Latest posts by Saffah Faroog
Maldives: Can a country so dependent on tourism afford a lockdown?
The President of Maldives banned all tourist arrivals in the country from March 27, 2020. This will impact the country's economy due to a serious shortfall in foreign currency earnings.
PHOTOS: ‘Silent Protest’ Demands Elections in Maldives
Despite several delays, the people's desire for presidential elections in Maldives was not dampened, as a photographer documents in photos taken at a 'silent protest'.
Maldives Rape Victim's Flogging Sentence Touches Off Anti-Tourism Campaign
Global outrage is growing against a Maldives court's verdict to flog a 15-year-old girl who is originally a victim of rape and sexual abuse. More than one million people have signed a petition created by the campaign website Avaaz.org, urging Maldivian authorities to protect the girl.
Vibrant Maldives Eid Celebrations – Despite the Political Wrangling
When the Ministry of Islamic Affairs of the Maldives announced that the 2012 morning Eid prayers in the capital Malé were to be celebrated in an open space, it created much controversy and debate. The news was met with skepticism from people who saw it as a political publicity stunt to show numbers, as support for the ruling government.
Maldives: Marred by Violence
The political crisis in the Maldives took an ugly turn Wednesday when the police brutally beat and injured supporters of the ousted President Mohamed Nasheed as they protested against what they claimed to be a coup that removed the island nation's first democratically elected president from power.
Maldives: President Resigns After Mutiny
Mohamed Nasheed, the president of Maldives most famously known as a climate champion, announced his resignation on Tuesday, after the military forces joined the police mutiny against his rule.
Maldives: On the Brink of Chaos
The Maldives is in a deep political crisis as the police force and some military personnel mutinied against the government in a follow-up to three weeks of protest by civilians. Details are emerging and there are frequent updates on Twitter.
Maldives: Rocked by Protests Over Economy
For seven consecutive days, thousands of residents of Male, the capital of Maldives, have protested on busy streets and public spaces, expressing their dissatisfaction over soaring prices of consumer goods and economic mismanagement of the government.
Maldives: In Solidarity with Egypt
The ongoing protests in Egypt have ‘electrified’ netziens in the Maldives. These uprisings have a special significance to the Maldivians as it brings back flashbacks of pro-democracy protests held only a few years ago to bring democracy to the Indian Ocean island nation.
Maldives to Egypt: Can a Revolution be Censored?
When the Egyptian government decided to go for a total Internet shutdown of the country to curb the growing anti-government protests, people in the Maldives were reminded of 13 August, 2004, when the government of Maldives blocked Internet in the country following a massive pro-democracy demonstration.
Maldives: Romance with Democracy at Stake
On June 29, 2010, the whole Cabinet of the government of the Maldives submitted their resignation. Thus began a highly politicized drama in the Maldives; one that threatens the country’s romance with democracy, and poses serious questions about the political stability in the coming days.
Dispatch from Copenhagen: Demands for Climate Justice
Saffah Faroog is one of four Global Voices Authors in Copenhagen during the United Nations Climate Change Summit covering the lively conversations occurring in the blogosphere surrounding COP15.
Maldives: Gearing up for Copenhagen
A series of events and activities are being organized in the Maldives to bring the attention of the world to the plight of Maldives being affected by climate change. Maldivians hope that a fair deal will be made at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP15) in Copenhagen scheduled for December 2009.
Maldives: Journalists at Risk
At least three journalists in the Maldives have been subjected to either physical or verbal abuse and psychological intimidation within a span of the last 10 days. The recent cases of intimidation and abuse against journalists by various groups in the society indicate that journalists are still at risk in Maldives.
Maldives: The First Free Parliamentary Election
The Maldives has witnessed significant political changes in the last five years: introduction of political parties in 2005; ratification of an amended constitution in August 2008; and the first multi-party election held in October 2008 which brought a democratic government. Hence, the parliamentary election held on May 9 was crucial as the new parliament will be entrusted with the task of passing key laws that will be a milestone in the country’s transition to democracy.
Maldives: Free Speech Under Threat
In early March Mohamed Nasheed, the new President of the Maldives, met with Frank La Rue, United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Opinion and Expression. In the meeting Nasheed...