President Mohamed Nasheed has today launched “Qaanoonaai Aadhakaadha” – Law and Culture – authored by prominent writer and poet Ali Moosa Didi on the history of the Maldives constitution.
The President also launched three poetry books, “Ufuraali”, “Ossaali”, and “Olhuvaali”, written by Ali Moosa Didi.
President Nasheed, speaking at book launching ceremony held at the National Library, he said Ali Moosa Didi’s work inspired and influenced him in his writing career.
Adding that Didi has always supported and encouraged him to continue writing, the President expressed his gratitude for Ali Moosa Didi.
Speaking on the subject of Didi’s book “Qaanoonaai Aadhakaadha”, the President looked in depth into the history of the Maldives’ legal and judicial history. He elaborated on the events that led to the first constitution of the country in 1932.
In addition, elaborating on the process of the previous Constitution of the Maldives, the President said Didi was one of the two members of the constitutional assembly who proposed to allow political parties in the Maldives. He noted that this was the first time Maldivians indicated the interest for organised political activity since the first political party – Muthagadhdhim Party – in the Maldives was abolished.
Explaining the history of the Maldives constitutions, the President underlined that the basic principles and rights in all the previous constitutions and the current constitution were the same.
He stated that the Maldivians were denied the rights they were entitled to not because it was not prescribed in a law. In this regard, he emphasized that the basic rights and responsibilities of citizens stated in the first constitution, as well as the last and the current constitution were the same.