A group of NGOs, Transparency Maldives, Democracy House, Rights for All, Madulu, Maldivian Detainee Network and Strength of Society have joined together to conduct an Open Forum on Decentralization. The Forum is scheduled for Tuesday, 26th January 2010, 2030 hours at the Seminar Room of the Social Center. The Forum is open to all interested members of the general public.
A presentation on the concept of decentralization and community empowerment will be given by Dr. Simad Saeed and Mr. Mohamed Nazeef. Both speakers are experienced development practitioners in the Maldives. Members of the public will be invited to express their opinions on the issue. The NGOs hope to collate public opinions and forward these to the Parliament and Government.
Date: Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Time: 8:30pm – 11:00pm
Location: Seminar Room, Social Center, Male’
Martin Luther King, the hero of US civil rights movement, was born on 15 January, 1929. King is remembered for his messages of equality, tolerance and non-violence delivered at a time when US was deeply divided over racial lines. Long after the assassination of 1968, King remains one of the most respected and remembered figures in the US and his messages hold appeal in various corners of the world where the downtrodden campaign for their civil rights and liberties. As we Maldivians are at a crossroad of transition, we have much to learn from King’s legacy and messages.
Jadulla Jameel, a respected senior citizen in the Maldives, writes on the importance of tolerance, as International Day of Tolerance is marked on November 16.
By Jadulla Jameel
One thing that is obvious in nature is the prevalence of great diversity or differences. The blending of these differences creates a harmony, effectiveness and a beauty that is realized by us. Even if we look at ourselves, we see so much of differences in us. People living in different regions look different. There are so many different foods, customs and general ways of life.
The greatest challenge faced in establishing peace and achieving a good life for all is learning to be tolerant of the diversity and differences that exist in our society. Basically tolerance involves having respect for the differences in opinions; respecting ways of life of different groups of people; respecting individuals and their needs; and refraining from infringing on the rights of others. This could be achieved only through education, training and practices leading to freedom from fear with an open mind and attitudes that promotes tolerance. The correct form of education is essential and it is useful to remember as Helen Keller said “The highest result of education is tolerance.” When we stop learning through reasoning and tolerance, we stop progress.
Intolerance, leads to conflict, disrespect and many a time to violence. Many communities have in the past vanished from the face of the earth due to violence and many communities have reached greatness and prosperity due to the practice of tolerance. We have a vivid example in India during the time of King Asoka.
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Expatriate worker from Bangladesh working in Malé, Maldives. All forms of discrimination against migrant workers should be discouraged
In Maldivian society too, as in rest of the world we need more tolerance and respect towards each other. Then and only then, we will be able coexist peacefully in the present and in future.
Forty-one years ago, on April 4, Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated while on the balcony of Lorraine Motel in Memphis. The hero of the civil rights movement in United States was helping organize a strike for sanitation workers, one of the poorest workers’ groups in the city.
King is remembered for his messages of equality, tolerance and non-violence delivered at a time when US was deeply divided over racial lines. Long after the assassination of 1968, King remains one of the most respected and remembered figures in the US and his messages hold appeal in various corners of the world where the downtrodden campaign for their civil rights and liberties.
King taught Americans to wage a struggle of civil disobedience for equal rights while practicing tolerance and non-violence. He was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi, the leader of Indian independence movement. King’s speeches and writings have inspired civil rights activists worldwide.
As we Maldivians are at a crossroad of transition, we have much to learn from King’s legacy and messages. Our society is highly polarised along political lines, and divisions among us are setting the stage for potential violence and conflict. Our young people are in a void; without leaders to look upon, and finding solace only in heroin. Gang violence among youth is at an all time high, with young people dying or sustaining severe injuries in meaningless fights. Young gangs are used by politicians for their dirty games, while most politicians have a poor record of standing up for civil rights. Crime is eroding the peace and tranquility we once enjoyed. We take pride in saying that our forefathers offered hospitality to foreign visitors but we are being increasingly disrespectful and intolerant of the migrant workers working and living among us.
While our nation is struggling in the road to democracy, we have to learn the values of tolerance and patience that Martin Luther King preached. We have to teach our young people that human lives are sacred and that conflicts have to be resolved without resorting to violence. We have to learn to respect human beings regardless of their race, colour, ethnicity and religion. If there ever came a critical moment in our history to do a soul searching and turn to nonviolence and tolerance, that moment is now. If there ever came a moment in our history for us to be persistent in fighting for our civil rights, that moment is now.
First public forum held under Go Vote campaign
The first public forum under the Go Vote campaign was held at Dharubaaruge on 23 July. The forum featured a panel discussion and a question and answer session open to the public. The forum was broadcast live by a number of FM channels. The Go Vote campaign will include public forums, radio and TV programs, music shows, booklets and posters to ensure a high turn out and public participation in the election.
