The Unpatriotic Son
I accept, without an inkling of shame, that I am not a patriot son of my nation. I will not defend it in the face of criticism and nor will I die defending it in the face of destruction. This land, this nation, this fatherland of mine stirs nothing of the patriotism I see in citizens of other nations towards their land. I am a product of a selfish nation - a nation that has forgotten to produce patriotic sons and daughters long, long ago.
Our history is riddled with mighty heroes that defended our way of life, our identity and our values - or so it reads. But never have I felt my spirit soar in a flood of feelings of nationalism and inspiration reading the chronicles and the legends of Boduthakurufaanu, Ali Rasgefaanu or any other so-called heroes of our nation. I have never felt the urge to pick up my pen, my weapon, and declare that I will do something patriotic in remembrance of my forefathers, who so theatrically it seems, sacrificed all, split islands and heads all the same, defending our nation from marauding armies of pirates.
Now I ask myself, what really happened to me? To us. Could it be that our way of life, our identity, culture and heritage was never under any real threat from the so-called Invading Portuguese? The Portuguese, the Dutch and many other great Western colonies had left their mark on the neighboring Sri Lanka and yet, their culture, heritages, way of life and traditions are still strong and intact today. What's more? The few Sri Lankans I know are truly patriotic - criticism of their nation boils their blood even while admitting to its failures.
I feel no such temperatures in my blood and I feel no desire to defend against criticism of my nation. I laugh with the critics admitting that the joke was on me. I was born and raised not to be patriotic, not to defend the country but to defend the religion and embrace the invading Islamic culture. I was raised not to believe the existence of criminal leaders, blood-thirsty kings and queens but to believe fantastic monster stories - the stories of perverted kings and murderous queens.
I was raised to believe that these leaders, kings and queens were great - above the nation. I was raised, in essence, not to believe in the nation so much as the individual - the king, the president. Instead I was raised to believe in fabrications. The invading Islamic culture wiped out my nation's history by destroying artifacts, texts and historic remains - leaving naught of my identity and only fabrications. And yet I was raised to believe it was in the name and defense of the faith - the faith that came before the nation.
This is what was taught to me. This is what WE were told to believe. Our forefathers brown-nosed their lives throughout history so that we will be the minions of the future forever in servitude of corrupt leaders. It is in our DNA - yes it has been so long as for it to be completely assimilated into our very flesh and bones. Now should the nation need it's patriots - sadly, there you won't find me.
Asma | September 27, 2006 6:04 AM | Reply
Try telling that to the people of Dhivehistan and you could be in trouble.
nass has set a site vainrooney to monitor and "bring down" missionary blogs.
Are you a missionary blog?
shafiu | September 27, 2006 6:41 AM | Reply
OMG,
I feel the same way about this country too :S
sad though, but i dont love my country
Fareesha | September 27, 2006 10:45 AM | Reply
I am under a lot of pressure from family and friends to wear the "hijab". What they give as reason I find very stupid. But I cannot say it in case I am branded as anti-islamic.I want people (other than my boyfriend) to see me as a person and not in a sexual context all the time.
subcorpus | September 27, 2006 11:33 AM | Reply
hello bro ...
too much coffee in the right tables ...
or less coffee in wrong tables ...
we may not find u there ... but we r bound to find u where ur presence is crucial ... we always have ... we always will ...
real good post ... seems like it came from deeper core than the normal posts ...
oh well ...
laterx ...
Faisal saeed | September 28, 2006 4:31 AM | Reply
well said. how can the citizens of a nation without an identity feel patriotic? we are a mix of all that is srilankan, indian, arbic, african etc but yet brought up to believe there is no nation greater than Maldives( 100% muslim. all speaking the same Dhivehi language. no caste systems. rich history)
Such sentiments are all too prevalent amongst those who have had enough awareness to dipsute what has been brainwashed into us. I love my country for its beauty, but not as a nation - definitely not in its present state.
am | September 29, 2006 11:14 AM | Reply
Radicalism, Extremism …. It’s spreading too much…. Maldives is controlled by corrupted politicians (Kings, Queens, Sultans & Presidents.) & religious leaders who I don’t think even understand what “Islam” is! Islam is not an extreme religion…
Mojo | October 5, 2006 12:41 AM | Reply
no one could penalize anyone for not having latent patriotism and i would echo many of your thoughts.But if in a time of dire need,when you can do something about a situation affecting your country (instead of the animated discussions over coffee)and you were to say, i find no reasonable reason to place any effort to help, i would say thats a problem.Its becuase the root of patriotism is not about love for your country or political motivation. Its not about how gung ho or pissed off you are abt your culture. Its about helping the fellow man and contributing for greater good for you and future generations.Its all about character and your responsibilty to your consciounce becuase you are capable.To protect whats important to you and to the ones you love.
rxs | October 9, 2006 6:46 PM | Reply
i love maldives.
its a sad sodding rotting place.. but i love it. its not necessary that everyone feel the same.. ofcourse not. The Maldives' past sucks, the present is pathetic.. the future, who knows, maybe underwater! but even if i were the last person to step off the country .. i'd still love it. for reasons i dont know.
Simon | October 9, 2006 7:17 PM | Reply
Then you are, my friend, a true patriot. Here's a * for you.
Simon | October 10, 2006 9:20 PM | Reply
I think this calls for another blog post, rxs.
rxs | October 10, 2006 9:50 PM | Reply
**c* the *
thanks
rxs | October 10, 2006 10:13 PM | Reply
i re-read this reflexion..
and i realised u didnt grow up thinking :o hihihi "This is what was taught to me. This is what WE were told to believe." these only led me to thinking u never thought about the country by yourself.. Strange knowing that u werent such a badly brought up child that too with a very free thinking mind.
when i come from abroad.. when i see maldives thru the aeroplane window.. the first and the only word that appear are not "VOW" but "home"
this feeling of unconditional belonging is something i cant explain