A letter to a deceased: To Hamzil my dear friend (RIP)

[DISCLAIMER: A letter to a deceased. I know we can't post letters to a  deceased . But I believe they can always hear us, see us and can feel us. because death is only just a beginning. This letter I am writing to one of my best friends who passed away during a tragic incident that took place 8 years ago on March 17th 2004; a ferry disaster which shocked G Dh Thinadhoo and the whole Maldives by losing 24 lives on one single night. I intended to tell him a little about us 8 years after. I only intend to tell him how exactly I feel today, and a message to those who read this.] 

Hamzil Ahmed (1986 - 2004)
Rest In Peace, May Allah Bless Your Soul

e

Dear Hamzil,

It has been 8 years since the tragic incident which separated our lives between here and hereafter. It has been 8 long years of so many wishes on your behalf as well. Every 17th March the date of 2004 flashes before my eyes killing every other thought occupying my world here.

Of all the flashes that pass blazing in my mind sparks one simple message of that day. The Unity of you and my people, which I am sure you would have loved and cried like I did for the loss and of the gain of unity that day.

Dearest Hamzil, I am stressed to tell you how depressing and miserable our lives are now. We no longer have that unity and the social concord. As I write this letter, all I can sense is jealousy, hatred, enmity and untidiness of our mindset. Don’t be surprised when someone ridicules me for writing this letter. Our state of mind has gone beyond the bladder of the evil now.

As you know, the days we spent together were of fun and joy. No worries no cries and carefree. And true, days can’t always be the same. But I am sure none of us would have expected today.

Here I just intended to brief you about our deliberate struggle of becoming stupid. I know your laughing now, for us being idle in this whole mayhem. We have inaugurated our NGO by the name you have chosen, CHOCO. And we tend to deliver the neutralizer for every disorder. But you know, naively we have become the catalyst of disorder. And I am helpless with all my hopes and dreams.

I wish you are alive today, because I know you wouldn’t give up like us to unite your people again. I wish you are live today, because I know you will not stop believing in your dreams and will remind all of us of ours as well. I wish you are alive today, because I know you will stand by all of us.

I pray for you; may Allah purify your soul and grant you Jannathul Firudhaus with others, and may angels always guard you and recite the words of Allah.

And may Allah shine light on us the blind living thinking this an eternal world, building our materialism and greediness for selfishness. May Allah open our hearts and purify our souls so that I can write a better letter next time with an impressive news.

Inna linnaahi Wa'inna Ilaihi Raajioon.

P.S: We all love you and miss you always.
P.S.S: Forgive us for everything.

Yours buddy
Hasan A. Hilmy (Thoothee)

17th March 2012

National colors fading before our eyes

National flag at the Republic Square

“My ideology is MDP’s ideology, my book is their manifesto”, says Musthafa (MDP) who recently lost his parliament seat. This is just one quote from the collection of virulent statements floating in the social networks. And this is where we stand while we call ourselves Maldivians and Muslims.

Since the introduction of the multi-party system, political agendas and programs broke out into every corner of the Maldives, penetrating through every single wall in every single household – from their living room to bedroom and even kitchens and toilets. I don’t mean to be facetious, but I have seen party slogans and memos in these places. This doesn’t end the expansion of this ‘virus’ – what I see as.

These have affected the fashion, lifestyle and most of all our nature and ethics that we all follow.

I remember when I was young how we celebrated patriotic occasions: July 26th, Republic Day, Victory Day and so forth. I still remember the patriotic ecstasy we all had during those times back in my home island and everywhere in the Maldives. The devotion and the jingoism towards any strange custom, well defined our unity and strength as one.

There we planted an idea of disarray – that would gradually take us towards confusions, disorders and divisions which would end up in chaos and untidiness in our life.

And here we are, passed the clam before the storm and right at the eye of a hurricane.

We created the mess we are in today. And we have to clean it up, as well.

As far as I know, democracy is a concept where the people rule. And who are these people? Well, I might need Supreme Court to define that for me now. My point is if we the people rule and when we are provided all the rights, freedom and prestige within the system, why all the chaos?

Simple, it is never that we rule, we are deceived by few people and we are enslaved to support their cause by unawareness. It has always been like this since the beginning of time. Democracy, dictatorship, monarchy or whatever the system, it has been always the same with ideological difference. But the greedy will always bark loud for power, and the weak will obey the strong. And the evil will always be defeated by greater evil.

The good never exists except for what light we get from Islam.

The expansion of party politics has now divided this little society like a butcher slaughters his animals. Chopped into pieces and sold in packets.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see someone lowering the National Flag in the Republic Square and hoisting their party flag: we have seen in several occasion pro-partisans disrespecting the National Flag and National Treasures.

Our colors shall be RED, GREEN and WHITE followed by whatever color a person’s party represents. We must know how to compromise our interests for the sake of the generations to come. It seems to me that if a great hero like Muhammad Thakurufaan was alive today, he would probably have fought for this insanity to stop. I am not calling for an uprising against party movements, but soon it will be by nature. Because “when we all realize how far we have been deceived in illusions, then we will settle the debt to the nation before we even regret.”

PS: Even though I am a non-partisan according to the political party registry, I am a pro-partisan by nature. And my party is Maldives, my ideology is Extreme Maldivian.

Some old customs of Huvadhu Atoll

Hasan A. Hilmy:

The ‘sweat and blood of Huvadhu’ people is not much different from the rest. Despite the slight difference in the dialect and linguist, the discipline and ethics remains very much the same as elsewhere in Maldives. The revolutions and twists of the average culture during 1950 to 1960 have made changes in the old but golden ways of living, yet some customs and tradition still lives on some places. The information in this article is inspired from the journals and writings of the people who experienced those sophisticated ‘sweat and blood’.

As said, the typical customs and traditions are very much the same, with modest changes from Atoll to Atoll and from Island to Island. And the very old customs might be insignificant to last and today’s generations. Those customs could be a laugh out story lines for most of them, regardless of that being their true reflection in time. These ways of thinking would last as long as time moves along with traditions from past to present to future known as ‘trending’. These are traceable for those who intend to know. And what the trends we follow today could be laugh out stories for generations to come. We never know. They might faint laughing over trends that we follow today. And this is a trend the world has followed since the beginning. It’s the evolution of living.

One example of a today’s top trend being made a joke of tomorrow could be the mobile phones. Imagine a paradigm picture where people would only use their brain to communicate, maybe high-tech telepathy? With no mobile phones around anymore? What would they possibly look back on us and say? Just a wild guess; “they morons, why would they carry that huge thing in their pocket while it could have been implanted in the brain?” Well, that is how the world evolves.

An example from the origin of where we are to talk about; ho would anyone could possibly imagine that they can actually fly from Kaadehdhoo on a bird and land in Male’ within less than 1 hours journey? Allah witness, there were residents in the very Kaadedhoo who lived and died, without even imagining this. And undeniable, they would have made a joke if we told them it is possible.

Don't deny the power and might of Allah. We are provided with facts and evidence to think and inspire ourselves and to reflect back to almighty Allah’s power and wisdom if Islam, when knowing about how we lived.

Building Mosques Then:

Hutukodey Misky - 1970's

During olden days, mosques were built at the crossroads of inhabitable area and the jungle of that island. This is to find space for a grave yard within the compound of the mosque and keep the graveyard away from where people usually live. Folk beliefs say that the chances of encounter with “Spirits” are less when the graveyard is located away from where people live by.

Centuries ago, the foundation of the mosques built in Havaru Thinadhoo were built with lime stone clay (Uva) and erected with coral stone (hiriga) blocks. Some coral stones are intricately carved. Some walls are built with coral rubble (Thelhiga). 2x3 feet coral stone blocks are assembled as stones are all cut in a way to interlock (tongue and groove system). Lacquer finished timber columns (with coral stone stumps) and beams continue over the stones as the wall reached around 8 – 10 feet from the ground. The roof is covered with coconut thatch (Fangi). Inside, floor is softly filled with fine gravels and covered with weaved mat (Thun’du Kunaa).

During the roofing day, all the men over 15 years old who has not yet participated in cooking “Thalinga” (a traditional food item) has to cook “Thalinga” for the rest of the island. This is mandatory once in life, during those days in Huvadhu Atoll. Names of those who participate in this unifying event is written somewhere in the mosque ending with “Thalinga Khalaas” (Finished making ‘Thalinga’). Likewise, there were mosques finished with fine carpentry, lacquer, intricately carved coral stones, center dome (laage) and other artistic tricks. All these were precious treasures and a priceless piece of art.

During the kingdom of Dhevvadhoo Rasgefaanu (Sultan Muhammad), there was an astonishing piece of art built in Havaru Thiandhoo. A very crafty mosque built by his sister, Dhondhaleyka kanbuleyge, who went all the way from Male’ to Havaru Thinadhu to build that very mosque with the help of creative crafty men of traditional art in Maldives.

Here, one should know that the pioneers of “Hukuru Miskiy” (Friday Mosque) in Male’ are two gifted artists and architects from Huvadhu Atoll, who trained and instructed a team of crafty men, did the incredible work. The “Hutukodey Misky” (Hutukodey Mosque) was an outstanding work which shows the extraordinary flairs of those men back then.

After the genocide in 1962, during the repopulation of Havaru Thinadhoo on 1968, the marvelous structure with mind-blowing art and the sacred mosque lost its originality on renovation. Current structure which stands abandoned is completely different from the original. In fact, now stands a modern abandoned mosque with no remains of the old one.

Dhondhaleyka Kanbuleyge passed away (May Allah grant her Jannathul Firdhaus) while in Havaru Thinadhoo bringing up this remarkable structure. She was buried in the north grave compound of Masjidul Ghaazee Muhammad (The mosque name belongs to Bodu Thakurufan, Sultan Ghaazee Muhammad). There was small mausoleum (Ziyarai) built for royal graves in that area.

Friday Prayers Then:

Havaru Thinadhoo Hukuru Misky (Friday Mosque) - 1962

Men bath in pool (Vevu) and dress with sarong (Mundu) with their turban or white scarf (Foshaa) wrapped around their head or just leaned on their shoulder, and head out to Friday prayers every week. Some aristocratic people wear waistcloth (Feyli) and some uplifts the sarong to show the sleek beneath it.

Some men shave their beards and mustaches and clean their self at the pool (Vevu) near the mosque around 8am on Friday morning. They brush their teeth with fine grains of white sand collected from the shoreline. Some people smear their head and body with coconut oil, wrap a turban (Foshaa) around their waist while the other turban is gently leaned over the shoulder. The one who is late by 11:30am is considered one who didn’t catch the Friday prayer.

The Imam (The male prayer leader in a mosque) katheebu kileygefaan will take a bath in the pool (Vevu) at Hukuru Miskiy (Friday mosque) around 10:30am. He then goes home to get dressed and appear back in mosque to address the Friday Sermon and to perform the prayer. He waits at the veranda (Fenda) of the mosque till sermon time after praying the “Thahiyyathul Masjid” (Two rak’a prayer, performed for the mosque). He then presents the sermon in Arabic and perform the Friday prayer when its time. There was also a time when there is no set Imam for Friday prayers. Any one among the present Khathib (One who present the sermon) at the mosque would do the job then.

Luxury Houses Then:

A super-luxury house in Havaru Thiandhoo - 1962

People who own vessels, uninhabited islands and do trades are then the richest within the community. Their quarters are like a duplex-house (two separate residencies), known as ‘Maavaluge’ and ‘Beyruge’. Those are built by foundations of coral rubble (Thelhiga) and deadwood fences over it. Cross wall is built with dead Ochrosia oppositifolia wood (Dhun’buri Dhan’di) and coconut thatched covers. Window wall is made up of dead coconut wood (Ruh vakaru) and weaved coconut leaves (Viyefa hunna funn). ‘Maavaluge’ has 2 beds made of Ochrosia oppositifolia Sticks (Dhunburi dhan’di) and coir ropes (Roanu) and woodern bench/bed (Ashi) made of dead coconut wood (Ruh vakaru). Beyruge has a master bed made of Ochrosia oppositifolia Sticks (Dhunburi) and a wooden bench/bed (Ashi) and a wooden shelf/bed (Bodu Ashi). Incomparable, all the houses of rich and poor were roofed with weaved coconut leaves then (Viyefa hunna funn).

There is a difference in sleeping then. The wife or the husband of the child would sleep on the bed next to the main bed where the father and the mother sleep. Some houses do not have these arrangements tough. Children and their mates would sleep on the beds and wooden bench/beds (Ashi) arranged in different corners of the same hall. They flip the bench up and put it towards the wall after sleeping at some houses to make room in the hall during day time.

When a trading boat (Odi) arrives to the island, everyone would hurry to welcome them in warmth. Providing a pleasant hospitality to visitors was one of the thoughtful customs adopted by the people back then. People will be over cautious about keeping the visitors really happy and they will avoid any chance of disappointments. They are well hosted in the luxury houses in the island. If the men couldn’t build a passionate friendship with a girl who is single in that boat, is known to be teased by others. In Havaru Thinadhoo they say to such men that, “He couldn’t even go around ‘Hinaamaa gaa’ (An uninhabited island in Huvadhu Atoll)”. ‘Hinaamaa gaa’ is a small beautiful island with very little trees and almost like a sand bank; where sea birds use to congregate for their sunset melodies in groups.

Using Toilet Then:

The seaward of Havaru Thinadhoo - 1962

Back then, people go to seaward side (Futtaru) to defecate. Both men and women use the seaward side as their rest rooms. Two, three or more of the same sex sits close by near the wave breaking point, defecating. Except children, men don’t use to talk much during that time. But women are said to be chit-chatting, amused by each other’s jokes and laughing out loud. They even use to talk about their lovers secrets and conspire about people they hate too. Women use to go passing off together, at arrange times in groups. Usual time for them is both twilights of the day. And people who are timid of passing off in public, shut-in themselves somewhere isolated and pass-out in ground dug holes.

Some Customs of Women Then:

Deligation of Huvadhu Atoll for the first Republic Day
 of the Republic of Maldives pausing
 with late president Mohamed Amin  Didi. - 1953

There are pools (Vevu), separated for both men and women, in all the inhabitant islands of Maldives. There were some pools (Vevu) till 1960’s in some islands. The depth of a usual medium size pool (Vevu) in Havaru Thinadhoo is between knee to chest of an average man. Most of the pools (Vevu) are built with dead coconut wood bars kept one over the other in a square shape. Top is designed with coral rock (Hathaa gaa). This pool (Vevu) is not enclosed by any fence (Fulhah) or a wall. Bands of women bath in these pools (Vevu), topless in their original brand. They can’t be identified from a close range though.

Most of the Huvadhu women use to wash their hair with a form made of ash, lemon, egg and other ingredients most of the days. Such women are free from hair lice. But there are some women busy scratching their intense itching scalp with their fingers like a rake. Rich or poor, lice are found only on the lazy one’s hair. Because finding ash (Alhi) and water won’t be a difficulty even back then; this could prevent them from growing lice. Women like this sit near fences (Fulhah) and remove lice from each other’s head. They then crash the lice with their nails making a low pop-crack sound. If the sound was not heard, then they wouldn’t count it as a lice removed. Women with lice are known to be angry-birds, maybe because of their intense itchy scalp. If two of them get on a fight, then the people declares day-doomed. They just burst off with all the filth. In some islands, women use to get naked and dance singing songs to humiliate the offender. There were some incidents where they compare their genital parts and ask each who’s is the most beautiful in public. Other women use to support the fight, provide them with mockery lines, water and even betel leaf and areca nuts (Dhufun). These support women team-up within the fight and work together as a team. When the current standing woman is tired, she is substituted by another one from the team. Sometimes this goes without a leading speaker, but as a group. They mostly start with mocking song (Hajoo Raivaru). The crowd cheers and boos them in different tones and chants. There will be a fascinated crowd gathered enjoying the fight as long as it goes on.

Women with a thorough hygiene would have a mild soothing aroma on her hair. Those women wear traditional Maldivian dresses (Kasabu baadhala boavalhuge libaas) after bathing, and they will wear a waistcloth (Feyli) or a black skirt (Kan’diki) as a bottom.

When they move like a bud of aroma in the streets to collect water from the mosque well, they will wear different types of flowers on their hair. Most known types are; Roses (Finifenma), queen of the night, (Husnuheena maa), garland flower (Karanka maa), khus khus grass (Lansimoo), tangjong flower (Moonimaa) and Jasmines (Huvan’dhu maa, Chaandahnee maa, Iru dheymaa, Kudhi maa, Gukeynooran maa, Thandi rai maa). They use to place these flowers on the tight knot in their hair shined with coconut oil. Classy women wear a garland of tangjong flower (Moonimaa fathi). It has got a long lasting smell which stays for few days. These women will gently kill the hearts of innocent young men staring at them as they walk like the queens of the road during late afternoon. The garland of tanjong flower (Moonima fathi), is brought from Gn. Fuvahmulah. These women use to give away this garland to their lovers and fiancés as a symbol of love.

Young men and women sing ‘Raivaru’ (a type of Maldivian traditional singing) during the afternoon of Ramazan. They sometimes sing or write on coconut leaves their tempting poetry and spend their time in sweet laughter.

[These are few of the very old customs in Huvadhu Atoll taken from an article written by my Father, Abdulla Hilmy, who is a historian]

We shall not be believers of the ignorant

[The original article will be found in DhiIslam: "We shall not be believers of the ignorant", posted on 25 December 2011]

Hasan A. Hilmy:

Its often heard, “do not argue with the ignorant”, or “do not debate with a fool or else he will make you one and beat you with experience”. Well said lines, but I do not agree with this when the ignorant or the fool is an executive.

The massive demonstration, “Maldivians in defense of Islam” held on last Friday, 23^rd December 2011, was the largest and the most peaceful protest ever carried out in the history of the Maldives. At the infant stage of democracy, we Maldivians have projected a message to the world how mature we truly are, especially when it comes to defend our noble faith, the peaceful religion Islam. More than 12,000 people flocked to the ‘victory square’ in Male’, who were supported by more than 100,000 Maldivians all around the country who joined the demonstration at the same time.  Though it seems paltry in the wake of Cairo, Libya and Tunisia; for a country of roughly 350, 000–this protest is relatively equivalent in proportion.

The ruling class did not recognize the mass of the protest. And we can expect them to remain in denial of this strong and unexpected voice of a third of our population that has demanded change.

Government heads and senior members of the ruling party have been commenting on the massive protest as a political stunt made by aminority. And they have been trying to give away a message to the international community that it was an insignificant protest; and as of this writing, not one outlet of the international media seems to have received the protesters’ side of the story; nor have they any clear idea of their demands. Their bias is unsurprising; as President Nasheed has invested a lot of time and effort during his years in office into becoming a darling of the international media. Yet, their attempts have proven futile as the message is slowly trickling through the social networks and Maldivian news-outlets critical of government policies.

All the media received a note from the Maldives National Defense Force, urging not to air certain footage of the demonstration, which they claimed would be detrimental to social harmony. Not only does this note represent the government’s continuing infringement of the freedom of expression by media outlets unsympathetic to an MDP administration; but it is a red herring that implies violence and foul play at the protest. There was no such footage, voice-outs or actions during the demonstration which concerns the social harmony. If there were, why wasn’t there was a single disturbance to the security forces during the 8 hours of the demonstration?

The MDP officials did try to attempt a strike against Friday’s demonstration later on Saturday, which they had to cancel forecasting their funeral before they conclude. Unquestionably they will be outnumbered by the “Maldivians in defence of Islam”; but the MDP need to keep up appearances to maintain whatever support base they have remaining.

President Nasheed has officially , not without some hesitancy, noted the demands as per his press secretary. They had criticized the demands by labelling the demonstration a political gathering aimed at overthrowing the MDP government; supported by only a few people. They claimed that they were unclear of the demands, as they did not receive sealed or signed documents by any one individuals and were therefore unable to discern any relevant information from what they could have read about in the news-sites, seen or heard via television or broadcast.

Why would they ignore the fact that it was the voice of more than one third of an entire population when it was as clear as the blue sky during the sunny day they came to the power on 11^th November 2008? Or is it because they lost the track to 11^th November 2013? Or is it because they are ‘smart fools’ trying to make the entire nation, their mental hospital?

Whatever it is, Maldivians shall not be blindfolded anymore. We shall not be strings attached, or slaves to any masters but Allah. We shall not be the rats that the pied piper led to the sea, or the marionettes who swings to the symphony of destruction. Above all, we shall not be believers of the ignorant or the fools.

The art of peaceful protest is real

[This is an article I wrote for DhiIslam. Original article will be found in this link: The art of peaceful protest is real"]

“Allah Akbar! Allah Akbar! Allah Akbar!” thousands of gatherers chanted as “Maldivians in Defense of Islam” protest started on 23rd December 2011, 1600hrs at Victory Square, Male’. It was the biggest protest Maldives has ever witnessed. Yet the most peaceful protest recorded, epic.

A record number of more than 100,000 Maldivians all around the country demonstrated to implement Shariah and to put an end to all anti-Islamic activities.

More than 10,000 people gathered near Lonuziyaraikolhu, which was renamed “Nasruge Maidhan” (Victory Square) during the protest.

Protesters stood their ground for eight straight hours, expressing their extreme dissatisfaction with the anti-Islamic policies endorsed by the State. They congregated and performed the maghrib and isha prayers while standing their ground.

Ruling party, MDP, had a counter protest at the Artificial Beach in the afternoon, in the name of “Support for Moderation”. President Nasheed along with his a paltry gathering of supporters took part in the rally which lasted for little more than an hour. Analysts described this as their least popular demonstration ever held, while “Maldivians in Defense of Islam” was said to be their worst nightmare.

During the past few weeks, organizers of the 23 December protest were mocked and threatened by self-described “moderates”, labeling them ‘Extremists’ who called for a ‘Taliban’-style society and the violation of social harmony.

The State’s propaganda machine MNBC One declared this protest will lead to violence. The State had done their best to convince the public that the protest would be a source of violent breakouts. This could have certainly been true, thanks to the aggression of certain MDP officials.

None of the government puppets’ warnings had come to pass. Security forces did not have to confront anyone harshly. It was truly a blessed peaceful night, although the MDP officials tried to march towards Victory Square to meet head-on with the peaceful protestors; to deny them the freedoms which, it seems, can only be enjoyed in this country by pro-MDP activists.

Surely, this protest will be remembered through the history as the biggest and the most peaceful protest; a unification of political rivals over a single, noble cause: to protest Islam from a common enemy. This protest will be revised to practice the peaceful methodology and the art of peaceful protests in future.

This protest will be mother of many other protests for Islam.

Neither Islam is debatable for Muslims nor does the Constitution of Maldives for the public.

Hasan A. Hilmy:

“The woman and the man guilty of illegal sexual intercourse, flog each of them with a hundred stripes. Let not pity withhold you in their case, in a punishment prescribed by Allah, if you believe in Allah and the Last Day. And let a party of the believers witness their punishment.” [Sura 24 - Al-Noor: Verse 2].

ARTICLE 2:

The Maldives is a sovereign, independent, democratic Republic based on the principles of Islam, and is a unitary State, to be known as the Republic of the Maldives. Any reference to “the Maldives” is a reference to the Republic of the Maldives.

ARTICLE 9:

(d) Despite the provisions of article (a) a non- Muslim may not become a citizen of the Maldives.

ARTICLE 10:

(a) The religion of the State of the Maldives is Islam. Islam shall be the one of the basis of all the laws of the Maldives

(b) No law contrary to any tenet of Islam shall be enacted in the Maldives

Above is the verse in Holy Quran, the ‘Islamic Order’ and Shariah, which defines the verdict for illegal sexual intercourse and some Articles from the Constitution of Maldives which impose Islam as the only Religion and its orders to be enforced.

The verse gives no resolutions on modern Human Rights, drafted by us ‘Doubtful’ human beings, and the Articles gives no exception for United Nations Conventions and Declarations. Thus we cannot argue with God's order over our terms of uncertain ideas, nor can we argue with the constitution over norms of other cultures.

But here is how blind we are to see definite things over our arrogance, ignorance and political self-importance.

Pillay against Islam and Maldives

The UN human rights chief, Navi Pillay, told the Maldivian parliamentarians on 24th November that Flogging women convicted of extra-marital sex is one of the most inhumane forms of violence against women, calling for a much "needed" public debate in the Maldives on the issue.

Moreover, she also called on Maldivian authorities to remove the "discriminatory" constitutional provision that requires every citizen to be a Muslim in a press conference on 25th November at United Nations Building in Male’.

Protests and Condemns:

Protesters gathered outside the UN Building in Male’ the same day, condemning UN human rights chief's comments against flogging and the constitutional provision that requires every Maldivian to be a Muslim. Protestors took to the streets of capital Male’ for a second day of demonstrations against UN human rights chief's comments.

On 26th November, Foreign Minister Ahmed Naseem said that the government will not allow debates to be held in the Maldives on issues that are against the fundamentals of Islam.

Parliamentarians on 28th November condemned the comments made by UN human rights chief about flogging at the parliament session.

A religious conservative NGO, Salaf, later asked the UN representative in Maldives to investigate and take action against the UN human rights chief for her recent comments "against penalties stipulated by Islamic Shari'a Law".

Pillay expressed concerns over reports of rising religious intolerance in the Maldives, media reports quoted her spokesperson as saying after the community disorder.

Comments and other Concerns:

Every Maldivian should be confident in themselves in order to ensure that a statement made by a person does not shake their beliefs and faith, President Mohamed Nasheed said on 27th Novemebr evening Speaking at the function held at Dharubaaruge to present the National Award of Honour and National Award of Recognition. He also added that we must debate on doubtful issues and come up with conclusion at the expertise level, referring to religious uncertainties.

Vice president of Maldivian Democratic Party, Alhan Fahumee, said on 28th November that he did not believe Pillay’s comments were on Islam or did humiliate Islam. He urged it was constitutional and legal matters which Pillay brought to their concern to debate and come to an understanding.

Many skeptic minds around did praise Pillay’s comments honoring her as a human rights and freedom of religion’s activist. These comments were clearly seen at mainstream media comments and on social networks.

What is to Debate?

It is obviously definite that no Muslim can argue with Allah and question His book and order, Holy Quran. And no ordinary Maldivian can argue with the Maldivian constitution. So it is very clear what is to debate or not.

Even if you have doubts, you cannot argue with God and cut a flexible deal on your terms. For a conclusion, go back to the top of the post and read the verse from Holy Quran and the Articles in the Constitution of Maldives presented.

So it is as clear as Day and Night to identify what is 'Right' or 'Wrong' in this mayhem. Neither Islam is debatable for Muslims nor does the Constitution of Maldives for the public.

Free Media to Save Democracy

Hasan A. Hilmy

Have you ever seen or read the same story reported in different media in Maldives? If so, you would have noticed how biased all the streams are. And if you find that funny or lousy, then you are ‘uncivilized’ as they explained.

Today we talk about politicizing religion; did you ever ask yourself what is not politicized in this nation? Among many, Media is the prime entity highly politicized for propagating a public to make us run like the rats that the pied-piper led to the sea.

Yesterday we talked about capturing independent institutions; in a democracy, media is expected to be the most independent. Did you notice how independent our state media and other media are? They are being dyed by the colors of political spectrum like shiny coatings.

As far as I know, media is compelled to give judgmental facts over findings, to the public for their own assumptions and conclusions. Media cannot report conclusive stories forcing the public to believe on. Exceptional is columnists and opinion segments. But when it comes to news, it has to be balanced.

It is important to free media and journalists from cognitive captivation of politicization and other obligations. We must not let the fourth estate of democracy or the fourth pillar of democracy fall along with the other three. If one pillar is to re-build when others fall, it is not by any doubt the Media. Because it is the entity which most influence the society’s course.

When Media is reasoned to intermediate between places and public, today, our Media is playing the role of office boys of those places which take only fabricated messages to the public. And it is funny when those boys deny they have any masters, while it is identified even by the blinds.

So what must come to the streets shall be a call to free Media Organizations, specially the Sate Media and broadcasting channels. I wish one day they will realized how much damage they are causing to the young minds and to the nation. Maybe today they can’t imagine with all those strings attached. But it is up to those without strings to convince them. So hereby I announce my fight to FREE MEDIA, to save DEMOCRACY.

Politicizing religion or being religious?

Hasan A. Hilmy

Recent havoc in Maldives over irreligious ideological conflicts is projecting a future of chaos and instability not only in the political arena, but among all the positions, starting from everyday life style to national interests to diplomatic stakes.

We shall all agree that we can not change the fundamentals of Islam and its Shariah. It was not from the people to the people, but from the creator to the creation. And we can not argue with that order or shall not question God’s command.

The ideographic sculpts in the Pakistan monument during SAARC summit made a disorder among the public in Addu City. And there were talks from both ends defending and selling their point of view.

Those who erected the monument anticipated respecting the gift by Pakistan for diplomatic reasons and those who burnt it and toppled it intended to be Gods army. Talks defending their acts; those who erected it condemned the toppling and damages to the monument and gave justification referring to ethics of diplomacy, resistance to accept other culture and saying it does not contain any ideography of other religions. And those who toppled the monument and supporters of that cause said their act was to defend Islam and to show their stand against irreligious activities in this country.

However the justifications twisted the average public mentality and their beliefs, one thing seen very clearly was that pro-partisans stayed with their party stand no matter how wrong or right they could be. This gave a clear note for record on how blind and def some people are in a country claiming democracy, running under the “L” board so far.

A true democracy can never exist without a civilized majority of a public over how a nation could run as an Islamic Democracy. Sad but true, that majority of public is disabled to judge on their finding and rather depends on their masters who preach at political podiums and other assemblies.

Meanwhile, the UN human rights chief yesterday called on Maldivian authorities to remove the "discriminatory" constitutional provision that requires every citizen to be a Muslim. Pillay further reiterated her previous remarks at the parliament about flogging, saying that the practice of flogging women found guilty of extra-marital sex is against the international treaties that the Maldives has ratified.

This is what the west believes democracy would be. We must not forget our foundation of all the other rights and responsibilities is Islamic Shariah, which was sent from above more than 1400 years ago, carrying its weight and rule till the end of the world. And if we call ourselves muslims, we can not deny that order under any circumstances. Democracy is best advertized in God-made Islam than any other man-made declaration.

Maldivian history has given us many examples how we our practice of Islam was twisted over outside influences and under missionary agendas. And we all know-how western cultures and their religions try to tie up with ours with various gestures and words of wisdom. We also know how weak our Islamic beliefs are while simply counting the lines in mosques.

In such a distorted society, when havoc is made within religious matters and connected with political turmoil, the result could be really devastating. Think Again!

Sail to the dark side of the moon!

I dedicate this poem to the very special person who inspired me to write this, and to all those Transformer fans and Radiohead fans, because the idea of the poem will resemble to the transformer 3 and Radiohead's "Sail to the Moon". Every word and every line means a lot in this poem, and so does the whole message. I hope the intended reader gets it all smooth and cool. ;) Enjoy!

Sail to the dark side of the moon!

Hasan A. Hilmy

Hey you hey you come sail to the moon

We will start our tale and back soon

They be they be talk fail in noon

We will hide in veil and boon

They say dark side of the moon is mysterious

And I wonder if they can be serious

Because they maybe too delirious

But we will just be imperious

So we take off where waves beat the sun

And land on the dark side to have fun

Do the ‘Hasanistic’ of all undone

And be back before rise of the fallen

So tell me tell me will you go to dreamland with me

Or will you wait there at least or be

For you for you I built this ship to flee

Say that you could that I can see

How history shaped Maldivian Political Culture

Hasan A. Hilmy:

The political custom of Maldives and the division of political ideologies is shaped by their social norms in traditional nepotistic way. From earliest of practiced governments, kings and queens, the power was driven from the palace to the people. Whoever opposes was executed or jailed for treason and also for terrorism in recent years. This was a custom practiced by Maldivians since they began a community and starts governing it since 500BC or before.

Most of the customs were brought or imitated from ancient kingdoms of Asia. These kingdoms were ruled accordingly their beliefs. Most of the early civilizations were animists who later became Hindus and Buddhists in beliefs. Islam came along north to Indian subcontinents and dominated during 13th century. Christianity began when European colonization started early 16th century. These are the main evolutions of beliefs which affected the growth average Maldivian ideology, and shaping how they think towards just anything.

Although governed as an independent Islamic sultanate from 1153 to 1968, Maldives was under Portuguese colonization from 1558 for 15 years. During this period, Portuguese commanded from their base in Goa, bringing their customs mixed with south-west Indians. However again in mid 17th century, as Dutch defeated the Portuguese power in Ceylon, they began their mission in the Maldives as well. They got involved in local matters, which were governed accordingly to centuries-old Islamic cultures. After that Maldives was a British protectorate from 1887 until 25 July 1965. During these eras of colonial power in Maldives, people have transformed their lives and beliefs and Maldives itself took evolutionary steps in the political system.

In 1953, there was a brief, abortive attempt to form a republic, but the sultanate was re-imposed.  In 1959, objecting to Nasir's centralism, the inhabitants of the three southernmost atolls protested against the government. They formed the United Suvadive Republic. Although it was brought down by top level militant mission against unarmed men by then prime minister, this was first of the unrest ever in Maldives calling for rights and reform to political system. After independence from Britain in 1965, the monarchy was abolished and replaced by the second republic. This was when the golden frames of the current political pictures were first placed on the wall of fame in the political arena.

These events have played a vital role shaping the current political picture by influencing on belief, environment and needs of people. And also two world wars and global economic trend also affected these changes along with many other factors of different scale. But we have seen average Maldivian ideology changing from accepting a ruling over belief to a person’s command to people vote.

The democracy Maldives experiences today was shaped hundreds of years ago. From the royal battles inside the palace to domestic violence for power and reforms in governance, from national sacrifice to state treason, from determines where Maldivian political story stands. The unrest Maldivians experienced few years back and huge transitional changes in the system were not just a coincident. It was a small piece of change came along with a huge tide of transformation. And this transformation would take few more decades to complete and stabilize as per the History and basic ideology of average Maldivians.

Unlike many other countries around the world and even in this region, Maldives hold unique features to present a complex ideological experience in any system. an archipelago of scattered islands, with very small populated communities, met with Arabian and South East traders in ancient times and some even settled, different cultures from all the corners of the world was brought in different time-intervals in different causes, practice only one religion for more than 800 years, a young republic, long ruled dictators, high political participation of the public and average open minded community is what makes Maldives a politically active nation today.

Maldives has been changing, transforming and evolving with global changes and imitating most wanted features since the beginning. All the influences and the causes in history have shaped the present day complex picture for today’s participating fighters in political arena to keep on evolving more. Stopping the spin would only be like pissing on their own history which created them. Going back in time and running faster forward faster than the real time, coming to the present moment, anyone can visionaries the future. And considering all these facts the future in the Maldivian political system needs more public involvement as of today, more political decisions than personal and more ‘from the people’ to ‘to the people’. There can be many images seen on the run, and only a visionary mind could explain it all. I am just a traveler in time!