Recommended reading:
How You Make Me Feel
CONTENT WARNING: Self harm, suicide, abuse, homophobia
How You Make Me Feel | Digital | (2022)
There is a lot I want to say about this piece. I draw in an unplanned, organic way. When things appear in my imagination, I add them in.
I imagined hands coming down as spiders, throwing out hooks, manipulating my face, my emotions, how I appear to the outside world.
The hooks would pull and tear at my skin, as the lines pulled through bone and sinew.
Why illustrate such violence towards oneself? Well for one thing it is better than hurting my physical body.
Through the process of this illustration I realised I was expressing some deep traumas that I have not really addressed directly. When I look back at the body of my work, it is obvious where I have subconsciously explored these feelings. In deciding to make this piece with more focus, I found that it drained and took a lot out of me. I worked on it tirelessly until it all came into focus, and when it did, I felt a tidal wave of exhaustion but also relief.
I feel like the time is right to share these stories. They will provide context for this work.
How You Make Me Feel | Digital | (2022)
CONTENT WARNING: Self harm, suicide, abuse, homophobia
There is a lot I want to say about this piece. I draw in an unplanned, organic way. When things appear in my imagination, I add them in.
I imagined hands coming down as spiders, throwing out hooks, manipulating my face, my emotions, how I appear to the outside world.
The hooks would pull and tear at my skin, as the lines pulled through bone and sinew.
Why illustrate such violence towards oneself? Well for one thing it is better than hurting my physical body.
Through the process of this illustration I realised I was expressing some deep traumas that I have not really addressed directly. When I look back at the body of my work, it is obvious where I have subconsciously explored these feelings. In deciding to make this piece with more focus, I found that it drained and took a lot out of me. I worked on it tirelessly until it all came into focus, and when it did, I felt a tidal wave of exhaustion but also relief.
I feel like the time is right to share these stories. They will provide context for this work.
My first crush was a pretty blonde girl. We were in first grade, at a primary school in Sydney. She taught me how to tie my shoes.
My second big crush was one of my teammates on my swim team. Tall and beautiful, an adolescent boys dream. We were in grade six, going to one of the nicer public schools in Male’ City. It was around then when my troubles began.
While I had this crush, I was also experimenting with a classmate. Another boy. We would try things together, but he would never kiss me. No, that would be too gay.
A few months into this, it came time for the annual school play. The teachers were so shit that I had to write and direct it myself. It was about a satirical news channel called Crazy Lunatic News. I even managed to sneak in some nonsense making fun of Maumoon, who was still ruling as a dictator at the time (with a sketch about going to the moon, real original right?).
While hanging out with the kids in that group we would chat about the dumb things that kids that age would talk about. When the topic of sex came up, I boldly offered the proposition that guys had it way better because we could f*** but also get f***ed.
You see for me, I had never really thought of as being straight was a thing. I thought people just liked who they liked.
My schoolmates obviously did not think the same. Soon rumours swirled that I was gay. Super gay. Just absolutely bent. All while I had this hopeless crush on this girl.
To add to this tragedy, another girl, who apparently I guess might have had a crush on me, started claiming that she was my girlfriend. In retrospect its clear that she was trying to protect me. But at the time it really pissed me off because I thought it would hurt my chances with the girl that I liked. So I did the totally rational and understanding thing of yelling at her in front of a bunch of people about how she should stop telling lies.
All of a sudden I understood all the homophobia that I had been growing up with. The big insult then, and still now, for a gay male is firihen kulhi (lit. male play - the popular slur for lesbians being anhen kulhi or female play). The walls of the school, the tables, the toilet walls, would be littered with scribbles saying FK this FK that.
I should mention that by this point I had already been getting shit all my life for my name, Hani. It sounds too much like honey. Harmless enough most places, but in the Maldives, Honey was the name of an infamous cross dressing person (they may also possibly be trans, I am not sure). Honey was constantly getting arrested for wearing dresses, which most Maldivians found to be the absolute height of comedy. They got so much entertainment from his ostracisation and suffering that the fallout fell onto me. Hani. The boy with the name that sounds like Honey.
All of a sudden I became labeled as FK. And that made me scared that maybe I really was gay. If I was gay, then I would be FK, and then people really wouldn’t leave me alone. And not only the people, but god too. God would make sure I didn’t escape even if I died.
So when high school started, I buried everything and went and hid deep in the closet. I would not really think about my sexuality beyond straight or perhaps a tiny bit bicurious for years to come.
Instead, during the early days of high school, I would lie in bed and choke myself, hoping to die. Luckily this is almost impossible to do to yourself.
When the 2004 tsunami hit the Maldives, I was in grade 9. Fearing that we would all go to hell, the extremist preachers stepped up their game and started what would be a very successful radicalisation campaign. Fearing that their children would get lost at sea, parents all over got their kids mobile phones. Phones we would use in class to share dirty photos and porn.
Somehow at least two homophobes got my number and immediately began to send me hateful messages non-stop. At this point I was deeply in denial so it was incredibly distressing. Who would I even talk to about this? If I told anyone then I would really be like Honey.
In the meantime I began to express my self hatred upon my own body in increasingly more violent ways. It is kind of a blur so I am not entirely sure when or how it started. I think it might have been even before the tsunami and the texts.
I would steal away matches and light little fires on the back of my hand. Onto this same spot I would pour candle wax, and sometimes just push the candle and matches inside. The skin eventually would break and form a gross wound. Smack dab in the middle of the back of my right hand. Hardly a hidden spot. Yet nobody really noticed anything.
In a truly bizarre cry for help I would hide the shape made by the wound in the design of a birthday card I made to invite my schoolmates.
It was also around this time that I discovered that sniffing glue made you high. I am pretty sure I tried it immediately after hearing some PSA about the dangers of it. This led to experiments with various cough syrups, most of which had extremely not fun chemicals in them like DXM and Diphenhydramine. I also learned how to crush pills and extract codeine. None of it really helped. There is more beyond these anecdotes that I will share when the time is right.
In a way this piece is the mirror to my previous self portrait “My Hijab (In Bloom)”. If that work represents me in my current state, this one represents how I was.
Being torn apart and manipulated. Forced to hide my true self. Yet through the wounds you can see flowers blooming. Flowers that would protect me, guard me, nourish me. They represent my queer family who have always been there for me, even when I did not know it.
It is 2022, and the Maldives still does not recognise LGBTQIA+ people, and neither does it recognise freedom of conscience, the right to believe what you want to believe. Queer atheists and people from other religions are just as subjugated as queer Muslims. Even being an ally is dangerous.
In essence, the Maldives does not recognise the right of its citizens to have their own identity. There is much talk of mental health initiatives, but what of the mental health of people being bullied and ostracised by an entire nation for who they are? You really expect some kid to be able to tell a therapist or whatever their deep fears and traumas are, when they do not even have the comfort of asking the police for help? Calling the police is not something queer or non-Muslim Maldivians do. There is much to say about this but I will leave that there.
I once hid my scars, but the time for that is now long past. I feel like I have awoken from a long sleep.
31 Dhivehi Haikus for the month of August
In August during lockdown, I wrote a haiku in Dhivehi each day. It started off with simple Thaana text on black background, and slowly evolved to incorporate my photographs. It is nice to write haikus in Dhivehi as the structure lends itself nicely to counting the syllables.
The poems themselves seemed to take on a very self reflective nature, with common themes being the ocean, Maldivian life, and life in Male’ City.
I have included english translations for each of them. However do note that sometimes the meaning and syllable structure is lost somewhat in translation.
Originally posted on my instagram.
In August during lockdown, I wrote a haiku in Dhivehi (the Maldivian language) each day. It started off with simple Thaana text on black background, and slowly evolved to incorporate my photographs. It is nice to write haikus in Dhivehi as the structure lends itself nicely to counting the syllables.
The poems themselves seemed to take on a very self reflective nature, with common themes being the ocean, Maldivian life, and life in Male’ City.
I have included english translations for each of them. However do note that sometimes the meaning and syllable structure is lost somewhat in translation.
Originally posted on my instagram.
1st
Kalaayaa nulaa
Udun ohey tharithah
Bimuga jehey
Without you
The stars that cascade from the heavens
Crash into the earth
2nd
Kulagadha maa
Kalaa chischis kolleema
Hithi zuvaankan
Vivid flowers
Because you crushed
Bitter youth
3rd
Kandu omaan rey
Dhashu udhuhey mahéh
Huvafén gâs
Calm ocean night
A fish flying beneath
Dream tree
4th
ބޯއަޅާލާފަ
ރޫހު އެއްކޮށް ގުޅިފަ
މަޑިކިލަނބު
Boa alhaalaafa
Roohu éhkoh gulhifa
Madikilanbu
Lay your head
Souls link together
Milky Way (galaxy)
5th
ލޭބޯ ކަކުނި
ހަމަހިމޭން މަދިރި
ލޮލުގެ ނިޔާ
Leyboa kakuni
Hamahimeyn madhiri
Lolugé niyaa
Bloodsucking crab
Serene mosquito
A judgment of the eyes
6th
މޫތައް ދަށުގަ
ވަރުގަދަ ހިޔާލެއް
ދުނިޔެ ނިމުން
Moothah dhashuga
Varugadha hiyaaléh
Dhuniyé nimun
Beneath the roots
A powerful thought
The end of the world
7th
މާސިންގާ ކަނޑު
ތިމާ ބޮލަށް ވެއްޓުނަސް
ބިރަކާ ނުލާ
Maasingaa kandu
Thimaa bollah vettunas
Birakaa nulaa
Boundless ocean
Even if it were to fall on my head
Without fear
8th
This one is for @moyameehaa #findmoyameehaa
މޮޔަވީދޯދެން
ލޯބީގެ ދުޝްމަނުންތައް
ދިވެހި ރާއްޖެ
Moyaveedhoa dhen
Loabeegé dhushmanunthah
Dhivehi Raajjé
Guess we’ve gone mad
The enemies of love
Kingdom of the Islanders
Insta link
9th
މަގޭދަރިންތައް
ތިހާ ނުލަފާނަމަ
މުސީބާތެއްބާ
Magey dharinthah
Thihaa nulafaanama
Museebaathéhbaa
My children
If they were so cruel
A calamity(?)
10th
ހަނަފަސް އާބާދް
ހުވަފެންތައް ގެއްލިފަ
ފަނޑު ތަގްދީރު
Hanafas aabaadh
Huvafenthah gellifa
Fandu thagdheeru
An empty city
Lost dreams
Fortune faded
Insta link
11th
ވިހުރޭ ދިދަ
ދަށުގަ ހުސް ބަހަނާ
ގައުމީ ރޫހު
Vihurey dhidha
Dhashuga hus bahanaa
Gaumee roohu
Fluttering flag
Beneath, nothing but excuses
National spirit
12th
ހަމަހިމޭންކަން
ތިބާ ނޭވާލާ ހިނދު
ސުވަރުގޭގަ
Hamahimeynkan
Thibaa neyvaalaa hindhu
Suvarugeyga
Calm
As long as you’re breathing
In heaven
13th
ދުރު އުދަރެސް
ނާމާން ފަރުބަދަތައް
މުސްކުޅިވުން
Dhuru udhares
Naamaan farubadhathah
Muskulhivun
Distant horizon
Ominous mountains
Getting older
14th
ކަނޑު އަޑީގަ
ގާހަކައިގެ ސިއްރު
ވިއްސާރަދުނި
Kandu adeega
Gaahakaigé sirru
Vissaara dhuni
Under the sea
The giant clam’s secret
Rainbow
15th
އަނދިރި ޖައްވު
ދުރު ތަރިތަކެއްގެ
ހިޔަނި އެޅޭ
Andhiri javvu
Dhuru tharithakéh
Hiyani elhey
Dark space
Of distant stars
Shadows fall
16th
މާމެލާމެލި
ދަށުގަ ތާޖެއް
ނިކަގަސް ރާނީ
Maamelaameli
Dhashuga thaajjeh
Nikagas raanee
All the flowers
Beneath a crown
Banyan tree queen
Insta link
17th
ބިއްލޫރި ކަނޑު
ދުންތަރިތަކުގެ ލޭ
އިރު އޮށްސެނީ
Billoori kandu
Dhuntharithakugé ley
Iru ossennee
Glass ocean
Blood of comets
The sun is setting
Insta link
18th
ފިޔާތޮށި މާތައް
އަނދިރި އަނދިރި ރޭ
ވަގަށް ފޮޅިލާ
Fiyaathoshi maathah
Andhiri andhiri rey
Vaggah folhilaa
Pink flowers
On a dark night
Bloom coyly
19th
ހިތްހަމަޖެހޭ
ހަވީރުގެ ފިނިވައި
ހޫނު ސައިތައްޓެއް
Hihhamajehey
Haveerugé finivai
Hoonu saithahtteh
Contentment*
Cool evening breeze
A hot cup of tea
(*lit. Calm heart)
20th
ވަރުބަލިކަން
ގައިގަ ހަރުލައިފިއޭ
ފިނި އިހުސާސް
Varu balikan
Gaiga harulaifiey
Fini ihusaas
Exhaustion
Has taken over (my) body
Cold sensations
21st
ވިލުނޫ ހާރު
ރަން ރިހިވެލި ލިބާސް
ދިވެހިންގެ ލޭ
Vilunoo* haaru
Ran rihiveli libaas**
Dhivehingé*** ley
Turquoise necklace
Dress of gold and silver sands
The blood of islanders
*lit lagoon blue
**traditional Maldivian dress
***lit. Maldivian’s
Insta link
22nd
ފަތުރުވެރިން
އަޅުވެތިކަންމަތީ
ދަރިފަސްކޮޅު
Fathuruverin
Alhuvethikanmathee
Dharifaskolhu
Tourists
(Have) enslaved
Generations
23rd
ނުރައްކާތެރި
ބަސް ބަހުގެ މާނަތައް
ހަތިޔާރެކޭ
Nurakkaatheri
Bas bahugé maanathah
Hathiyaarekey
Dangerous
Intent of words
A weapon
Insta link
24th
ތޫނު ވިހަ ބޯ
މުއްސަނދި މުނާފިގުން
ނަންވާނީ މަދޯ
Thoonu vihaboa
Mussandhi munaafigun
Nanvaanee madhoa
Sip on sharp poison
Opulent hypocrites
Guess I’ll take the blame
25th
ބޯވަ ޖަންޖަލި
މުރަކަ މަހާނަގާ
ދުނިޔެ މަރާ
Boava jangali
Muraka mahaanagaa
Dhuniye maraa
Octopus garden
Coral tombstone
World killer
26th
މަށާ މިޔަރު
މާސިންގާ ކަނޑު ތެރޭ
މޫދުގެ ދަރިން
Mashaa miyaru
Maasingaa kandu therey
Moodhugé dharin
The shark and I
Within a vast ocean
Children of the sea
27th
އުޑު ބިންދާލާ
ގޮނގުރީޓު ފުރޭތަ
ނޭވާ ނުލެވޭ
Udu bindhaalaa
Gongureetu fureytha
Neyvaa nulevey
Break the sky
Concrete demon
Can’t breath
28th
ދުނިޔެ މަތީ
ބަލާބޮޑު މީހުންވެސް
ލޯބި ބޭނުންވޭ
Dhuniyé mathee
Balaabodu* meehunvés
Loabi beynunvey
In this world
Even troublesome people
Need love
29th
މަގޭ ހިޔަނި
ރަން ކުލައިގެ އަލިފާންް
ކަނު އަނދިރި
Magey hiyani
Ran kulaigé alifaan
Kanu andhiri
My shadow
Fires of gold
Pitch black
30th
ފޮރުވިފައިވާ
ކަނޑުގެ ހަޒާނާތައް
ވެލާގެ ސިއްރު
Foruvifaivaa
Kandugé hazaanaathah
Velaagé sirru
Hidden
Treasures of the ocean
The turtle’s secret
31st
ޒަމާނީ ފުލޯކް
ދިރުމެއްނެތް މޫނުތައް
ރޫހު މަރާލާ
Zamaanee fuloak
Dhirumehnei moonuthah
Roohu maraalaa
Modern forgeries
Lifeless faces
Kill the spirit
Splinters Act I - The Akasha Frontier is now available on Amazon.com!
On an Earth ravaged by climate change, the remnants of humanity live underneath the simulated skies of the umbrella cities. As a solution to the food and water crisis, the League of Nations looks to a new frontier. In the Akasha Sector, supertrawlers fish the oceans of Iris, while the mangroves of Atlantis are pumped dry for water.
Cellophane, a mysterious young woman from Atlantis, wakes up on Mars with no recollection of how she got there. Umar, a dealer of trafficked cocoa, struggles to make a living within the slums that exist within the Spine of the New Dubai umbrella. Kiedis, hoping to work on the supertrawler, hurtles out of the sun on a collision course towards the oceans of Iris. Meanwhile, Laxmi, a lieutenant in the League of Nations’ army, does her best to rise within the ranks so as to unravel the truth of her reality.
Their worlds will collide in Splinters Act I - The Akasha Frontier.
Cover design by @tanglootang / tanglootang.work.
Progress update on The Akasha Frontier
The Akasha Frontier (Book One of Splinters), is a science fantasy novel that I have been working on and off on for the past decade or so. It is inspired by Maumoon’s dictatorship, as well as the ravaging effects that climate change may have on our planet in the near future. It originally began as a short story, that slowly evolved into an entire universe. I began serious work on it in 2017, and I’m currently at a little over 30k words, so there is still a long way to go. Most of the time so far has been spent world building. However I’m pretty happy that I’ve managed to create a coherent narrative so far, and my characters and settings feel real to me in my mind. Now that the initial grind is over, writing is fun and I’m making good progress each day. Spending more time on this novel has been great for me as it has allowed me to write about my experiences in a totally different setting that is more detached from the madness of contemporary Maldives. Also a huge shoutout to the team behind Scrivener, an amazing piece of software that my disorganised mind would be totally lost without.
I currently do not want to share too much, but here are the opening pages to give you a taste of what it will be like.
[REDACTED]
2042 - Colonisation of Mars begins.
2065 - Climate change wreaks havoc on Earth. Crops begin to die out. Some areas start to become uninhabitable due to extreme temperatures.
2066 - The UN is disbanded. The most powerful nations join forces to create The League of Nations. Poorer nations are barred from joining, and as a result they slowly disappear.
2067 - The League assumes complete control over all academic and scientific institutions. Independent academic research is outlawed. Deemed outdated and dangerous, all printed media is burned. League controlled Artificial Intelligences automatically censor any scientific or educational materials on electronic media.
2068 - Colonies are fully established on Mars. The capital, Utopia, declares itself an independent nation. Free of League Control, they rapidly become the centre of commerce for the Sol System.
2070 - Exoplanetary mining starts on Mercury.
2073 - Political turmoil and unrest caused by the assassination of their leader results in Utopia falling back under control of the League.
2075 - [R E D A C T E D] is discovered on Mercury that when combined with [R E D A C T E D] on Mars can create an alloy that is impervious to heat.
2080 - The alloy revolutionises many industries, the most notable amongst them being space travel. Ships and probes are coated with a thin layer of the alloy which makes them invincible against heat and radiation.
2082 - Umbrella cities, enclosed constructions which are resistant to increasingly violent weather patterns, are established at Earth’s major metropolitan centres.
2084 - Scientific probes sent into the centre of the sun by the [R E D A C T E D] disappear mysteriously.
2085 - Earth experiences its first major global firestorm. All populations that lived outside of the umbrella cities are completely wiped out. Earth is a husk of its former self. A blue planet no more, what remains of the oceans are small lakes of acid where only the hardiest of microorganisms survive. Forests and other biomes are non-existent.
2086 - It was discovered that the probes were emerging in the [R E D A C T E D]. It was decided that this information must remain secret from the general public at all costs.
2088 - The League of Nations unveils the discovery of two new habitable planets; a new frontier, one that will serve as a solution to the food and resource crisis. They call the system the Akasha Frontier.
2090 - The first colonists depart for Iris and Atlantis on titanic drone ships.
2096 - Atlantis becomes the major supplier of Earths water; massive pumps begin to bleed the ocean planet dry. Scattered farming colonies are established on their borders. Some farmers escape the official zones to create their own breakaway villages. The League allows them to live in peace as they do not perceive the farmers, who are completely deprived of modern technology, as a threat to their operations. Meanwhile, Iris is home to several tightly regulated plantations that grow luxury organic produce. It is also home to the mega-trawler; a gigantic floating city that cruises the waters, indiscriminately capturing whatever marine resources it happens to come across. On Iris, deserters are treated much less kindly and are shot on sight.
2142 - The present. 100 years since the colonisation of Mars began.
Maldives Twitter wakes up to a fever dream where everyone is Ali Rameez
At 12AM on Friday the 23rd of November 2018, a whole bunch of Maldivian twitter users changed their profile pictures to the one above. It shows a young Ali Rameez leaning back, relaxing his head against his arm. The incident is referred to by some as #NationalAyyaDay.
At 12AM on Friday the 23rd of November 2018, a whole bunch of Maldivian twitter users changed their profile pictures to the one above. It shows a young Ali Rameez leaning back, relaxing his head against his arm. The incident is referred to by some as #NationalAyyaDay.
This is a bipartisan effort, okay? Whether you’re a snowflake or a YAG supporter or a feminist or a humanist, please come together for this one day so we can all celebrate the greatest Maldivian singer of all time: Ali Rameez. Happy #NationalAyyaDay! ♥️
— KeehveFA (@ShafaRameez) November 22, 2018
Mass confusion spread as everyone’s notifications looked the same.
Yup, giving up on trying to figure out who is who.
— Azzam Pompi Mohamed (@Pompeee) November 23, 2018
To make things worse, many users changed their names to song lyrics by the one time Maldivian king of pop. There was once a time when you could not walk two feet in the Maldives without hearing one of his songs on the TV or radio. I’d post more screenshots of the incident, but most people have already changed their pictures and names back. Guess the world can only take so much Ayya.
Of course I say one time because Ali Rameez is currently a violent extremist “sheikh” who constantly spreads hate and fear speech against Maldivian minorities such as non-Muslims and LGBTI+ people. While being a massive sexist of course. On top of this, he also regularly promotes such lovely things as child marriage.
In the above screenshot, the Dhivehi text reads “Islam dheenun beyru vejje meehaa; gathul kuraasheve’”, which roughly translates to “Slaughter those who leave Islam”.
The first comment below it reads “It is best if such children move to a country where they can get the freedoms that they want. No space for atheist in this country”.
It doesn’t take a genius to see how this encourages vigilante violence against non-Muslims. I suppose it is also worth pointing out again for the thousandth time that the Maldives is one of the few countries in the world whose constitution bans freedom of conscience.
Ali Rameez promotes these views on his official twitter account and his facebook page, where he also pimps out his extremist buddies from religious NGOs like Jammaiyathul Salaf.
A tale of two Ayyas. 32 x 32 pixel grid. Something I created in Pixaki in honor of the day.
With all this in mind, it shouldn’t be surprising to anyone that Ali Rameez hates his pop star past. He did famously dump all of his CD’s into the ocean after all.
Is singer/songwriter Ali Rameez and haabee Ali Rameez the same person? 🤔
— Refty (@Refty) November 23, 2018
So while people took the opportunity to mock / celebrate him by sharing his music and reminiscing about the days when he wasn't a psychopath, others took the opportunity to gaslight Maldivian minorities by claiming that the good sheikh was being bullied.
we advocate for tolerance and acceptance yet we are intolerant to those that have an understanding different to us. I really don't believe @aliramyz should be bullied and bashed like this. This has gone beyond a simple friendly joke. This needs to stop.
— Ghaanim (@Qhaany) November 23, 2018
This kind of gaslighting is typical from “liberal” Maldivians who fall head over heels to defend extremists yet never utter a single word in support of Maldivian minorities whose very existence is criminalized. As such I am sure these people are not ignorant of Ali Rameez’s extremism. Instead I think they are sympathetic. I think extremists like that say what these people are afraid of saying. What they really think.
You will never get any of these people to admit whether they support something as basic as freedom of conscience. However they will rarely admit they don’t support it either. Instead, they will prop up the extremists who have the courage to actually express such darkness. This is why I respect honest extremists who will say to my face that they want to kill me. I have no respect at all to closet conservatives like this who pretend to sit on a fence while they crap on minorities below. It is not an equal conversation when one side has their existence criminalized.
“liberal extremism” is a thing
— Shani 🍂 (@shani1i) November 23, 2018
Can you believe the audacity of such a statement from people who do not think their fellow Maldivians deserve constitutional recognition?
Wait till you are bashed and joked about for saying this.
— Mushfiga Waheed (@MushfigaWaheed) November 23, 2018
Comments like this one are referring to an incident in the past when a woman on twitter made extremely homophobic remarks. For once a lot of people on Maldivian twitter called out this woman for her blatantly bigoted remarks. Not this crowd of closet conservatives though. Much like this incident, back then they sided with the bigot being roasted. How could you bully such an innocent person they all decried.
This past event, and the common occurrence of conservatives and extremists to claim to be victims of “bullying”, is what has led to the creation of the local meme of “bleeing”.
stop bleeing ayya 😭😭 stop bleeing his extremist opinions 😭😭😭 stop admiring his flawless voice 😭😭😭 SAY NO TO BLEEING 😩 https://t.co/Bg2lymNMtV
— imran (@imlatheef) November 23, 2018
This type of gaslighting would be funny if it wasn’t the norm. Gaslighting, for those unfamiliar, is when an oppressor makes a person doubt their own memories and self. It is a common tactic used by abusive people against their partners.
Wikipedia defines it as “a form of psychological manipulation that seeks to sow seeds of doubt in a targeted individual or in members of a targeted group, making them question their own memory, perception, and sanity. “
They states that the signs of gaslighting are:
Withholding information from victim;
Countering information to fit the abuser's perspective;
Discounting information;
Verbal abuse, usually in the form of jokes;
Blocking and diverting the victim's attention from outside sources;
Trivializing the victim's worth; and,
Undermining victim by gradually weakening them and their thought process.
When have he ever advocated killing anyone he deems as infidels? Any reference?
— Mohamed Allam Naeem (@8laam) November 23, 2018
Observe this clear example from a tweet calling the original one out.
When he is okay with underage marriage. When he blames the rape victim always. These are the different views you talk about? Yes. I do have a problem with that.
— 𝕲𝖎𝖗𝖑 𝕴𝖓𝖙𝖊𝖗𝖗𝖚𝖕𝖙𝖊𝖉 (@Thathu182) November 24, 2018
Look at the response above. Ali Rameez is well known for blaming rape victims and his support for child marriage. Yet the original tweet dismisses this as having a “different understanding”.
It’s nice that everyone’s having a bit of fun.
— Mohamed Shuraih (@MohamedShuraih) November 23, 2018
But do try to keep in mind that @aliramyz thinks it’s okay to marry 13 year olds, promotes violent jihad, is a core member of Jamiyyathul Salaf, and advocates the death penalty for those he considers laadheenee.
The day led to some clashes within the more progressive parts (relative to the Taliban) of Maldivian twitter as well, with some people thinking that the incident downplayed Ali Rameez’s extremism.
Just for fun, would you put a pedo on your Twitter DP?
— @waddey (@waddey) November 23, 2018
I don't think so. kthnksbye
Isn't Ali Rameez known for his extremist religious views? 🤔 Love his songs but finding it strange to be so obsessed with him given who he is now.
— 🍞🌹 (@kopitaaaa) November 23, 2018
Some responses from the twitter cult leader responsible for this madness:
Haha hello my cult, what else should I do today after renouncing feminism and supporting Ali Rameez’s extremism, might fuck around and drop all my morals and principles and become someone N E W
— KeehveFA (@ShafaRameez) November 23, 2018
I would also like to tell you it’s not only Ali Rameez’s beautiful voice that mesmerizes me, it’s also his promotion of extremism (obviously), and presence in Jamiyyathul Salad (OBVIOUSLY) also in other news @imlatheef hates Ariana Grande 😭😭
— KeehveFA (@ShafaRameez) November 23, 2018
Kindly fuck off and let people fucking enjoy today, good lord! 😂 People woke up to an abundance of Ali Rameezs on their TL today, that is fucking AMAZING that it was pulled off. An, miothy than thanah thadhuvaa kudhinnah khaassa lavayeh ♥️https://t.co/hw61dHt1Jf
— KeehveFA (@ShafaRameez) November 23, 2018
Now that we’ve dealt with the drama and my existential bitterness, here are some of the funnier tweets from the day:
Kaia asking me the name of a random internet cat that popped up on my timeline. Told her the first name that popped into my mind. Ali Rameez. Thanks, twitter.
— EhJu (@EhJu) November 23, 2018
If you people don’t get sarcasm that’s really on you at this point. Brb listening to Nudhaashe Mage Loabiva for the 50th time today. :) https://t.co/TOb4K9xIaO
— KeehveFA (@ShafaRameez) November 23, 2018
Brain reading the entire timeline in Ali Rameez voice.
— EhJu (@EhJu) November 23, 2018
Ali: I'm no one's crush.
Ali: this cabinet is bullshit.
Ali: here's a cat.
Ali: I'd rather use tampons but they're too expensive
W E I R D
me, before and after listening to ali rameez’s emotional masterpiece maruvedhaaney maadhamaa gaimey pic.twitter.com/AzhMts5nDO
— imran (@imlatheef) November 23, 2018
#NationalAyyaDay
— Yuna Waheed 🎈❓ (@YuAeKito) November 23, 2018
Ayya:
Capitalising on his Freeze Band to make a Freeze Brand!
Ali Rameez towards the end of his music career was in a band called “Freeze Band”. Once he gave up music, he capitalized on this by creating “Freeze Brand” - a company that sells dried fish and other products. Gotta admit that some of their stuff is pretty delicious though.
Ali Rameez and me in the same frame #happiestmoment 😂 pic.twitter.com/kfdXFccxCx
— ⚫️⚪️TEDRY🎈❓ (@tedry) November 23, 2018
With all these Ali Rameez songs floating around, I’m sad I haven’t seen a single “Bunebala ladhu ganefaa erey”. Definitely one of my favourites. #NationalAyyaDay
— Shubbi (@shubaadam) November 23, 2018
On this auspicious day I was just blessed to see Ali Rameez on the road. 😱😱😱😱
— S-laughter (@heyshaha) November 23, 2018
I give up on checking who’s who, I’m liking everything in bulk now
— KeehveFA (@ShafaRameez) November 22, 2018
I can't pic.twitter.com/BmK40l9i3f
— Saaif Shiyad 🇲🇻 (@SaaifShiyad) November 22, 2018
Ayya had moves. #NationalAyyaDay pic.twitter.com/TT8s4o8mjQ
— immi 🐑 (@immimmii) November 22, 2018
The other day at uni i saw ali rameez and randomly started singing “dhanee dhanee” bc obviously i was leaving the uni
— salty (@thelulifaiyy) November 22, 2018
the first time ali rameez looked at me.
— Naura 🇲🇻 (@ayshathnaura) November 23, 2018
i was walking on sosun magu with a friend when we saw ali rameez and involuntarily shouted “EY ALI RAMEEEZ”. he looked, but looked away even faster. 😥#NationalAyyaDay
Since @ShafaRameez wanted me to do this so badly, like this tweet and I'll be brutally honest about your Twitter profile picture.
— Mi dhehiy vaathee, loabin gulhifaa (@haesham) November 23, 2018
Tb to the time i made eye contact with Ayya for a split second while eating pani puri @ the place infront of Iskandhar. He was having tea and looked away at the speed of light. Ma iny anga haluvan ves neyngifa
— KirimJehiBanas (@meynakambulo) November 23, 2018
The best part about this is how much I hate Ali Rameez and he still hasn't blocked me.
— San (@dontcallmesatan) November 23, 2018
Did you call him a finifenmaa ?
— Althaf🎈؟ (@AlthafAli_) November 23, 2018
— Musal (@FoniLunbo) November 23, 2018
The cat is screaming out lyrics to one of Ali Rameez’s hit songs “Finifenmalakey” (like a rose).
At the end I listened to all the heart broken Ali Rameez songs and now I feel like I have fallen out of love, hard. 😭💔 https://t.co/eVnWk4tmgQ
— Azzam Pompi Mohamed (@Pompeee) November 23, 2018
legends say people are still trying to get over the double vision of ayya from their twitter feeds 🤣🤣
— Awhosun (@awhosun) November 23, 2018
Marinating a chicken with bae. It's so hot man
— Shady 🎈❓ (@shadyfish) November 23, 2018
Ali Rameez had a particularly saucy hit video where he sensuously marinates a chicken with a beautiful woman. Probably one of the sources of his paranoia about his past sins.
#NationalAyyaDay, a day to honor the legendary Maldivian singer @aliramyz 🙏 pic.twitter.com/dTtVKU1WTw
— 🙏 آدم محمد (@Adamiington) November 23, 2018
I’d like to point out the fact that @semiicold has had his photo way before this started and I didn’t see it till after @FoniLunbo suggested this photo so a round of applause for him because we’re living in 2018 and he’s living in 3018. We stan! 👏🏾
— KeehveFA (@ShafaRameez) November 22, 2018
Go Vote
The message this election from all sides of the Maldivian political spectrum has been clear. We do not want you. We do not respect you. We will not tolerate you.
Election Season. Male’, Maldives. (2009).
The message this election from all sides of the Maldivian political spectrum has been clear. We do not want you. We do not respect you. We will not tolerate you.
When you run out of anything intelligent to say, you resort to laadheenee. When even that doesn't work, it's all sorcerers and sihuru.@yaamyn, 14 September 2013
— Notes from Yaamyn (@notesfromyaamyn) September 11, 2018
Yes. The message is clear. There is "no space" for us. No space for the kinds of Maldivians deemed unacceptable by the conservative majority. It may come as a shock to those unfamiliar with the Maldivian political context that even the opposition - those martyrs of democracy - also echo these far-right sentiments.
Indeed, the current election, like all Maldivian elections thus far, is not about democracy but about who gets to lead the theocracy. What else do you call a nation without freedom of conscience? What else do you call a place where LGBTQIA+ lives are criminalised?
The loudsst campaign song is “my aqeedha is better than yours.”
— Ish 🎈 (@IshAfeef) September 15, 2018
There is a lot to unravel here, but since I began with the election, let’s keep this about politics. The fact of the matter is that it is completely illegal for certain kinds of Maldivians to organise themselves politically. The constitution bans non-Muslims from being recognised as Maldivian. It also makes LGBTQIA+ lives illegal by deeming their existence un-Islamic. It is worth noting that this is not stated specifically. It is instead assumed from the various clauses in the constitution that outlaw anything against "Islam". LGBTQIA+ people are thus assumed to be against Islam, even though many who live in the Maldives are Muslims themselves.
So, no constitutional recognition and thus none of the rights that come along with it. We cannot make our own NGOs, political parties, newspapers, artist collectives, nothing. So when you hear these so called "democracy" and "human rights" activists speak of "worsening" press and political freedoms know that they are only speaking of the degradation of the rights of the "right" kind of Maldivian. Know that when Maldivian NGOs, even those with international affiliation, speak of "human rights abuse" they are only speaking of the abuse of those Maldivians which they consider human. Cis-gendered heterosexual Sunni Muslims. Yes, even Muslims of other sects or beliefs are excluded from this very narrow definition of what it means to be Maldivian. Even our great Muslim dictator Maumoon crushed other forms of Muslim belief to the point where it bred extremism and discontent. So much for Muslim solidarity.
If you think I am being facetious, here is a challenge for you. Find research from any of these NGOs, or even government agencies, about Maldivian minorities such as non-Muslims, Muslims of other sects or beliefs, and LGBTQIA+ people. Demographic research. Qualitative research on their lived experiences. Research on their needs, research about how they feel living in a country where their very existence is criminalised. Research about the effects of being born to a place that denies you the right to even identify with that place. A few stories even. Anything. I guarantee you that at the time of this writing nothing substantial exists. Why would it? These NGOs are run by people who are a part of the conservative majority as well. The idea that simply being tangentially involved in democracy or human rights makes one a true supporter of such rights is laughable.
So here we are. At the cusp of another theocratic war. To add insult to injury these democracy activists have no qualms about asking minorities whom they themselves neither recognise or respect for their vote. By guaranteeing our erasure they ensure that the votes are halal. 100% Muslim. Despite all of this they will guilt trip you into voting for the opposition, by saying that if you don't vote things will get worse.
And it is true. Things will get worse. For the right kinds of Maldivian. For the wrong kinds of Maldivians. For the dheenee Maldivians as well as the laadheenee Maldivians. So, go vote for the hypocrites who oppress you. The vile lions of democracy who use the lives of people like us to slander their opponents. Vote so they can win, and claim a victory against people like us. Vote for the lesser monster so you can (hopefully) live to vote another day. Vote so you can one day tell them all the things they wish you'd forget.
So in the spirt of remembering things that our oppressors would like us to forget, I’d like to end this essay with a quote from Ahmed Rilwan AKA Moyameehaa, who at the time of writing has been missing for more than 1502 days.
“When Shariah overrides law, and this Shariah is the word of any bearded Sheikh; I don’t think this is a very democratic picture. We all need to uphold the law and respect it. But for this to happen, the laws should treat everyone equally, it should be clear and understood by all, it should not be too vague, it should not be overridden by anything (including the words of random Sheikhs). Since the constitution does not define ‘Islam’ or ‘Islamic’ Shariah, it is left for the gang of Mullahs who are in bed with the ruling government to define it as they wish.
Such unquestionable and absolute power held by one small group of people will never yield any good results. It is a door to corruption and absolutism. This is exactly why I support secularism, a state where religion cannot be used against people and for political gains. This is not the un-Islamic thing, but rather the only islamic thing to do. The Quran clearly forbids such worship of Sheikhs (9:31). it also tells that individuals are responsible for their OWN actions and that God gave us free will and intellect to test if we do the right thing. All the three estates of the state and the personal lives of individuals need not be policed by a bunch of Sheikhs who claims to be men of God. May Allah save us from his followers that have gone astray. Amen.”
Three Classic Maldivian Music Videos That Totally Don't Normalise Street Harassment
Street harassment is a huge issue in the Maldives. Many women share stories about how they get harassed almost every single day while just walking to work. This has led to many social movements, such as #Nufoshey (don't harass).
The Maldivian entertainment industry has historically led the charge against harassment, responding to this atmosphere of fear by creating some groundbreaking music videos that both shocked and enlightened, dramatically reducing the incidence of street harassment in their wake. Here are three shining examples.
Street harassment is a huge issue in the Maldives. Many women share stories about how they get harassed almost every single day while just walking to work. This has led to many social movements, such as #Nufoshey (don't harass).
Street Harassment impacts the lives of harassed persons & cause various disruptions to their daily routine. Majority of the respondents took a different route to avoid harassment (76.6%), avoided going out alone (66.8%), or avoided areas where they felt unsafe (67.3%) #nufoshey pic.twitter.com/ivQOctFPRf
— Nufoshey (@nufoshey) February 11, 2018
The Maldivian entertainment industry has historically led the charge against harassment, responding to this atmosphere of fear by creating some groundbreaking music videos that both shocked and enlightened, dramatically reducing the incidence of street harassment in their wake. Here are three shining examples. This was initially meant to be a list of ten but my poor brain can only handle so much.
1. Farivefa Fonivefa (Dolled up and prideful)
This timeless classic of Maldivian media stars Reeko Moosa and Mariyam Nisha. The cheery chorus goes "Farifeva fonivefa dhaathee govaa hivvey, ekeega hingaa hivvey" (I want to call out to you as you pass by all dolled up and prideful, I want to walk with you), "Nuruhifa hure' mi dhimaa thibalaalee hey? Varrah aillaa hivvey" (Did you glance in my direction disapprovingly? I really want to touch you).
Reeko plays a pilot who takes work place harassment very seriously.
So seriously that he works multiple jobs just to keep up his daily quota.
Reeko demonstrates how people used to slide into DMs before twitter.
Observe how the alpha male clings to his target like a great cologne.
I wonder how Nisha keeps recognising this master of disguise. Maybe its the hair.
Reeko finally corners his prey on a dhoni. As they head off into the blue yonder, he can rest easy knowing that for her the only escape would be to jump overboard.
2. Jaaney Dhoove' Jaan
The chorus of this gem is pretty hard to translate. It goes something like "jaaney dhoove' jaan, heeleemaa vaa gurubaan", which roughly translates to something like "I might loose my soul, a sacrifice/devotion (for thee) when you smile". The reason for this might be because the song, like most Dhivehi songs pumped out by the industry, is a "copy song" where Dhivehi lyrics are made to fit into an existing song, which in this case is the classic "Jaanu meri jaan". Even the video tries to copy the plot of the original. Just think of this as the dollar store version made by the high class yokels of the Indian Ocean.
The story begins with the wholesome premise of women running away from men.
In an interview with Variety, esteemed director Christopher Nolan said that this scene was the inspiration for Dunkirk (2017).
Who is this guy? Why is he in this video? We may never know. Perhaps there is a creepy old background perv quota that the industry has to maintain. Political correctness gone mad amirite.
Meanwhile, the battle continues along the shoreline.
As hostilities rage on into the night, a kind of Stockholm syndrome appears to set in.
Totally brainwashed by their relentless charm, the women now begin courting the men; all while Pervatron spies lustfully from a nearby ship. The guys of course play it cool, as if they hadn't spent most of the day hurling these women around like rag dolls.
Alls well that ends well, as our heroes dance away into the night with their new partners.
3. Jaadhoogar (Magician/Sorcerer)
This time the whole crew is in on the action, frolicking along with our hero as he makes his dream girl wonder why she ever bothers leaving the house in the first place.
The chorus goes "Gasthugaa dhaanamey geydhoshun jaadhoogar" (The magician will purposely go by your house). Well at least this shit isn't happening by accident!
This video isn't all bad though. Observe one of our heroes as he saves a poor lady who wandered into the middle of the road, after her harassment addled brain made her think she was a motor vehicle.
You've gotta wonder what it would be like to watch one of these things being directed. "No! You don't look annoyed enough! Now again, with more venom!". Could this be the manifestation of some kind of fetish?
The safe word is "Zuleyhaa".
Our mage must have levelled up his charisma, because his love spell suddenly seems to start working. See guys, persistence does pay off!
The song ends with Mr. Big Wheels not getting lucky like the rest of his posse. Guess he should have harassed her just a little bit more.
![The Dhivehi Film Industry - An analysis of Reeko Moosa's Dhanmalhi (1993) [PART ONE]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/525ead10e4b03a9509e1cbf7/1466571370761-IWUROJZ892XOYKFTJ0VB/Dhanmalhi+cast.png)
Fear of Humanity
There is not a moment where I am truly at ease. An innocent knock on the door in the middle of the day can create a crippling sense of dread. Is it just the postman? Or is it death come knocking? At night, it is even worse. What darkness lies at the end of the dim hall when I wake to relieve myself when all else is quiet?
There is not a moment where I am truly at ease. An innocent knock on the door in the middle of the day can create a crippling sense of dread. Is it just the postman? Or is it death come knocking? At night, it is even worse. What darkness lies at the end of the dim hall when I wake to relieve myself when all else is quiet?
You begin to wonder how it would feel. To have your flesh sliced open by a cold steel blade. To have your brethren mercilessly slash at your mortal coil until you lay dead in a pool of your own blood and sinew. Would it hurt? Who would find me first? Would it be the ones who are dearest to me? I think that would be the worst thing. To have your life stolen from you so that instead of joy, you leave behind terror; a warning.
What would people say of it? No doubt the first thing that would escape the lips of most Maldivians I know are questions about what I had said. How had I blasphemed. Why had I deserved it.
Am I perhaps being too harsh on Maldivians? I once brought up the subject of my impending demise to a close friend, a Muslim who isn’t from the Maldives. If Allah willed me to survive, the blade would miss he reasoned. And if I were to die, perhaps I would be cleansed of the sin of being an apostate. He even went so far as to suggest that maybe my would be killers are actually looking out for me, ensuring with my murder at their hands that I too would have a worthy place in heaven. All of this he said with a straight face. I became angry that day, but it was pointless. Some people will never understand what it is like to live in such fear and I must accept that.
It all begins to feel a little bit like a self fulfilling prophecy. When I was in high school I wrote and directed an absurdist stage play where I starred as the central character - an ice cream salesman with more than a passing resemblance to Hitler. The plot involved a man, a school teacher, with blue skin that hated difference. During the course of the play I would further corrupt this hypocrite, and together we would slowly murder the rest of the cast - a collection of odd people and creatures - with my poisoned explosive ice cream. At the end of the play, I meet my demise at the hands of the police who would shoot me to bits.
Ironically, it was a complete lack of trust of the Maldivian police that led me to seek the protection of another country; a country where my very existence would not be illegal. When someone from a Maldivian minority asks the police for help, they can always be sure that they will become the criminal; rather than the ones that seek to harm them. The cowardly attempt to murder Hilath Rasheed, and the brutal killing of Yameen Rasheed, and the police response to both incidents are proof of this fact. Both reported that their lives were in danger. Neither were taken seriously by those with the power to keep them safe. To make matters worse, it is no comfort that the fate of Ahmed Rilwan is still unknown.
Despite the protection of a sane police force and a government that respects my right to exist, the fear does not subside. The tentacles of radicalism grip the world in a chokehold. Some places are safer, yet nowhere is safe from those that suffer from that terrible affliction - a fear of humanity. A fear of thinking. A fear of living. A fear of love. A fear of sex. A fear of art. A fear of music. A fear of dancing. A fear of our own naked bodies. A fear of all those attributes that make us human.
It is past midnight. The crunch of footsteps outside breaks an uneasy silence. My senses heighten. Are they just walking down the road? Or are they coming up the path? I strain my ears. They’re coming up the path! It’s just my housemate, I tell myself, trying to calm myself down. But how could I know for sure? A sound at the front door. My heart pounds in my chest. A key turns a lock and the footsteps are now in the hallway. It must be my housemate. Only they have the keys. But how could I know for sure? Is this it? Are they inside the house? I look at my bedroom door. Will it suddenly burst open? The door is old and not very strong. What would I use to defend myself? Should I wake up my partner, who lies asleep next to me, blissfully unaware? A familiar cough breaks the silence. It is my housemate. Tonight, like all those other nights, I was safe all along.
But how could I know for sure? Paranoia might seem like a useless emotion, but what if you have a reason to be paranoid?What if my paranoia is the only thing that will ultimately keep me alive? I’d rather live in dread than leave behind a mangled corpse; spreading the terror of another mans agenda from beyond the grave. So I double check the locks at night. I stay awake until I can tire myself to sleep. I seek the demons in the shadows. I live with my fear of humanity, lest my humanity leave me.
5 sociological concepts that every Maldivian should know
05. Structure & Agency
“In the social sciences there is a standing debate over the primacy ofstructure or agency in shaping human behavior. Structure is the recurrent patterned arrangements which influence or limit the choices and opportunities available.[1] Agency is the capacity of individuals to act independently and to make their own free choices.[1] The structure versus agency debate may be understood as an issue of socializationagainst autonomy in determining whether an individual acts as a free agent or in a manner dictated by social structure.”
Maumoon Abdul Gayoom - Dictator of the Maldives from 1978 - 2008. Photograph via wikipedia.
Maldivian Example :
During Maumoon's dictatorship (1978 - 2008), one of the structures that shaped our behavior can be defined as his authoritarian regime. Agency was severely limited in the way that criticizing his regime, even though it was not technically illegal, would still land you in a lot of trouble. As such freedom of press was severely controlled. This is evident in the way that all newspapers had to tow the government line and in how the state broadcaster TVM (Television Maldives) was the only local television station to allow to air for almost the entirety of his dictatorship.
The legacy of Maumoon's dictatorship is clear in the insistence by most Maldivians that the Maldives is "100% Muslim". This is maintained by the Maldivian constitution (the structure) and how it restricts the freedom of consciousness (in other words the agency) of Maldivians by stating that all citizens are required to be Muslims .
How is this useful practically though? Well for instance one could analyse the influence of structure and agency on the suicide of Ismail Mohamed Didi, a 25 year old atheist who committed suicide after being refused asylum. What structures of Maldivian society drove him to the decision to take his life? Was his dramatic death, hanging himself off the airport control tower of a nation so reliant on tourists, a final scream demonstrating his autonomy?
04. Dramaturgy
"In dramaturgical sociology it is argued that the elements of human interactions are dependent upon time, place, and audience. In other words, to Goffman, the self is a sense of who one is, a dramatic effect emerging from the immediate scene being presented.[3] Goffman forms a theatrical metaphor in defining the method in which one human being presents itself to another based on cultural values, norms, and beliefs. Performances can have disruptions (actors are aware of such), but most are successful. The goal of this presentation of self is acceptance from the audience through carefully conducted performance. If the actor succeeds, the audience will view the actor as he or she wants to be viewed.[4] "
Maldivian Example:
Maldivian celebrity Ali Rameez, singing with his band before he transformed himself into an extremist preacher. He now appears to run a sizable network of radicals and is involved with indoctrinating the public on a daily basis.
Consider politicians, religious scholars, the MNDF and the police. They are all wearing their own uniforms and when they wear this uniform, they act in a certain way. Politicians wear the uniform of suits and ties and go to great lengths to appear "professional". A politician would not wear a mundu to parliament as this would clash with the image they are trying to present. Similarly, religious scholars also put considerable effort into maintaining their appearance. This is apparent to the extent that you can even somewhat discern the sect the preacher is affiliated with through their appearance. A salafi preacher for instance, would almost never take to the stage without his beard or rolled up trousers . As such, politicians and preachers, when they interact with the public, put on a performance. The way they speak with the public will not be the same way that they speak with their peers and it will not be the same as the way they speak to their families. This is how you get alcohol drinking politicians and adulterous preachers giving incendiary speeches about how natural events such as the tsunami occurred because of a lack of morals on our behalf.
This is of course not limited to just people of a certain profession but to everyone; except perhaps a hermit living by themselves. Simply consider how your parents act around you and then how they act around themselves, or how you act around your parents compared to how you act around your close friends .
03. Labelling Theory
"Labeling theory is the theory of how the self-identity and behavior of individuals may be determined or influenced by the terms used to describe or classify them. It is associated with the concepts of self-fulfilling prophecy and stereotyping. Labeling theory holds that deviance is not inherent to an act, but instead focuses on the tendency of majorities to negatively label minorities or those seen as deviant from standard cultural norms.[1] The theory was prominent during the 1960s and 1970s, and some modified versions of the theory have developed and are still currently popular. A stigma is defined as a powerfully negative label that changes a person's self-concept and social identity.[2]"
Maldivian example:
Are you from the MDP? A yellow person? According to the PPM you must be a ganja smoking alcoholic!
Are you from the PPM? A pink (or is it magenta?) person? According to the MDP you are a brainwashed drone incapable of thinking for yourself.
Are you an atheist? According to the MDP and PPM you are a nasty Islamophobe funded by zionists and you're probably addicted to heroin too.
Are you a salafi? According to the atheists you are a brainwashed drone incapable of thinking for yourself.
Are you a police officer? According to almost everyone in the Maldives you're a brainwashed drone incapable of thinking for yourself that has no sincere intent of even trying to adhere to the motto of "protect and serve".
Are you not straight? According to almost everyone in the Maldives you're probably having sex with animals too.
Are you a drug addict? According to almost everyone in the Maldives you're a lost cause and a waste of oxygen.
With this last example, think about the effects this stigma would have on such a person in terms of getting out of the situation that led them to the addiction in the first place. Do you think they would see the error of their ways or would their addiction worsen as they attempted to ease the pain of further ostracization? This might also explain why so many people from Maldivian minorities (they themselves being severely ostracized ) appear to also suffer from some kind of drug addiction.
This can also apply to members of Maldivian gangs who are often discriminated against and stereotyped by using the term "partey(s)". A person joins such a gang because society has rejected them, because they find acceptance within that community; do you honestly think rejecting them further is the solution to get people out of those situations?
02. Social constructionism
"Social constructionism or the social construction of reality (also social concept) is a theory of knowledge in sociology and that examines the development of jointly constructed understandings of the world. It assumes that understanding, significance, and meaning are developed not separately within the individual, but in coordination with other human beings. The elements most important to the theory are (1) the assumption that human beings rationalize their experience by creating a model of the social world and how it functions and (2) that language is the most essential system through which humans construct reality.[1]"
Maldivian example:
What is the difference between a "raajje' therey meehaa" (literally - someone from within the kingdom, but often used as a derogatory term in the way someone might call someone a "country bumpkin" ) and a "Male' meehaa" (literally - someone from the capital city of Male', but often used as a derogatory term in the way someone might call someone a "city slicker")?
The differences are entirely constructed by society and it is maintained by several structures of Maldivian society; including the language itself which is divided into several levels of "politeness" and "sacredness" depending purely on class.
The same can be said for our performances of gender. Consider our constructions of gender in terms of our change of garments from the past to those of today. From the libaas and feyli to either the Western garbs of globalisation or the Arabian garbs of religious indoctrination. At the moment many people believe that women are somehow deficient in their capacity to lead and use religious justifications to make arguments against the idea that a woman may become the leader of a nation. As Maldivian society progresses, these ideas will be left by the wayside; but it doesn't mean that women suddenly became inherently more or less capable, it simply means that our perceptions around the idea have changed.
01. McDonaldisation
Ritzer highlighted four primary components of McDonaldization:
Efficiency – the optimal method for accomplishing a task. In this context, Ritzer has a very specific meaning of "efficiency". In the example of McDonald's customers, it is the fastest way to get from being hungry to being full. Efficiency in McDonaldization means that every aspect of the organization is geared toward the minimization of time.[3]
Calculability – objective should be quantifiable (e.g., sales) rather than subjective (e.g., taste). McDonaldization developed the notion that quantity equals quality, and that a large amount of product delivered to the customer in a short amount of time is the same as a high quality product. This allows people to quantify how much they're getting versus how much they’re paying. Organizations want consumers to believe that they are getting a large amount of product for not a lot of money. Workers in these organizations are judged by how fast they are instead of the quality of work they do.[3]
Predictability – standardized and uniform services. "Predictability" means that no matter where a person goes, they will receive the same service and receive the same product every time when interacting with the McDonaldized organization. This also applies to the workers in those organizations. Their tasks are highly repetitive, highly routine, and predictable.[3]
Control – standardized and uniform employees, replacement of human by non-human technologies
With these four principles of the fast food industry, a strategy which is rational within a narrow scope can lead to outcomes that are harmful or irrational. As these processes spread to other parts of society, modern society’s new social and cultural characteristics are created. For example, as McDonald’s enters a country and consumer patterns are unified, cultural hybridization occurs.
Maldivian example:
What would make the Maldives a perfect luxury tourist destination? The subtraction of the local population of course. But until that day, drones will have to do. It will be a very uninteresting society, but it will be absolute perfection in terms of providing a predictable service. For this one I'd like you, if you'd please, to think about this one for yourselves a bit. Where do you think the Maldives is truly heading? Do you think enough is being done to preserve our history and culture - especially it's ancient past? Do you think the Maldivian society elevates an individual to be all they can be, or does it mould a person for subservience?
Note: All of the examples I have provided are very basic and might not even be that accurate in terms of the broader theories involved. Do not listen to anyone expecting easy answers about any of these things. As with everything else I highly suggest you do your own independent research and come to your own conclusions.
A POLICY OF DESTRUCTION - From 'The Maldive Islanders' by Xavier Romero-Frias
This is the final chapter of Xavier Romero-Frias' "The Maldive Islanders". With the direction the Maldives appears to be heading in, it is perhaps even more relevant now than when it was first written. If you wanted to know why so little is done to preserve Maldivian culture and heritage, this is why.
This is the final chapter of Xavier Romero-Frias' "The Maldive Islanders". With the direction the Maldives appears to be heading in, it is perhaps even more relevant now than when it was first written. If you wanted to know why so little is done to preserve Maldivian culture and heritage, this is why.
A POLICY OF DESTRUCTION
The relentless effort to promote Arabic cultural values within the Maldive island society is allegedly made with very good intentions. Its supporters claim to hold the monopoly of moral and spiritual values, and steadfastly affirm that their aim is to create a more virtuous society. However, local resistance against the arbitrary imposition of an alien desert culture on this equatorial oceanic nation has never been officially defined or at least assessed and has rather been stubbornly ignored. Hence, as the saying goes “the road to hell is paved with good intentions” and, humans the world over being who they are, as soon as a new law to promote virtue is enforced, a new trick to circumvent that very law pops up.
The result is that the country has become a virtual police state, but certainly the society is not becoming any more virtuous. Lacking perspective of their cultural identity, average island people are simply helpless to fight back the cultural forgery imposed on them. The state religion has been Islam for the past eight centuries and, in the eyes of the islanders, Islam is synonymous with a formidable machine of power and authority which cannot be contested. Thus, Maldivians have to put up with the role of remaining passive onlookers when freshly arrived Arabic teachers or ‘holy men’ harshly criticize their own island traditions with impunity.
It is a secretly acknowledged fact, though, that within the island population there are many who feel that they are traveling on a boat which is going in the opposite course they wish to go, but they feel helpless to do anything about it. This conflict is, if anything, compounded by the intense propagation of hard-line Islamic ideologies, including the construction of mosques and Arabic religious schools137 throughout the country since 1978.
The Arab religious schools, fruit of the petrodollar wealth, were first opened in the capital Male' in 1983 and they set a pattern of cultural and political indoctrination for schools all across the Maldive Islands.138 Boys or girls attending those schools have problems having pride in their own culture because they have been pitched against the basic Maldive cultural values ever since their first classes. One unavoidable side-effect of Islamic education is that students end up admiring the Arab culture and despising their own traditions. Children who are unaware of causing any harm are made willing accomplices in the dismantlement of their own cultural heritage.
With the media in the hands of an Islamizing government and the spread of Arabic madrasahs throughout the country, the pace and depth of Arab influence is growing fast. During the 1970’s, except for a few modern schools in MaleØ, most Divehi children were taught Quraìnic reading in the small traditional ‘maktabs.’ However, this situation changed in the 1980’s, when two heavily funded Arabic schools ‘Mawhad Dirasì at-ul-Islamiyya’ and ‘Madrasat-ul-Arabiyya-al-Islamiyya’ opened in MaleØ. These schools, teaching undiluted Islam, were instrumental in introducing the Arab veil among girls and in the crystallization of Arabic mores within the Maldive society.
Even the phonetic sounds of the Divehi language are changing. Local letters are abandoned and disappear. The indigenous sound ‘p’ has been replaced by the Arabic letter ‘f’ during the last couple of centuries; and the autochthonous retroflex ‘nö’ (nöaviyani) has been slowly vanishing to the point of having been deleted from the local written alphabet by Muhammad AmÄín in mid-20th century.
In contrast to this carelessness towards their own phonetics, young Maldivian students are very particular in their efforts to reproduce with fidelity Arabic phonetic sounds,139 alien to their own language, in order to win Quraìn-reading contests promoted by their government. This trend is to blame for the growing tendency towards the abandonment of retroflex sounds not existing in Arab phonetics. Those retroflex sounds ‘lø’ (Löaviyani), ‘dö’ (Döaviyani) and ‘tø’ (Taö viyani) and ‘nö’ (Nöaviyani) made by flapping the tongue against the palate are a characteristic feature of the Indic languages. However, they were the bane of some highly fastidious, Arabophillic local learned men who sought to replace the local Divehi Akuru with the Arabic script in the past.
After many unsuccessful attempts, the ‘Taìna’ alphabet now in use was devised as a compromise. This three-century-old although some present-day documents propagated by the government claim that it is older in order to fit it into their particular vision of history140 artificial alphabet is based mostly on the Arabic numerals and diacritical signs and, more importantly, is written from right to left like Arabic. The abandonment of the Divehi Akuru141 and the introduction of the Taìna form of writing was a decisive step towards a greater Arabization of Divehi culture. The new form of writing could easily accommodate words and even whole sentences in Arabic within texts in the local language. Therefore, in practice, the Taìna alphabet became a wedge for the further introduction of a foreign Semitic tongue into the written form of Divehi.
During the past five or six centuries, Maldive identity has steadily lost its color and vitality. Local dances, songs, festivals and ceremonies that were deemed un-Islamic have been weeded out and repressed with almost sadistic ruthlessness. Hence, most autochthonous ancestral cultural expressions have degenerated or have disappeared. Kite-flying and mutual water-splashing (fenô kuliø ), are among the popular festivals that were forbidden by the Maldive government during the latter half of the twentieth century .
Since the early 1980’s, during a government drive to promote Islam in the Atolls called ‘DÄínuge Heìlunterikanô’, Islamic preachers sailed from island to island, to scold the islanders with fiery speeches. Acting with the same zeal characteristic of the former Sayyids, these enforcers of religious ideology saw sin and depravation in the normal sexual dimorphism of dress and behavior and in the open expression of youthful joy by means of dances and songs, which are a vital part of any healthy society.
Devoid of popular entertainment, except for modern sports, island atmosphere has become extremely dull.142 Despite the introduction of consumerism and the relative economic buoyancy of the last two decades of the 20th century, things have not changed very much since C. Maloney reported in the mid-1970’s that:
This particular island appeared (...) as an enervating place, with almost no games, no music or scheduled events, except prayers, and few surprises (...). Only the changing of seasons, (the Muslim month of) Ramzaìn and the two Iïd (Muslim festivals) broke the passage of time. The KatÄíbu (government official) ruled in a tyrannical way (...). There is no crack in the shell of orthodoxy, at least in appearance. The majority of citizens of the Maldives pass their time on such islands as this, (...) scarcely touched at all by the civilisational vibrancy of the outer world.143
Since 1979 Arab preachers have been periodically invited to the Maldive Islands by the government and given VIP treatment. Conferences where those ‘holy men’ are the star figures are organized in the evenings during their stay. Government officials and schoolchildren from the capital are forced to go to listen to their religious speeches. These aggressive sermons in Arabic are not only broadcast live in the national radio, but their recordings are routinely aired during the following months.
However, an Egyptian friend of mine who knew well that type of person, Mahmoud Salama, told me that no one in Egypt would pay so much respect to those cheap preachers. According to him, they were totally unimaginative types, from a mediocre background who were basking in the exaggerated attention they were receiving. “These are backward characters. What good can the Maldivians learn from them?” another Egyptian friend, AmÄín ‘Pako’, one day commented. And yet, during the last twenty years, these Egyptian preachers have been let loose in the Maldives to indoctrinate the local people under special orders from the President’s office.
These brash preachers seize with glee their unearned high status in the Islands. Often they use to grow quite passionate and eloquent in their speeches about the torments of hell, probably provoked by the un-Islamic appearance of the crowds who are gathered in to listen to them. For the fact is that Maldives got most of its Islamic facade mosques with minarets, Moorish arches and veiled women only from the year 1981 onwards, when the petrodollars began pouring abundantly into the country. And there are many locals who have not adopted the Arab look.
Initially these Egyptian propagandists were not liked by Maldivians at all. They appeared rude and gross to them, terribly lacking in manners. The calm, monotonous voice of the Divehi translator contrasted sharply with the impassionate, hysterical screams and violent gesticulation of the Arab religious preacher. To make them more palatable, in later years, the indoctrinators were coached by government officials regarding how to behave in front of the Maldive public and they learned how to talk in a more culturally sensitive cool and regular tone. And yet, the crude content of their sermons remained the same. 144
Throughout Divehi history, Arabs were still viewed as foreigners by the average Maldivian. However, the last quarter of the twentieth century has seen a new phenomenon appear in the Island society’s horizon: The ‘Arab wannabe.’ These are Maldivians who leave the islands in their childhood and are sent to Arab countries or to Pakistan to receive Islamic training. Eventually, when they return to their country as adults, they behave exactly like the Arab Sayyids of old. These uprooted Arab impersonators put much effort into weeding out the last remnants of true Maldive national identity. Since the end of the 1970’s, many very high government posts in the Maldives are held by such ‘Arab wannabes’ and their number is increasing.
In the outer Atolls, the average attitude of these young, but religious-wise highly trained people is, at best, arrogant and insensitive. They are usually contemptuous towards the ‘aløuverinô’, or old religious males of the island, whose time-tested combination of folkwisdom and religion, is too unislamic for their taste. At the same time, their position as young persons and religious learned men simultaneously is still highly incongruous. Within the ancestral island society, there was a role for old religious men, but none for inexperienced youngsters happening to be well-versed in Arabic and religion.
Traditionally, one was supposed to acquire knowledge along with wisdom with age. Hence, young aløuverinô, or young learned men, simply didn’t exist. The result is that these brazen young ‘Arab wannabes’, full of Islamic zeal, put much effort into discrediting their elders, slandering them for not being orthodox enough. In this manner they have led people not to pay attention to the old local aløuverinô and have ended up destroying the traditional hierarchical system, in which old people had to be respected. This is paving the way for a break-up of the moral fabric of Divehi society.
It is a well-known fact that presently in Maldives, there is a secret hostility to excessive arabization, but it is leading nowhere. This ‘resistance’, if it even may be called so, is not only unorganized, but its goals are not defined and it has no visible leadership.145 Moreover, there seems to be nowhere else to go in the other direction, for the ancestral Divehi culture is effectively lost.
- 137 Decades before the murderous spree led by religious hard-liners in Algeria, and long before the opening of those schools in the Maldives, Algerian writers like Rachid Mimouni had already questioned the wisdom of mass-religious indoctrination. “What do they want? A country of muezzins? Or a country of pious unemployed people (chomeurs)?”
- 138 Paraphrasing Vivekananda, in those schools the first thing a Maldivian child is taught is that his father is a fool because he can’t understand the Quraìn as he doesn’t know Arabic, the second that his grandfather was a lunatic because he held on to many folk beliefs that were unislamic, the third that his mother is shameless because she doesn’t cover her hair, the fourth that his grandmother was a whore because her form of dress revealed too much of her body, the fifth that all the old Maldivian books and stories are lies, and the sixth that Divehi courtesy is rude because Maldive Islanders don’t go around saying all the time ‘Assalaìm alaykum’ as polite Arabs do (the traditional Divehi way being to ask: “Where are you going?”), etc. Vivekananda, a well-known Indian reformist, denounced British education in the schools of the Raj for giving Indians a false perspective of their own culture.
- 139 Letters: thaì, hâaì, khaì, dhaìl, Ïaìd, Íadì , Ìaì, Ña,ì Âyn, gôayn`and qaìf. These are foreign Semitic sounds that don’t come naturally to the Divehi people and are, thus, very difficult to pronounce for them. Even so, since they are positive that Arabic is the language of heaven, much effort is invested among Maldivians since childhood in order to achieve the correct pronunciation.
- 140 The claim that the Taìna script was devised in the 16th century is, however, not supported by historical documents. The oldest writing specimens in that alphabet, interspersed with Arabic, are from the 18th century. These are the Iïdu Miskit Dorosöi inscriptions, dated AH 1170 (AD 1757).
- 141 The traditional Maldivian writing whose most ancient manuscripts (in the form called ‘Eveìla’ by H.C.P. Bell) go as far back as the 7th century AD. The last manuscripts written in Divehi Akuru are from mid-19th century.
- 142 According to most islanders, the only excitement is to be found in secret illicit relationships.
- 143 C. Maloney, ‘People of the Maldive Islands.’
- 144 For example, this is how Maldivian women were coaxed to cover their hair: “Every single hair of a woman not covered by the veil will become a poisonous snake in hell.” From a speech by an Arab guest preacher in Divehi Raìjjege Adöu (Radio Maldives) translated from the Arabic into Divehi and broadcast during the month of Ramzanì in 1990.
- 145 Commenting on the power of the government and the power of Islam in turn-of-the-millennium Algeria, Mohammed Arkoun, director of the Institute of Arab-Islamic Studies at Paris-III University, writes: The nationalist vision insists on the continuity in time of the Arab-Islamic culture and, consequently, of the state. Thus, the social spirit dominating today is directly connected with the official thesis that refuses to make the indispensable room to the scientific analysis of facts and problems. Intellectuals who, like Mustafa Lacheraf, invest their efforts into the separation between the functions of the official ideology, which pretends to mobilize national construction, and the critical knowledge of the ingredients that have fashioned real Algerian society, are extremely rare. M. Arkoun, ‘Une SpiritualiteØ qui deØpasse la Religion d’EÚtat’ (GEO n 114).
Broken Rainbow
A girl walks along a narrow road. The sun beats down on her from above, as heat rays rise from ground. Her steps echo loudly along the narrow streets and the sounds of traffic and horns blaring can be heard in the distance. The road smells of petrol and concrete. On both sides there were buildings either too small to house those that lived within or ones so ambitiously large that they were never finished being built. There is a sudden rush of air through the road as a flock of roosting pigeons take off. The flurry of sound from their many beating wings gives her a jolt. She looks up to see the blur of wings disappear to reveal a cat walking along the gutter. It looks down at her and meows. She breathes a sigh of relief. As she keeps looking clouds roll over from above, casting the road into shadow.
Drops begin to fall, some of them hitting her eyes; making her squint and look away. The soft pitter-patter crescendos into a thundering roar that drowns out all the sounds of the city. She hurriedly ducks under the cover of a low balcony. The cat appears beside her. It meows and rubs against her leg. She bends down and ruffles its neck. As she scratches its ears the rain stops; just as suddenly as it started.
A girl walks along a narrow road. The sun beats down on her from above, as heat rays rise from ground. Her steps echo loudly along the narrow streets and the sounds of traffic and horns blaring can be heard in the distance. The road smells of petrol and concrete. On both sides there were buildings either too small to house those that lived within or ones so ambitiously large that they were never finished being built. There is a sudden rush of air through the road as a flock of roosting pigeons take off. The flurry of sound from their many beating wings gives her a jolt. She looks up to see the blur of wings disappear to reveal a cat walking along the gutter. It looks down at her and meows. She breathes a sigh of relief. As she keeps looking clouds roll over from above, casting the road into shadow.
Drops begin to fall, some of them hitting her eyes; making her squint and look away. The soft pitter-patter crescendos into a thundering roar that drowns out all the sounds of the city. She hurriedly ducks under the cover of a low balcony. The cat appears beside her. It meows and rubs against her leg. She bends down and ruffles its neck. As she scratches its ears the rain stops; just as suddenly as it started.
The sky looked brighter and more vivid. Slowly a rainbow begins to crystalize from within the mist. It arches over the alley, so that its centre hovered above her head, blocking out the sky. Colours swirl through, swirls pulsing and colours mixing. She stood there staring, mesmerized at the scene before her.
The rainbow began to move strangely. It began pulsing more violently, its sides shifting and flickering. It then began to bend downwards in the centre as if some heavy weight had been placed upon it. Slowly it began its liquid descent. Still she stood. It was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. It was as if a crack had opened up the cosmos and she was staring into heaven itself.
Then abruptly as if snapping because of the strain, the sides of the rainbow lifted themselves above the ground. The centre began to accelerate. It began rushing down straight towards her at incredible speed. The colours from its edges began to fly off violently, like raindrops on the wings of an airplane. All the while its pulses quickened and the colours mixed even more frantically until it became a blinding white arrow falling from above; barrelling straight towards her forehead. She was not afraid.
Just before it made impact it slowed down, barely an inch from her temple; then with the tenacity of a drop falling from a leaf and the ferocity of a cloud, it gently caressed her skin. It spread over her like mercury, enveloping every inch of her until she was covered in light. She extended her arms and took a look at her new glowing skin. It pulsed softly with the colours of wild flowers. For the first time in a very long while she smiled.
Her entire body quietly began to rise up, levitating towards the sky. She rose until she was high above the buildings. High enough to see around the entire island and the sea surrounding it. A hint of a cloud passes by and she couldn’t resist the urge to touch it. It broke up, swirled to form a leaping sailfish; which arced over her head and then dissipated as if sinking back into an invisible ocean. Delighted, she let out a giggle. Seeing some clouds in the distance she glided towards them. Effortlessly she soared, with finesse that would have made all but the most daring eagle jealous. She skimmed over the many clouds and when she brushed against them, many fish and dolphins came fourth, which followed her every move and rode the valleys of clouds at her side. The rush felt incredible. Everything was a blur of blue and white. This must be what it feels like to be truly free she thought. She was grinning now.
She came to a stop hovering over the centre of the island. She looked down at the city and its inhabitants, blissfully unaware of the spectacle above. They were going on with their daily lives as usual. Rows of cars and hordes of motorbikes swarmed the streets. People looked like scurrying ants. “I wonder if they know what it’s like to be free”; she thought to herself. For the first time since taking off she felt a stab of fear at her heart. Something was not right.
The horizon was darkening. Yet the sun still shone brightly above her. She squinted. In the distance, barely visible, a black tide was rising. It was gathering momentum and moving towards the island from all sides. It was not the ocean. It shined a deep dirty black that filled her with dread. She must warn them she thought. They were going about their business as if nothing was happening. They must be unaware. She must warm them. But alas, she could not move.
A strange force bound her in her lofty position. She tried as hard as she could but she could not break the invisible bonds. The tide rushed closer still. Her heart beat faster and faster until she felt like it would leap out of her throat. The black tsunami hit land. It spread like an oil slick, devouring the city below. It moved almost as if alive, parts of it leaping ahead to smother fleeing pedestrians and vehicles. Their screams felt like being encased within a coffin of needles.
From all sides it charged forwards until they met at the centre. Straining her neck she watched helplessly as it began to twist and spiral towards her. The vortex rose rapidly in a raging helix until it finally reached the soles of her feet. It spread over her, like a seething giant octopus, her screams doing nothing to stop its advance. It reached her neck and invaded her throat. All was dark. All was silent.
One Year On - Celebrate Moyameeha's life by reading some of his earliest works #FindMoyameehaa
A year has passed and Ahmed Rilwan AKA @moyameeha is still missing. Much has happened since in the Maldivian political spectrum, but absolutely no real progress seems to have been made on his whereabouts or the people behind his abduction. The Maldivian Police remains silent, and the government even more so.
A year has passed and Ahmed Rilwan AKA @moyameeha is still missing. Much has happened since in the Maldivian political spectrum, but absolutely no real progress seems to have been made on his whereabouts or the people behind his abduction. The Maldivian Police remains silent, and the government even more so.
There is a lot I could write about his disappearance. The failings of the system. The institutionalized apathy and hatred towards those deemed "laadheenee" that was used to justify and belittle his life and abduction. Why his activism, writing and experiences as an ex-radical could have been conceived in so many ways as threats towards the enemies of liberty. Why his abduction may have been intended as a message towards anyone who was under the false impression that there is freedom of expression in the Maldives.
But today I want to celebrate his life, his work. If these were the dark ages before the internet revolution this might have been impossible. His works may not have been that easily accessible. What remained may have been confiscated or otherwise made retrievable. Hidden as well as they have hidden the truth about his abduction.
But no. We live in a different age and the relics who seek to keep us in the past are doomed to stay there.
Moyameehaa is still alive. Legends never die.
These are some of the best of his earliest works. I hope to see much more from him in the future.
Thursday, August 11th 2005 - Moyameeha's blog goes live.
For a reference to how long ago that was, YouTube was founded on February 14th 2005. YouTube is only a 183 days older than Moyameeha's blog. Do you even remember what the internet was like before YouTube?
Tuesday, December 13th 2005 - Aqeeqah Rituals
“Yesterday,I captured a hen being sacrificed (with my handphone’s video camera)
..( its the ritual of naming a new born baby on the seventh day ..or ‘aqiqa’..in the early days of islam a goat or something like that is sacrificed....but the Maldivians who cannot afford or cannot find a goat in time ...always makes a sacrifice like this)...traditionaly this is a very big feast where people (relatives, friends,neighbours,poor people and others) are to be invited..but these days in Maldives (specially in Male’) we just perform the rituals and send the food in parcels (in Maldives its usually bondibaiy and kukulhumas-chicken.)packages to the people.(if u r in male’ just call +9607773240 to ‘faseyha point’ shakir to make arrangements for goats,bondibaiy packages with free delivery and all aqiqa stuff) This is very helpful coz every one is bz these days..but i think we cud still hold on to the traditional ways and sen parcels to people who cant come...
”
“And about this day being marked as the ‘Unity Day’.Its just another trick of the dictator gayom.He is trying to make the most of this ‘golden opportunity’...where every one goes hyper-emotional.He is trying to bring forward the nationalist propaganda..and picture himself as the leader...who will protect this ‘unity’..’which he describes is threatened by ‘some,very few people’..(reffering to the opposition MDP) or describes that as the unity ‘which have been among maldivians since the begining’...
but i wouldnt call..what we witnessed on the 26th of december 2004...national unity..or Islamic brotherly love or unity..no..its mere humanity..no one can wait and see humans suffering like that...no matter what country or what religion they belong to...Thats why the Maldivians watched live scenes of Iraq war,Srebrenica massacre (we donatedd for em..but the corrupt government swallowed all the money) and the recent hurricane katrina in America..we are concerned..because we are humane...”
“Aishath Sudha (a neighbour of mine-so;i heard the story without the free-press a that time, also) died at the very young age of 17 on 26 August 1994 in Gaamaadhoo jail. She was serving a 12 years and 6 months sentence for using and possessing drugs . She was allegedly gang-raped (by gayom’s NSS militia) and left to die by the prison guards. Gayoom formed a Committee to investigate her death,but to this date its findings have been unknown. Sudha was not the only young person whose death in jail was silenced and who was tortured there are countless people around the country (like my friend mahir).
I have heard of it so much.people so close to me have suffered this brutality..even NSS staffs are said to be murdered the Militia under commands from higher leader...i have had enough of this gayom thing..and his prisons (no better than Abu Ghraib and he is no better than pol pot,Hitler or Stalin..in torturing their own citizens).There are special ‘cells’ (ya prison cells..i would call em) for punishing young children..this place is called Islaahiyyaa (literary-in arabic- meaning a rehabilitation centre )..i will be posting detailed stuff about it later..”
Note: The kinboo was recently shot dead
Saturday, November 25th 2006 - 1984
“ive’ read it sometime back...and still i cant stop talking about it....1984 is a grrreat novel!...but not just a novel...its an allegorical political novel written by George Orwell (the author animal farm).its about a dictator and his brutal ways of ruling over a nation.and one man’s struggle for freedom.
mmhmm..an Orwellian society? Maldives cannot be considered as such a state or society yet?.buti think it was very close to it once, until one day things changed...but still the gayomic society resembles it (the orwellian society)...there cant be such an extreme society or dictator as in the book...but Gayom was very close to it.”
“But i cant agree....Haveeru cannot be ‘sometimes biased’ and ‘sometimes unbiased’ in reporting and presenting the news,it has to be on either side...there is no standing in the middle! ....there’s a lot of coloring in haveeru reports...and it does not allow viewers to comment freely (on its online version).which is now in beta...and i say;the whole company is in a state of ‘beethaa’ for the last few years....that is from the time they got out from the lines of miadhu and aafathis (which are not popular and publishes only the news approved from the president’s office ).Now in this beethaa state, i have encountered a lot of problems in commenting on its online edition.
One day i wanted to comment and ‘Oh my God!’ there is no ‘comment on this article’ link in this very special news.Yes,it was a news article about gayom...well i was not going to write anything like ‘golhaabo isthiufaa’ or any base or unethical comment.i was trying to comment on what i thought about the article,but it seems he is far above that...he is in a position where the citizens cannot even comment about him...well atleast for this haveeru beethaa, he is god-like and resting in sidhurathul munthahaa!.”
“So it is all about our economy?not really...it is about pumping money in from the west and pumping em out to the swiss accounts of big fat businessmen and big bad politicians.Alcohol is also banned for Maldivians but Legal for tourists...and yeah...also topless dancers.but i DOOO think maldivians have a right to enjoy freedom of religion.It was Gayom who took away this freedom,and i want him to give it back!He have tortured Maldivian Christian converts and anyone who goes against ‘Golhaa Islam’ for almost 3 decades.its time we talk about these rights and question the crazy fatawaas given by uttama and gayom.And it is time we start thinking freely about EVERYTHINHG.what do you think?does maldives need freedom of religion?Is it just, to force all maldivians to be muslims when they are all not willing to?do we need to go for a referendum in deciding this?or should all the maldivians be barred from the right to freedom of religion.....and these rights be ‘sold’ only to those who can pay enough money?”
“Gayom and his senior supporters all carried pistols when Gayyoom took his first oath as President on 11th of November 1978 and gayom himself have later admitted for this crime( mabodey vaan vegen karaa felhumuge thereygai). see this article in dhivehi (PDF)
HE BROKE THE LAW!
On 3rd June 2005 political parties was allowed in maldives and Gayom was the second to make a political party and became its founder and zaeemu.
Article 33 of the Maldives consitution says: “The President shall be the Head of State, Head of Government and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and the Police of the Maldives”
Party Rules from the Home Ministry says on 5, alifu, and 5, vaavu, Police and NSS people cannot become a member of any political party.
So how can Gayoom, who is head of both Police and NSS (according to the Constitution), form a political party and be its zaeemu?(oh...and how can MDP talk to a ghairu gaanoonee party like DRP?...that’s what they are.any way,any how..they want...’something’)
AGAIN HE BROKE THE LAW!”
“He was,and still is the favorite singer for thousands of Maldivians, especially among the older generations.We can see this by the fact that in TV programs like ‘Alhuganduge Hovun’ and Radio programs ‘Dhathuthuverinnaai eku’....in almost all of the programs there would be a request for a song from Dhohokko be’. Most of the time they will say “Any song by Dhohokko be’ will be o.k for me!”.His songs were mostly romantic and love poetry.They were known for the good poetry and his own,unique style of performing.Even if his music were copied from hindi songs; he made it all (as he have said) ‘dhohokkobized’.He had a certain standard of performing, for example; he would refuse to perform, if he is not happy with the percussion section.There are very few people who are fit to be in his ‘band’.And about poetry, he was very concerned about maintaining the standard of his lyrics.They all had a touch of (not just a touch...a whole lot of em!) Urdu language.
Even today he is a favorite for many Maldivians; young and old ,though some youngsters find his music humorous,disgusting,not-music,not amilla raagu,out dated,not understandable....etc!
whatever. here are the songs.In the memory of Dhohokko be’ and his songs that entertained thousands of Maldivians.May his soul rest peacefully.Amen!”
“For a long time these people have been ignored by the society,the government and also the media.Most people never cared about them, called them wahhaabees or haabees and made fun of (arguing with them is some kinda entertainmenty for most people) some of them who are always very much eager to preach their ‘message’.And the the government would every once in a while randomly arrest all ‘bearded’men and ‘face veiled’ women and sometimes torture them.The government found a useful enemy in them.Every now and then gayom would be preaching “some very few people among us do this and that in the name of islam...this is not like this. this is like that...dont worry i am here to protect and guide you”...but now we know this is more serious. more than what we thought.”
“as a kid when my mom dictates that and when i myself recite it after her voice...i used to think of a bright golden light, a palace which is illuminated with a golden light... and it have some thingy hung somewhere in the middle of it ... and this light comes from it...and spreads to the whole palace, illuminating it...and then through a small window ...it comes out and these needle-rays strike my chest (heart).....when the light touches me i can feel it.thats how it was to me, back then.thats what i felt about this thing.
”
“visited the place just when they discovered some corpses there .I heard that the research team will be leaving soon.that means the work will no be continued.Again after an year i went back to kaashidhoo and discovered that it was a play ground for children.they would go and pee in to the ancient well there.they would break parts of the historical remains of the temple(some kids even brought it to the house i was staying in).I was not shocked. because my house is not far from ali rasagefaanu Ziyaarai (in Male’) ,which was a junk heap until it was renovated and opened for tourists in October 2002.And he was mulim mujahid..... no wonder they wont give a damn about the remains of a Buddhist temple!!
There are several other Ziyaarais or shrines of Maldivian saints and heroes which have been neglected and even destroyed by the government.You all will know the area called Lonu ziyaarai kolhu, no more ziyaarai is there now.They even stopped Maldivian cultural festivals like Maaloodhu.My said that the giraavaru people practiced their traditional thaarajehun and vajidhuvun until it was banned by the government.
And then there is Dhivehi language.so many words used in different islands..are lost day after day...i dont think any effort is made to collect these words and document em(even jaa have done more than what they do by giving us the radheed free).and i thnak maldivesroyalfamily.com and maldivesculture.com for all the information ive got from them about my country,its culture and heritage”
“މިބަލާވެރިކަން! ، މިބަލާވެރިކަން!
މިބަލާވެރިކަން ނިމިދޭހެ ފިލާ؟
މިކަމުން މިންޖުވެ، އުޅެވޭހެ ހިލާ؟
މިކަމުން ދުވަހަކު، ނުވެވޭހެ ނަޖާ؟
ދާރުލް މި ފަނާ، ދާރުލް ހެ ބަލާ؟
ލެއްވީ މިއަޅާ ލިބުމަށްހެ ސަޒާ؟
ހޭތޮށަލި ދުޅައިން ނީދުނިޔެހިނގާ؟
ހޭމީ އެޖަހަންނަމު ތަ ބުނާ؟
ހޭނުލެވޭނެހެ މިކަމުން ނާމާން؟
ހޭނުވެވޭނެމި ހުރަގޭން މިނިވަން؟
ހޭނާރާނެ އިރެއް މިރެއަށް ކަޅުފޮއެ؟
ހޭމަންޒިލަކަށް ނުދެވޭނެ އަމާން؟
ބާރުންގަދަ ވީ ދަނޑިމާރުއަޅާ،
ވާށޭ މިނިވަން ވަގުތުން ހެވިލާ ،
ދާށޭ އަދުވީ މިދުނިޔެ އަޅާ!
އާނއޭ މިކަރަށް ދަންމަޅިމިމަހާ!”
“There were thousands of results but what is commonly associated with maldives is tourism, not terrorism.how ever yesterday’s news was covered by hundreds of news outlets around the globe.This struck me so much.It have been sometime since we started to talk about terror minded narrow minded groups of saudi and pakistan educated (some even trained at Islamic military camps) growing in maldives.But we just talked, we didnt do any thing. now they have stricken. is this the beginning?no, this cant be, but we’ve got work to do.Leave the political fights aside and lets concentrate on this serious issue at hand.we should be united, not divided by this.”
“It is the hypocrisy of Maldives government when it comes to religion ...that have created a breeding ground for jihadi islamic movements and islamic extremism in maldives.For example; we are told that we should follow Quran and Hadith...but we are lied about them.Lies which are so evident that even the kids will know some thing is wrong in those fatwas.Now when this happens children turns to islamic books or websites originating from saudi arabia or saudi funded groups, looking for answers.These will lay a foundation for the wahhabi islam.Now from this stage a person may develop in to anything...just a salafi,a follower of political islam (hizb-ut-tahrir/ikhwanul muslimeen?) or to a houri seeking jihadi muslim.I am not saying that it is their right to preach terrorism. but we cant define what the limits are ,as long as we try to strengthen the ‘islamic unity’ by force.Let it come by its own (if there is any such thing as an islamic unity) .
I think what we need to cultivate is not islamic unity and hatred for other religions.what we need is an free society, a free environment in which religious tolerance,humanism, and brotherhood would prosper.For this to happen we need social change as well as political change.To bring about this we need education,awareness,change of policies and a secular state or atleast a state with freedom of religion.A state which wouldn’t threaten to kill a person for choosing his or her own way of life or belief or for discussing a religious topic freely.Religion have to become more spiritual rather than being a ‘dividing-in-the-name-of-uniting’ force.Hate and violence would give nothing but hate and violence.The government should understand that these islamic groups too are maldivian citizens, faceveiled women and bearded men are our people..parents to our children...if you jail them beat them up just for what they believe or how they dress..it would be very unjust.I have known so far that .... two leaders of the dotcom group (the guys behind the bomb plot) have fled Maldives.This is what we need to concentrate on... bringing the violent and the terror breeding to justice and tackling the extremism problem ideologically.”
“Maldives’ sexual network...
Ali Didi is a business man in Male’.He owns two toy shops in Majeedhee magu.This guy who is in his 40’s lives in Male’ but travels to bangkok frequently, on ‘business trips’.On these business trips he spend few days after his work is done just to enjoy.And every night he have an invited guest to sleep with him (sometimes licensed sometime illegal road prostitutes).
Ali Di’s brother Ibrahim Didi have recently returned to Maldives after 3 Years working as a seaman (what we call boattudhathurukurun). He really enjoyed it there, especially the sex.At brothels, and even from young prostitutes who come on board when they are at certain ports.Ibrahim Di went to his Island and started a business there, now with Ali Di’s help he can stay home with family and work there (thank you Ali Di).
Ibrahim Di’s Eldest son Vishah works in a Tourist Resort near the Capital Male’, he is now visiting his island.Working in a tourist resort is fun for Vishah.Working in the water sports section; he often creates close relationships with visitors and some staff (foreign and local) too...and ofcourse have great sex. Now that he is in his Island, he needs locals to replace those friends.He have a ‘serious girl friend’ there. But he also found this lady in her 30’s - married to a 50 year old fisherman- very interesting. Vishah now contacts a friend and gives her the message. Well... the next day at dawn just as the fishermen left for work...Vishah goes in to that house...and all the doors were open .... Bang bang! (gud that this time he did not have to go through the window as he does at midnight when he goes in to rooms secretly..in the islands this is called meehunkairiahvanun, a very common thing).
Now, This fisherman husband of the lady... this pervert ...is interested in children.He is able to lure some kidsn his island.But when he is in Male’ he always hires drug addict underage girls...and Bang Bang!
and...one of them was aazimaa. She has a boy friend (jawish) who is also a drug addict.But recently she have broken up with him ...after she discovered that she is in a ‘serious’ relation ship with zaahiya a 13 year old in Ameeniya.And yeah when Jawish’s gang have little stuff in store, and cant afford more...sometimes they make ‘heroin solution’ with lime and any other stuff they like.This solution is mixed and heated on a table spoon and injected...all using the same needle.
Ali Di’s wife lives in a small 3 room apartment in Maafannu ,with her children. Zahiya is the youngest of them.Then there is Fathin (the bisexual, who was caught under a staircase in Ameeniya with nasreena - Jawish’s new Gf.) and the eldest Rashida.Rashida left to SriLanka for higher education 2 years back. She lives in a two room Apartment with 3 other girls in Lanka. She dont have a serious boy friend now, but some ‘friends with benefits’. One of them she met last month from a Disco (it was ‘dhivehi ecstasy’..and yeah...ecstasy and other party drugs were used there) organized by the Maldivian students there.His name is Malli...Malli is very special for Rashida, but she don’t want to go into a serious relationship...but ehhe..ofcourse... there is Bang Bang!day and night!
NOW , WHAT IF:
Monica with whom Vishah once had sex had HIV.... who and who are at risk? or for example..Malli was infected? or someone else.... How many of them take safety measures? ...i dunno... if vishah gets married to that ‘serious’ he had at the island. what will happen? ...and make more possibilities for yourself.”
“4 pedophiles (who gang raped a 12 year old after breaking in to her house breakin the window with an axe have been sentenced to 2 years banishment and 15 lashes. and our human rights (or is it prisoners’ rights) commision actually congratulated this . well... there was an improvement if you can call that; before this high court sentence (after an appeal)...it was even worse. then it was 8 months banishment only, for just ‘consensual sexual intercourse’!!!.... but congratulate?!! can we congratulate the rapists for just raping her and not murdering her afterwards?
and a lady who burned her 10 year old brother with a heated iron was sentenced to 6 months banishment.
These sentences are childabuse.
I believe that revealing the identity along with pictures of these rapists to the public is an important matter, and must be done so in the interest of the public. because we at least have a right to know rapists who are let loose, so that we may protect our children from them. And this is a responsibility of home ministry. but instead they even freaking helped them cover their faces from journalists, when taken in and out of justice building. but why is it? police often publicize pictures of people even before they have been sentenced, take for example the case of the sultan park terror attack and the recent vodka bust. how are these child molesters special?”
“Though this is not a very civilized thing to do it indeed is/was a part of Maldivian culture, i should say. this is what a classic zuvaabu would look like. i just wanted to share this...as this old (not so kool) custom of zuvaabu is uncommon nowadays. Parents would not send children to these zuvaabu scenes as it is usually an 18+ form of arguing, challenging and expressing anger, hatred, jealousy..or simply just mockery and angering the opponent. people say... that they even go to the extent when they would lift the kandiki (skirt) and hit on their private part and ..point at the opponent and say challengingly ; “mine is fairer than yours!”... as for guys they would also do same kinda thing by lifting their mundu (sarong) and hanging it on their head sometimes. It was earlier done in the form of raivaru poetry, which lead to the death of it as an art form...because it was used in this way...giving rise to a vulgar, abusive form of raivaru.
how uncivilized this may seem, it is far better than box cutter/sword attacks and home made bombs. maybe we could teach this to the whole world, so that it can replace war. then maldives could be the superpower maybe. ehehe. but ive seen similar zuvaabu in India though not this advanced. and here is an interesting zuvaabu from Muhammaa kalo’s ‘Bunyey bunyey’. i dont find him funny at all but i kinda liked that one; based on a real story from his island (ihavandhoo).”
“Gayom revoked Nasir’s ‘Kilege’ title and a stone in the Male’ international airport -which stated that airport was officially opened by Ibrahim Nasir- was thrown in to the sea, and was later replaced with something about Gayom reopening the airport. The prison where Gayom was allegedly tortured was destroyed and made in to the Biggest mosque in country and the center for brainwashing the people with the new version of Islam Gayom brought from Egypt. The hero of Maldives’ independence was pushed aside and on independence days we hear only the semi- mythical holy jihad tales from olden days . Gayom often make sure he does not to even mention Nasir’s name in his speeches.
No matter how jealous Gayom is with Nasir, or how much he hates him; history will have lot more good things to say about Nasir than about Gayom. Not that he did not do anything bad, but he is actually the father of modernization and development in Maldives, he laid the foundations of almost everything gayom failed to develop. Maybe that is why Zaeem hate him. Because he did everything Zaeem could have done (and take exaggerated credit along with titles and awards) if it wasn’t already done.
Now we are seeing the same kind of thing against Gayyoom. But still (being civilized maybe?) i think we are unable to top Gayyoom and his reformists in that. DO lava party is nothing compared to the auguraana, death threats..etc in those songs. Koto is nothing when compared to those cartoons. Demonstrations of that caliber have never been held against Gayom. But it is said that ‘history repeats itself’. Lets just hope it stops repeating from the point a new government is formed.Coz we don’t want another golhaa.
”
“its a lil late maybe. but i just wanted to congratulate all of us on this historical occasion of kicking out a brutal dictator who ruled over us -with extreme power, in which ever manner he wished- for 30 consecutive years. yup, i may have a problem with my short term memory and i maybe insane. but i still mean all that. father of democracy? oh puleeeez, he is the same gayoom. we maybe in ‘aneh dhivehi raajje’ but that does not change facts (is the world flat now? Duh), or is everything upside down in aneh Dhivehi raaje?).
I really liked and is happy for and am proud of the example of democracy, maldivian people and leaders have shown in this election. how Anni and Gayoom adressed the people and how Anni did not want revenge or how gayoom have been offered security and pension. I do like the fact that Gayoom decided to stay with us. i believe in goodness in humans. I dint know what to say after watching that on TVM. i never saw that coming.Gayoom accepting defeat and Anni not taking things personally, how the people united against gayoom, how the people used the power of the ballot to achieve this, how peacefully they did this...everything is amazing and i am very very happy to see this day turning out like this
..........But still the facts will remain as they are. A theif will never say he is a thief (especially when he is a very good liar). This is not a matter of Anni’s personal feelings towards Gayom. This has nothing to do with how humble he is. Do something else to prove that (try forgiving gayoom for your personal sufferings). Only the people can forgive Gayoom. This is just like Gayoom forgiving his brother in law and putting him back in the cabinet (and we forgot that too) or how he forgive dangerous criminals as afuaamu, to show that he is ‘ghafoor-ur-raheem’. How could he?, when those money belong to Maldivian people.
I may not be very religious, but i do knowhow these kinda stuff work with God.... God have forbidden forgiving of this sort for himself. Things God can not (by his own will) forgive include; taking away the rights of other people, or harming another person unjustly. So inorder to get in to paradise, these people should be forgiven by their victims. Or another deal is to transfer their good deeds to the victim’s account (if the sinner is out of credit, then he should transfer bad deeds from the victim’s account and suffer for those).naaeeees.
my point is; that it is a good thing...something we can be proud of..that Gayoom is still with us, that he is safe and is being given all his rights and all the credit he deserve (if nothing else, it could make him feel reallybad inside maybe.heehee.). But stuff he does not deserve (like saying he brought democracy to maldives) should not be given, and justice should be served. we’ve got a lot of cleaning up (the mess he made) to do and a lot of rebuilding to do, i understand. but we should never forget the facts and the truth.
once again i congratulate the people of maldives, the opposition leaders, Anni, and Gayom for being so civilised and showing that good example of democracy.this is a happy moment.a turning point.a new dawn.a beginning, not an end.
and to keep a record;
The Reformists: 54.21% (97,222 votes)
The Dictator: 45.79 (82,121 votes)
Invalid Votes: 1,861 (dumbasses!)
Eligible Voters: 209,294
Turn Out: 86.08%
note: i am still alive, i am just away from my blog and the blogosphere for many reasons. and btw, would dhohokko be peeping down from heaven, and saying ‘ah, there you go’....anywayz i dedicate this post to him.”
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In August during lockdown, I wrote a haiku in Dhivehi each day. It started off with simple Thaana text on black background, and slowly evolved to incorporate my photographs. It is nice to write haikus in Dhivehi as the structure lends itself nicely to counting the syllables.
The poems themselves seemed to take on a very self reflective nature, with common themes being the ocean, Maldivian life, and life in Male’ City.
I have included english translations for each of them. However do note that sometimes the meaning and syllable structure is lost somewhat in translation.
Originally posted on my instagram.