The MSA(UK) Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) 2007 has ended after an action-packed three-day weekend in Manchester.

About 80 people attended the event and the various activities that revolved around it from 30th March to 1st April 2007. The EGM base camps were provided for the MSA by the two neighbourly residences of Dr. Ahmed Shafiu and Aishath Ali Naaz. The meetings and discussions were carried out at Dr. Shafiu's place while Naaz's served as the dining hall.

The gathering was packed with activities as had been planned and saw members tire themselves out by dawn the next day. By day, the sports and recreational activities went ahead with much enthusiasm ensuring that enough participants got muscle cramps afterwards! Dodge ball, football, tennis, you name it! An exciting game of Bashi was even played! By night, after official meetings conclude, members continued indoor games of carom, darts, karaoke, cards, lava baazee, "dhalhuvattaa" etc.

The official MSA meetings and discussions took place in the evenings of the three consecutive nights. The first meeting held on the 30th of March was dedicated entirely to the Go-teach project which was proposed to the MSA last year by the Maldivians in Bristol. The vibrant discussions demonstrated that the members are incredibly keen on making this plan a reality this year, with several members volunteering themselves for teaching in the islands during the upcoming summer break.

The second meeting continued discussions on Go-Teach Project, and negotiations about the amendments that has to be made for updating the MSA Constitution. In addition, it had a brief overview about the Rosemont issues.

On the third and final day, a formal meeting took place, attended by High Commissioner of the Maldives to the UK, HE Mr. Hassan Sobir who served as the Chief Guest of the Meeting and Deputy High Commissioner, Adam Hassan. The meeting began with a briefing by the Chairperson (2007) Mohamed Muizzu on the activities of MSA (UK) so far this year. He gave a brief outline about plans for the rest of the year as well.

HE Mr. Hassan Sobir addressed the student's expressing his appreciation of the intellectual wealth of the student's who are working towards qualifications in higher education in the UK. Furthermore, he praised the students of how well they have been managing and maintaining, no.9 Rosemont Avenue, the students’ main gathering point in the UK. Moreover, the revamped MSA (UK) website was also launched at the meeting by the High Commissioner.

The meeting also featured Ahmed Moosa (Sappe'), a MSA (UK) Associate member and two time Chairperson, addressing the students on the topic of "Social responsibility". He began with a tribute to the late Yasir Jameel, a former member of MSA(UK), who passed away on 1st April 2005. Members joined in for a minute of silence observed in remembrance of Yasir. Ahmed Moosa called on the students to remember the need for social responsibility in doing their best to provide the same opportunities of education and training for those less fortunate back in the Maldives.

The Central Committee would like to thank Shafiu, Naaz, Nadha, Abulho, Haulath and the rest of Team Manchester who gave in their time and effort for the planning and organisation of the EGM 2007, which helped make it such a huge success!

A great big thank you to all the members who attended the EGM, took part in the games and the discussions. We hope that all members enjoyed the gathering immensely. Hope to see you all and many more new faces next time!

- Check out the event photos at the MSA Photo Albums