Maldives Democratic Party (MDP) led anti-government movement، dubbed “Ending Injustice”، along with opposition alliance، Adaalath Party kicks off from Artificial Beach around the scheduled time of 20:00hrs.
Unlike previous opposition led protests، this time، the rally kicked off during night، and most of the key members who had been present during the infamous Mayday protest event are also missing. Namely، Adaalath Party leader Sheikh Imran Abdulla، who is currently at police custody، MDP Chairperson Ali Waheed، who is believed to be abroad at the time of this event، Sobah Rasheed، who recently took political asylum from an undisclosed foreign nation are not present in the rally.
Another important factor in tonight’s rally is the complete absence of Jumhooree Party and its supporters and leaders.
An expected outcome، as Jumhooree Party was confirmed to have initiated “non-conditional” discussions with the government، this week itself. Followed by a press statement from JP that it will not be associated with opposition-backed “National Activity” or the 12 June rally.
Earlier this week، head of Adaalath Party’s Research Committee، Shidhatha Shareef claimed that the 12th June rally will “intimidate President Yameen” by filling the roads of Malé، however، according to our correspondents at the rally site، the estimated number of people partaking in tonight’s rally is around 750 only.
Previous، large-scale rallies by opposition was participated by large numbers of citizens from various atolls attending exclusively for the event. However، the estimated amount of people who attended for tonight’s rally is a mere 500.
Meanwhile، famous religious scholar from Zimbabwe، Mufti Ismail Menk is preaching at the time of this article written، at Alimas Carnival ground.