SCOUTER OF THE MONTH – JAN 2011

Mr. Ahmed Ali Maniku
“AN INSPIRATION AND AN EXAMPLE TO FOLLOW”
Maeed M. Zahir | Hussain M. Haneef
www.scoutsofmaldives.com

“My advice to all the Scouts and Leaders is to respect the Scout Promise you have taken and to act accordingly to what is mentioned in that Promise” says the former Chief Commissioner Mr. Ahmed Ali Maniku.

Ahmed Ali Maniku, famously known among Scouts or Scouters as Ken or Kennedy Sir was the Chief Commissioner of the Scout Association of Maldives from 2004 – 2010. He is among those prominent Scouters of Maldives who plays a very important part in the development of Scouting in the country. Kennedy joined the Scout Movement in 1965 at 1^st Male’ Scout Group, as a young student of Majeedhiya School. During these 45 years he has loved and enjoyed the Scout movement contributing in determination and enthusiasm in trying to build better scouting in Maldives. Mr. Maniku is a 3 bead Wood Badge holder, an Assistant leader Trainer (ALT).

His services to the Scout movement are innumerous; in his long years of dedicated service, he had held the following key positions in the Scout Association of Maldives.

• Treasurer of the Scout Association of Maldives from 1988 – 1994.
• Assistant Chief Commissioner for Finance and Cub Scouts From 1994 – 2002.
• National Commissioner for Cub Scouts from 2000 – 2002.
• Prominent Member of the National Scout Council from 2002 – 2004 (Prominent Members as mentioned in the Constitution and By-Laws of the Scout Association are 5 members who are among other members of the National Scout Council, who are elected to the council, who accepts the Principles of the association and whose assistance would be of potential value to the Association)
• Chief Commissioner of the Scout Association of Maldives from 2004 until the National Scout Council appointed the current Chief Commissioner Mr. Mohamed Nazeef.

Mr. Ahmed Ali Maniku is also a Founder member of the B-P Guild of Maldives which was founded in 2002. The Guild supports both Scouting and Guiding activities in the country. In 2009 Mr. Maniku became the first Maldivian to become a member of the International Scout and Guide Fellowship (ISGF). He became an ISGF member in a special ceremony that took place in Malaysia during the 23^rd Asia Pacific Regional Scout Conference; the small ceremony was conducted by Mr. Brett D. Grant the Chairman/President of the International Scout and Guide Fellowship. B-P Guild is a member of this international fellowship.

Mr. Ahmed Ali Maniku did not only hold key positions within the National Scout Association, he has also served in the International Scouting brotherhood holding various leadership and key roles. Some of them are:

• Member of the Resolution Committee of 38^th World Scout Conference in 2008
• He also served in the APR Profile Sub-Committee from 2007 and 2009.
• Currently he is serving a three year term in the APR Profile Sub-Committee from year 2009 till the 2012.

He has also received several international awards in recognition to his dedicated services to the Scout Movement. They are:

• “The First Class of Boy Scout Citation Medal” in 2007, conferred by His Majesty Buhmibol Adulyadej, King of Thailand, as a recognition of Outstanding good service to the Scout Movement.
• “Scouts of Japan Friendship Award” in 2007 for his outstanding service to the youth.
• In the year 2009 he received “The Silver Lion” conferred by His Excellency Mahindra Rajapakase, President of Sri Lanka, for the services of the most exceptional Nature.
• He was also given the “International Friendship Award” from South Korea for his continued support and active involvement in International Scouting.
• “Medal of Excellent Service” from Malaysia in the year 2007.

During the last 45 years of Scouting Mr. Ahmed Ali Maniku had partaken in many international Scouting events, Seminars, Jamborees and Conferences. Among these many international events some of the conferences where he represented Maldives include;

• 17^th APR Regional Scout Conference , Indonesia
• 18^th APR Regional Scout Conference , Singapore
• 21^st APR Regional Scout Conference , Brunei
• 22^nd APR Regional Scout Conference , Japan
• 23^rd APR Regional Scout Conference , Malaysia
• 38^th World Scout Conference, South Korea

Apart from Scouting Mr. Maniku has been serving in the government of Maldives. Below are some of the services he has rendered in this sector;

In the Maldives Airports Authority;

• Administrative Officer
• Assistant to the Director
• Assistant Director ( Admin )
• Assistant Director
• Deputy Director

In the Ministry of Atolls Administration;

• Atoll Chief ( Meemu Atoll )

In the Department of Public Health;

• Director Administration

In the Maldives Airports Company Limited;

• Director
• Assistant Managing Director
• Managing Director

Ministry of Higher Education, Employment and Social Security

• Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Employment and Social Security

He has also served as;

• Chairman And Managing Director / Maldives In-Flight Catering Pvt Ltd 2002 – 2008
• Board Member / Maldives Airports Company 2002 – 2007 
•  Member of the Advisory Board of the Anti-Corruption Board -2008
•  Chairman of the Board of Director, State Electric Company 2007 – 2008
•  Board Member/ Island Aviation Services , 2000 – 2004
•  Board Member / Madivaru Holdings Pte Ltd, 2002 – 2006

He is currently working as Member National Award Committee at the Office of the President-Government of Maldives. He has been a Scouter who has always assisted the Scout Association of Maldives whenever needed. He has worked hard to create a better scouting image in the country and also had given priority to the development of Scouting in both Atolls and in Male’. On several occasions he has given priority of his time to Scouting rather than other responsibilities he had to carry out.

Mr. Maniku has personally supported the Youth development of Scouting in Maldives by encouraging, advising and at occasions financially supporting youth in Scouting. He has been able to establish a lasting and welcoming relation with many Scouters in both the islands and Male’. He is one of the most famous and well known Scouters in the country today also perhaps the most friendly and easily reachable Scouter in Maldives.

He continues his devoted scouting service as an advisor to the 11^th Male’ Scout Group (Madharusathul Arabiyathul Islamiya). Mr. Maniku is truly an inspiring Scouter and an example to follow.

Mr. Maniku gave an exclusive interview to the scoutsofmaldives.com (SOM Team) where he shared with us his scouting experience;

SOM: How long have you been involved with the Scouting, when did you join the movement and what made you join it?

Mr. Maniku: I joined the Scout movement in 1965, when I was a student at Majeediyya School. Back then Scouting was not a movement introduced to Maldives, hence I can say that I did not know much about scouting and there is no particular person who has motivated me to join scouting

SOM: What is so far your greatest achievement in scouting?

Mr. Maniku: My main achievement is that I have been successful in trying to keep my conduct in lines with values taught by the Scout movement. I believe Scouting teaches the most paramount qualities one should hold among the society the most important to humanity.

SOM: What were the obstacles and difficulties that you faced in your scouting career?

Mr. Maniku: This is a voluntary movement; therefore it is difficult to get people who will work voluntarily with total devotion and obligation for the assigned task. This has been and continues to be a major hindrance which we face in this career.

SOM: What is your most extraordinary or remarkable scouting experience?

Mr. Maniku: The opportunity to participate in the very first Scout Camp held in Hulhule’ in 1965 is a remarkable experience. This camp has enriched me with countless experience and satisfaction. This event and the memories has always been a motivation for me to continue Scouting.

SOM: In your opinion, being one of the former Chief Commissioners of the Scout Association of Maldives, what do you think are the immediate works that are necessary to be carried out in Maldives to improve Scouting?

Mr. Maniku: At this juncture it is crucial to handover the management of SAM to Scout Leaders who can give time to improve scouting. Apart from this it’s important that, No one must make an attempt to obstruct the effort of anyone who works for the betterment of Scouting. Similarly, we should be united within the Scout groups of Maldives with immense understanding among all of us at SAM.

SOM: Do you think that Scouting in Maldives has developed in the past few years or had it been the same in terms of quality and standard?

Mr. Maniku: Though Scouting in Maldives is not structured and developed as in other countries of APR, by the passage of time I believe that SAM has reached remarkable heights in gaining public support and creating a better image in the society. But, the question of “Quality and standard” today, is a very controversial issue. Some Scouters continue to say that the quality of the Scouting in Maldives has been weakening due to mismanagement and Lack of Important resources such as youth Programme and a Progressive Scheme upon which all can agree. But I’m happy to say that, today, Individual Scouting Units in Maldives are doing their Level best to develop their Scouts as qualified youth to uphold the societal values. On this occasion, I would like to recall some achievements of SAM during the past days to build a better image, which is an important goal to achieve to get public support.

• We were able to conduct a Children’s’ Evening in the Artificial Beach for two years consecutively. Events as such have been a good attempt to create a better image of Scouting in the Maldivian community.
• SAM has provided the opportunity to scouts of Maldives, to participate in the JOTA/JOTI events for three years. This event made way to develop scout brotherhood and love towards scouting within scouts.
• SAM accomplished a Promise Renewal Assembly along with all other member countries at the same time, locally at 8 am in all the Scout Units all over the Country. This gathering was inaugurated In Male’ by the Chief Scout, then President Maumoon Abdul Qayyoom.
• In collaboration with the Post Office and SAM, a Stamp set to commemorate the 50^thAnniversary of Scouting in the Maldives and 100^th Anniversary of Scouting in the World was issued.
• SAM organized the largest Jamboree held in Maldives on the occasion of 50th Anniversary of Scouting in Maldives. This is the largest Scout gathering in the history of Scouting in Maldives.

• The successful Album, ‘Dhivehi Scout Songs’, is the first and only album released by SAM under the leadership, supervision and the idea of my brother Late Mohamed Ali Maniku and Mr. Ahmed Imad Mohamed.
• The EARTH HOUR Programs in Maldives, 2009 has been a great success for Scouting in Maldives as well as at regional Level. This mega event in which the whole country participated was organized in collaboration with the Government and other NGOs in the Country. Also, it is a notable achievement that the main event of the Programs which was the switching off of the Electricity consuming appliances was inaugurated by President Mohamed Nasheed, by switching off the lights and other Electricity consuming appliances of the Presidential Residence.
• The highest recognition by the President of Maldives, for the Environmental Services “The Green Leaf” was awarded to the SAM in the year 2008.
• In recognition of the valuable services of the SAM for the General Public, in the year 2007, the Government of Maldives honored the Scouting in Maldives with the “Award for outstanding Public Service”
• Two Maldivian scouts have been awarded the Asia-Pacific regional outstanding scout award. The recipient of this award was chosen in Asia Pacific Regional Scout Conference. The Outstanding Scouts are: Riaa-yath Abdul Majeed (2006)- Ahmed Hassan (2008)

• It must be noted that Maeed Mohamed Zahir, of Scouts of Maldives, got the Runner-up of this award, in the year 2009 and he was elected as the first Maldivian to be the Chairmen of Young Adult Member group of Asia Pacific Region. This position also makes him an Ex-officio member of the Asia Pacific Regional Scout Committee.

SAM has been able to conclude international events in the Maldives. They are:

• International Seminar on Youth Development Workshop/Rover Section- 2006
• APR Workshop on PR and Marketing -2009
• Scouts of Maldives have participated in Seminars, workshop and jamboree and Camps held in various countries of the world.
• SAM was able to give the opportunity to the scouts to participate in the “Return of the Flowers” project held by the ministry, in which the participants were rewarded with the “Environmental Champions Award” – The highest award by the government of Maldives, to School children, Scouts and Guides for Environmental Services.

SOM: What are your expectations for Maldivian scouting?

Mr. Maniku: I would like to see the youth of this movement loyal and devoted for Islam with higher Patriotism, a day the youth being more helpful, caring and responsible to one another. I wish for a day we all be dedicated to the Scout Promise always and forever.

SOM: Which is the most memorable Scout Camp, Jamboree or Event so far in your Scouting carrier?

Mr. Maniku: Every Jamboree I participated has been memorable. But still as I mentioned before, the First Scout Camp which I participated, which is also the first Scout Camp in Maldives is a memorable event. It’s a memory for which I will cherish always.

SOM: What is your advice to all the members of the Scout Movement in Maldives?

Mr. Maniku: It’s my advice to all the Scouts and Leaders to respect the Scout Promise you have taken, and to act accordingly to what is mentioned in the Scout Promise and to be devoted to Islam.

Photos:
Scouter Ahmed Ali Maniku
Article, Information and Interviewed by :
Maeed M. Zahir and Hussain M. Haneef

*NOTE: Scouter of the Month, will be a Series of Interviews we plan to bring YOU our website viewers every month. We will bring to you information about a selected prominent Scouter of Maldives with his/her interview.

TAKEN FROM www.scoutsofmaldives.com