Still Proud to be Maldivian?
I heard the news only yesterday and was reading it in detail with an unfathomable amount of fury and sadness sweeping over me. As fellow blogger Simon passionately puts it “…an amendment to the draft constitution that, in one stroke of the pen, completely eliminated the one article that should inspire us to be patriotic towards this bloody country of ours“.
A single barbaric act has made me loose all hope in this country’s political reform and the people who were entrusted to champion it. Not a single MP was bold enough to vote against this amendment (if you can keep a straight face and call it one) and only three politicians even dared to display the veneer of neutrality, no doubt, as a concealed act of defiance. Lawyer Husnu Suood showed tremendous courage by verbally expressing concerns for non-Muslim citizens who stood to lose their nationality and thus become nationless, even if they were abroad. You can only imagine the nightmares such an individual would have to face, besides the emotional distress of being robbed of his national identity.
A Haveeru article which reported the story had quite a few interesting comments attached to it, all of them mysteriously supporting and congratulating this abhorrent violation of universally accepted inalienable human rights. Several comments strongly vilified those few who showed the slightest hint of opposition (including Suood) while some alarmists went as far as to suggest that these individuals were somehow plotting a mass conversion. One extremely thoughtful individual sarcastically commented that “they [the apostates] could adopt foreign nationalities for themselves just like they did with religion”. [On a personal note, taking into account this particular episode and others, I’ve decided to singularly boycott Haveeru.This organization is systematically filtering out comments and ideas that negate the mainstream nonsense which the public believes and feeds on]
Just after reading the news I decided to do a little test on myself just to spite those parliamentary a**holes. I temporarily adopted the Wiccan faith yesterday and just a little while ago, I checked the nationality column on my passport and the demonym still reads “MALDIVIAN” when I half expected a series of question marks. In a way this proves that the religion I (as an individual) believe in and the god I pray to has absolutely nothing to do with the nation that I belong to. It is beyond the influence of the harebrained idiots working this country’s rusty legislative cogwheels. By condoning this atrociousness, my countrymen are only depriving themselves of their own (extremely limited) fundamental civil rights if they choose to smear us with this travesty of an amendment made to this supposedly grand constitution, which effectively from November 2007, has been transformed into a massive political joke. We claim that the “version” of Islam that we adhere to, preaches understanding and tolerance, while in reality, all we are doing (to ourselves nonetheless) here is shoving it down the collective throats of our people, completely disregarding the fact that some of our own are choking on it.
As an expression of personal support for those of us who are now legally alienated from their nation, I am hereby renouncing my own nationality and henceforth pledge to refrain from identifying myself as a Maldivian or ދިވެއްސެއް .Honestly, even the idea of continuing to do so has become downright embarrassing.
Friends, do not lament but rejoice, for you have been emancipated from this theocratic nation of intolerance, injustice, incompetence, selfishness, bigotry and mostly ignorance. For all you lost was a mere name… you still retain your dignity, your belief and your heritage which no constitution can deprive you of.
Note: For the sake of rationality I shall never (officially) attest my self-renunciation and will not acknowledge ever having said anything mentioned within the confines of this post. This statement does not affect my beliefs, which remains steadfast as ever. And neither does it alter my hopes which lie in MY generation when it takes over the helm of this country, where my father’s have failed.
maansih says...
(January 17, 2008 at 2:25 pm)
pffft. Tell me you didnt just delete this post.
kess says...
(January 17, 2008 at 3:33 pm)
you gutless waterlily
fizan says...
(January 17, 2008 at 3:35 pm)
Mea culpa. Not to appear a gutless waterlily, there it is, in its entirety. I just messed up the publish settings :)
moyameehaa says...
(January 17, 2008 at 6:47 pm)
i don’t think you are doing the right thing.we are Maldivians by birth.I am proud to be a Maldivian. but the only thing is how i define ‘Maldivian’ and how others define it is different.instead of giving up your nationality why don’t you at least demand your right to remain Maldivian.Your country is under siege,and you just give up and turn your back?your own people are, their minds are under siege, and all you could do is give up your nationality? but where else do we belong?we have a right here.all maldivians have the right to remain Maldivian and no one can take that away.
I am still proud to be a Maldivian but ashamed of what my country have become today.
Proud to be Dhivehin says...
(January 17, 2008 at 6:54 pm)
I am still proud to be Maldivian. What some misguided people do will not change that.
I too believe that Muslim or not, children born to Maldivians should not be deprived of their nationality.
Muslim or not, Maldivian or not, I still wish good wishes in this life and hereafter for every human.
Of course I do pray to Allah that He grant his blessings on all human beings to show them the right path.
moyameehaa says...
(January 17, 2008 at 6:58 pm)
oh.and don’t just hope for anything good from this generation either.this generation and even the next generation have been fed the same crap, and have more extreme elements than the old ones.the only hope is a social change.some kinda awakening. but how? how fast?, (if any come this way).
fizan says...
(January 17, 2008 at 9:59 pm)
Moyameeha, I suppose you missed the point of my post. Somewhere in it, I think I sardonically reduced the demonym MALDIVIAN to “just a name” so by refusing to be identified with it (labeled so to speak) does not necessarily mean I am disassociating myself from everything that name stands for …
Just to be clear on something, I AM proud of who I am, I AM proud of my culture and I AM proud of my heritage, just not who we ARE right now and who we WILL become in the not too distant future. Looks like you share my resentment, just not my attitude.
Proud to be Dhivehin, err… thanks for echoing my thoughts? Just try not to chant that all the way to sleep.
Ismail Rasheed says...
(January 19, 2008 at 8:49 am)
FIZAN, WELL SAID..
I am glad I was born and live in some beautiful coral islands.
But I am ashamed to be called a Maldivian now. I am disgusted at the direction in which the country is going.
MOYAMEEHA, GOOD LUCK IN YOUR EFFORTS TO MAKE A SECULAR MALDIVES.
I support it. I think the biggest obstacle is Islam. Or is it my “misunderstanding of Islam” or the fact that people of other religions have to live in secret in Saudi Arabia that makes me think that?
Ali Antenna says...
(January 19, 2008 at 9:36 am)
As Sheikh Zubair said, a rose by any other name and all that.
shaari says...
(January 19, 2008 at 2:43 pm)
i’m a muslim & i’ve absolute faith in the religion but i’m embarrassed by that clause. it really reflects the shameful state of intolerance our state is in. its not about religion, it’s about human rights. it’s amazing the state is so intent on projecting this country as a 100% muslim country to the outside world but that only projects the state’s authoritarianism & lack of acceptance. some serious international pressure & threats are now needed to overturn the clause. and yes, some who claim to be champions of democracy don’t say anything in the parliament when it really matters…
Dhivehi Resistance says...
(January 20, 2008 at 9:06 pm)
shaari,
I like to know human rights you are refering to.
The Islamic Declaration on Human rights or the Universal Declaration of Human rights?
Ismail Rasheed says...
(January 20, 2008 at 10:41 pm)
shaari,
Sorry. I should not have asked the question as you have said you are a muslim.
So shall we ask Saudi Arabia, Iran, Egypt and other Islamic countries to exert some serious pressure and threats so that the Islamic declaration of Human rights are enforced in Maldives?
Hilath says...
(January 21, 2008 at 12:53 pm)
Sappe on Dhivehi Observer website pasted Voltaire’s quote: “Anyone who has the power to make you believe absurdities has the power to make you commit atrocities.” Actually, Voltaire had meant religion as having the power to make people believe absurdities and therefore commit atrocities (although Sappe conveniently forgot to mention that!) In a theocratic state like Maldives, what can you expect, huh?
nass says...
(January 24, 2008 at 5:15 pm)
Maldives will always be a Muslims country no matter what :)
So why do we even bother?
fizan says...
(January 25, 2008 at 3:44 am)
Nass, don’t you think that label is for the Maldivians to adopt, rather than a few corrupt politicians?
shaari says...
(January 30, 2008 at 1:40 pm)
dhivehi ‘resistance’ ismail rasheed,
in case u ain’t aware, islamic declaration of human rights applies only to muslims who believe in god and universal declaration of human rights concerns everyone. & the topic here affects everyone in maldives. i’ve non-muslim friends & atheists & they’re hard done by this ruling. Officially they can’t be maldivian citizens simply cos they dont believe in what the state wants them to believe. Yes, i’m a firm believer in islam but i can understand if anyone wants to question the existence of god & turn to science for answers. i respect that cos they’ve their own reasons for that.
and it’s not wise to bring in countries like saudi arabia here since they do not fully adhere to the islamic declaration of human rights. for e.g. consider this clause in the islamic declaration: “wherein all human beings shall be equal and none shall enjoy a privilege or suffer a disadvantage or discrimination by reason of race, colour, SEX, origin or language;”
well, saudi arabia doesn’t allow women to vote or even drive cars. how equal is that?
anywayz to answer your question, no, i dont want the islamic declaration of human rights to be enforced here. rather the universal declaration…
yaamyn says...
(September 5, 2008 at 1:48 am)
Good post.
The sad part is that some ‘resistant’ folk will not try to side with the plenty of liberal Muslims and unite to seek their rights as a Maldivian, irrespective or religious and other beliefs.
I’ve found the a tendency to label ‘all Muslims’ as bigoted and fundamentalist.. exemplified here in case of Shaari. The venom and hatred towards fundamentalists need to be diverted at THEM, not us.
As for the MPs - it’s a shame. I can’t picture myself voting for anyone who doesn’t have the balls to publicly admit a grave injustice.
Shame indeed!
The country needs an urgent injection of some secular spirit!
yaamyn says...
(September 5, 2008 at 1:51 am)
P.S. -
Islam recognizes the existence of other religions..
100% Muslim population is a joke. How many other countries in the world are ‘100% Islamic’?
I also wonder why there’s so much phobia about churches/temples being built in the Maldives..
I live in India.. and there are plenty of churches, temples and mosques (sometimes just a few meters away from each other!) and they co exist quite peacefully. :p
It’s really an amazing sight.
xxxxxxxxx says...
(November 9, 2009 at 6:51 pm)
sucha jerk! :S foni vias then bonda vara nuny…
TDD says...
(May 30, 2010 at 8:24 am)
Oa Salhi, mithothee vaa CHANGE ge dhigu Eidheh aissa aharumenge lobuvethi Dhivehi gaumah!
These so-called Mullahs had no trouble voting in a person who’s ‘partiality’ to alcohol & other substances were well known (plus there was a ALWAYS a question about his personal faith!) as the president of Islamic/Muslim Maldives!!! So, why are they getting so worked up about the “fruits of the badhalu” they helped/are helping to create? This new “Islamic sainthood” may differ on “selected” topics (often ONLY to maintain “appearances” or live up to the image of the beards!), but the fact of the matter is that they can ONLY remain in their coveted positions if they suck up to the present government (as demonstrated by their often fake & weak protests). Using Dr.Naik’s reasoning, WHERE WERE THEIR “PRINCIPLES” BACK THEN WHEN THEY HAD A HIDDEN AGENDA OF THEIR OWN??? How can they expect us to blindly/passively accept “their verdict” now!
THE CRUX OF THE PROBLEM(S) IS OFTEN NOT SO MUCH ABOUT IGNORANCE/”DEVIANCE” AS IT’S ABOUT HYPOCRISY!!!
People, when are we EVER going to learn that we just simply CANNOT go on letting the law of the jungle (every man/beast for themselves) apply to human society (if we wish it to remain functional for long!) ???
May God help us ALL NOW!
-Thedhuveri Dhivehi Dhariyeh-
TDD says...
(May 30, 2010 at 9:05 am)
Oh & the answer to your question, is a VERY VEHEMENT YES! I DECLARE THAT I’M PROUD TO HAVE BEEN BORN A MALDIVIAN, because it was within her womb that I first saw light & had the chance(s) to become the person I am today. She held my hand & guided me when I could neither walk nor talk. She showed me the rewards of belonging. She helped me see that it is WE the individuals & the group who make our destinies. She taught me that “belief & faith” are not empty, dirty words & that it has the potential to change our lives. The rich pages of her history continue to be an inspiration for me. I’m proud to announce my alliance IN EVERY WAY POSSIBLE with ALL THAT we’ve stood for & stand for as the larger family of Maldives.
Globalisation is “cool” & all that (especially in the comforts of the technological world), but some of us need something MORE, SOMETHING BIGGER: AN IDENTITY OF OUR OWN. Some of us do not wish to play blind mice dancing & content with just following “Pied Piper. We do not consider ourselves to be inferior to our white, Chritian-dominated “superiors”. Please do try harder to get out of the rut of “colonial mentality”!
You can’t cut off your own limbs just because you are merely ‘disenchanted’ with the way they may seem at a given time (& our moods/whims)!!! Life is no bed of roses, but if everyone were to jump ship at the slightest glimpse of a thorn, that simply would not help the SOCIETY at all. If you don’t accept something/feel the urge experiment & search for something ‘different’, fine, go ahead & do YOUR thing (as an individual AFTER FULLY disassociating yourself from what you do not respect or believe in, NOT behind the cowardly veil of anonymity!). But you have no right to try & impose your beliefs on others. The majority of Maldivian population are youths who are highly susceptible to the powers persuasion & suggestion. It’s NOT fair that you who couldn’t possibly care more about them than their loved ones have any say in shaping their futures too.
People, LEARN to have more FAITH in yourselves as individuals & a nation FIRST. If we manage to work TOGETHER in our struggles, the odd “Tom, Dick & Harry” (as they may prefer to call themselves) that tries to come in our way will have little effect on US!
B-E-L-I-E-V-E & ALWAYS be proud to be who you REALLY are!