Random Reflexions

I don’t think we realize the seriousness and the possible consequences of the bomb attack on the tourists last month. Yes, as always there are some of us in a state of mild shock, some almost excited and some more or less just trying not to appear apathetic. But the majority of us are apathetic and we just do not realize or are not capable of comprehending how this act of terrorism could affect the future of this country.

Some commenters called it a cowardly act. Do they suppose that the people behind this attack should dress up in Rambo style garb and run around killing tourists all the while posing in classic action stances? Would that be less cowardly and more heroic? Why call it a cowardly act when it is quite obvious that those who carried out this atrocious act did it with the strongest conviction and intention. The intent was to kill and that intent is never cowardly. Their message is clear and it has reached all corners of the globe in a matter of hours. Whether they confess or throw themselves at the police or FBI (for that matter) is meaningless now.

Some have said they did foresee such an attack because of the rise in extremism. So? It is here now, isn’t it? Our worst nightmare is here, is it not?

So why are we still sitting on our asses and sipping our coffees and eating our boakibaa and gossiping and speculating who’s behind this attack? Given how we breeze away the days in our state of apathy and carefree attitude few would, for a few minutes actually, have been serious and scared. “Why, I’ve still got food on my table, so why worry?”, they’ll secretly think.

In my opinion there has never been a better time and reason to peacefully protest and voice our anger. There has been no other reason in our history to stand united, as patriots and show the world that we Maldivians are not going to take this arrival of terrorism lightly. We should march together, men and women, young and old, and remind ourselves that we will be vigilant and fight the rise of this horrible disease that is terrorism.

Oh hey, but it is just the first such attack, isn’t it, so we should perhaps wait and see if the bad boys come up with another and then act. That’s our fish brain thinking right there! Do we actually need casualties and body parts lying around? It could have been much more serious had the gas cylinder done its job. We were lucky it did not.

Our political parties must unite and march peacefully condemning this atrocious act instead of typing press releases that no one bothers to read! We must do more than just sit in the discomfort of our tiny living rooms and watch the government dish out free rides back home to those who suffered in the attack. We must do more than send flowers to those who got injured in the attacks. We must protest visibly, loudly and angrily and peacefully.

But, you know, that probably isn’t going to happen. Few may realize we have officially joined the list of countries that have suffered terror attacks, along with Bali, the UK and Spain etc. Like Bali we are very dependent on tourism. Although we have not suffered the loss of life there is a real fear that worse is yet to come. We might hold a peaceful march, sporting expensive banners and placards and all, against the attacks on the Palestinians, say, or we wouldn’t mind emptying our savings for the Bosnian Muslims even. But we are not going to lift a finger when our very own country and economy and postcard-worthy image is tarnished and our freedom and very livelihood maybe at risk by the introduction of modern day religious terrorism by our very own compatriots. Why??

Shouldn’t we let the world know that we might be a tiny country but we do have a loud voice and our morality and values intact and that we will be doing our share for the fight against terror, at least, in our own small way? Little bomb for a little country but big reaction, that sort of thing?

So a protest against terrorism? Nah, we just couldn't be arsed!