He marked the first year of the anniversary by sitting right at the center of the Republican Square with his colleagues and ended up in police custody. Maldivian National Security Personnel [NSS] then forcefully removed him and his colleagues. It was the current president of the Maldives and former chairman of Maldivian Democratic Party; MDP, Mr. Mohamed Nasheed. Even though then in 2005, he could not celebrate the day as he wanted, this year he could and has decided to celebrate it, of course this time not as before by sitting cross legged at the republican square.

Black Friday or August 13, 2004, was the crackdown by the Maldivian National Security Service (NSS) on a peaceful protest in the capital city of the Maldives, Malé. It was one of the largest such protest in the country's history. What started as a peaceful demonstration ended up after 22 hours, as one of the country's darkest day in recent history. Several people were severely injured as NSS personnel used riot batons and teargas on unarmed civilians. And several members of the parliament, former cabinet ministers, and many “reformists” were arrested. For the second time in Maldives history — president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom declared a State of Emergency in Malé and the nearby islands a few minutes after the crackdown.

During the time when the events were unfolding in the year 2004, I was studying in the 11th grade. And I still remember how the mood was then amongst my islanders and at home. Every one was terrified and shocked to see the images of buildings being burnt, people getting injured and at the scenes of total anarchy. Of course the islanders depended on TVM and VOM for the news as the phone lines and internet was cut off. What we could only see was the images of buildings on fire, damage and destruction sweeping across the capital city. Every one thought that it was the end of Maumoon’s rule.

At around 8pm on 13th August, one of my brothers who was in male’ called and said
“Male’ is on fire, every thing seems out of control and police beating up people and people are beating up the police, I’m worried about Ali [my brother who works in NSS]”

That was sad news of course, but then just after few minutes the president appeared on TVM and said that “few” people gathered near NSS headquarters and described the gathering as illegal. He assured the people that everything was under control and he “will not” let the circumstances to deteriorate. But my family was not totally confident of his assurance, as we were not able to see the real picture from what they showed us on national TV. Some of the islanders however, did believe him.

Whoever believes what, there is no debate, whatsoever, that black Friday was chaotic indeed. The chaos that spread was terrifying, but it was a day that we Maldivians showed a desire for change. The need for a better democracy and freedom. The frustration over the slow reform process was over whelming. And the government was forced to accept that the people were no more silent and that change was inevitable. It is for this reason i believe that it is of good value to celebrate this day.
Every government that comes to power should remember that if they go against the will of the people, the people will not sit back silent and let the government do as it pleases. The people and the government should work together to strengthen each other and not be two entities that opposes each other.