Boy Scout Troop 325
Scoutmaster Minute
Boy Scout Saves Maldives President
January 22, 2008
Larry Polyak, Scoutmaster
By KRISHAN FRANCIS, Associated Press Writer January 8, 2008
As seen in the San Jose Mercury News
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka—Residents of the Maldives showered praise Wednesday on a 15-year-old Boy Scout who foiled an attempt to assassinate the president of this island nation by grabbing the attacker's knife.
Mohammed Jaisham Ibrahim, wearing his blue Maldives scout uniform with a blue kerchief, was among those waiting to greet the leader Tuesday when the attacker lunged out from the crowd.
"Jaisham our national hero saves the president," the Midhu Daily newspaper cheered in a headline.
President Maumoon Gayoom was unhurt, but his shirt was ripped as the attacker tried a second time to stab him before being overpowered by security guards, government spokesman Mohammed Shareef said. The incident occurred on Hoarafushi, one of the 1,190 coral islands in the Indian Ocean that make up the Maldives.
"One brave boy saved the president's life," Shareef said. He added that the Cabinet will discuss awarding a national honor to Ibrahim.
The attacker hid a knife in the Maldivian flag as he awaited Gayoom's arrival, then sprang toward the president, Shareef said. Ibrahim reached out and grabbed the blade, and he was cut on the hand, according to the government. There was blood on the president's shirt, but it was not his but the boy's," Shareef said.
"He has become a hero," Ahmed Zahir, executive editor of Haveeru newspaper, told The Associated Press. "He is a very smart boy. I don't know how he reacted so quickly. He is very, very brave I would say."
Boy Scouts in the Maldives are similar to their U.S. counterparts, receiving training in first aid and participating in activities like camping. Their motto is the same as well: "Be Prepared."