyoom has a very extraordinary quality, and his brother Abdulla Hameed reconfirms that quality to the author of 'A Man for All Islands'. (see pp 88 and 144 of that book) The President says he is aware that in the market place and in small tea houses, there are a lot of people criticising the government but he doesn't care, quote: "People do criticise quite a lot," he observes. "Go into the market place or tea shops...they say all sorts of things." And prior to this he says: "It is no longer possible for a person to be charged for criticising the government." That is true because it is the people's government, and naturally the people of the country will have a say. And it's a common thing among human beings that we have a habit of criticising even friends and peers. I think this honorable character of President is shown when you read p. 144 of 'A Man for all Islands', quote: "Its amazing really," says someone close to Maumoon. "When you see the President meeting Naseem you would never know what he has been involved in." Naseem was sentenced for life imprisonment on treason charges in 1981, involving a failed coup attempt. Maumoon's brother, Abdulla Hameed comments that the outcome demonstrates Maumoon's honourable character. "Even if someone is his enemy, he doesn't harbour ill-feelings. He doesn't keep deep personal feelings against someone. He forgives. It's a quality rarely seen in a President, in anybody." So let's have no doubt that the people who have been sentenced to 25 years imprisonment for writing in Sandhaanu will be released soon. The President is a forgiving person.  The children r not happy the children r not happy but they do not grumble it the maldivian way to be silent but inside we r burning hope u know the feeling the kids r not alright |
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Maldives Culture is an independent internet magazine of Maldivian cultural issues.
Editors and translators: Michael O'Shea and Fareesha Abdulla, Australia
We invite contributions from Maldivians and others interested in Maldives.
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