MDP to hold run in Majeedhee Magu after being denied permit from Hulhumale’

The main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has decided to hold its ‘Ran Reendhoo’ run and walk event in Malé instead of Hulhumalé, after the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) denied them a permit to host the event in Hulhumalé.

Speaking at a MDP press conference on Wednesday, the party’s former chairperson Hassan Latheef said MDP sought permit from HDC to hold ‘Ran Reedhoo’ run and walk event at Hulhumale’ on Friday. He added that HDC denied the permit, citing it to be a political event.

Latheef, sharing further details about the event, said the first ‘Ran Reendhoo’ event was initially scheduled to take place next Friday in Hulhumalé, which is a run featuring a torch. He explained that the torch would then be carried across all residential islands in the Maldives, starting from the northernmost islands and continuing to the southernmost, with the event set to conclude before April.

The aim of the event, as per Latheef, is to commemorate MDP’s 20^th anniversary and members who left the party recently rejoining.  

“The torch will symbolize everything the MDP has accomplished for the Maldives and its citizens over the years, representing the party’s contributions in terms of work, services, and development,” he detailed.

“As we send the torch to each residential island, we are also delivering a letter of appreciation from the party to the residents, especially MDP members and supporters,” he added.

Also speaking at the conference, MDP’s North Galholhu constituency president and former chairperson Mariya Ahmed Didi accused the government of attempting to obstruct the event due to concerns over popularity.

“If the event we have planned for 18^th is being obstructed, since the 26^th is the Independence Day, and guests are being brought in from all neighboring places to celebrate independence, we are deciding to run on Meejeedhee Magu in Male’ on Friday, the 25^th, to see how much freedom is really there,” she said.

The theme for MDP’s 20th anniversary is ‘Ekugai Gadhakoh’, which translates to "Strong Together." To mark the milestone, the party has planned events throughout the year. So far, a flag hoisting ceremony, cake cutting, and a futsal tournament have already been held.