Random Reflexions

Words have failed me. Words simply failed me. I've started writing and stopped innumerable times because emotions took over. Dhivehin have proven beyond any doubt that they are not what they seem to be. What a day. What a beautiful day.

Congratulations to Mohamed Nasheed "Anni", my champion of freedom, our hero and leader of the free people of Dhivehi Raaje.

Congratulations to Dr. Hassan Saeed, Buruma Gasim and Ibra without whose support we'd be in darker and vulgar times.

Congratulations to all those who worked day and night to spread the word of truth.

See, truth has prevailed today. And I am humbled by the unity and the strong will of Dhivehin. What a people we are! Dhivehin are truly Champions of Democracy and our message will echo throughout the world.

The revolution is here! Let us begin the process of rebuilding towards prosperity and peace.

October 29, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (15)

These are truly turbulent times. Something in the very core of this nation, in the guts of this country, is stirring. It feels like this nation is going through a metamorphosis much like a caterpillar would, squirming and wiggling in its last moments, as it awaits the inevitable beautiful butterfly to emerge and fly off free. Yes, we are going through such powerful, permanent and inspiring changes.

What kind of change?

It is important to understand that we are not just voting for a change of power or are merely changing the person in control at the helm of this country. No. The vote to change has little to do with a person but absolutely everything to do with the people, with Dhivehin. Let it be understood by everyone, by our compatriots, friends and family, that we are changing the very neurons in our brains, freeing them from the shackles of lies and deceit of Gayoom and liberating our conscience from three long decades of darkness.

Let us tell everyone that on the morning of 11th November we will be breathing fresh Dhivehi air the likes of which we used to breath before we plunged into the dark, constricting abyss 30 years ago. Let us emerge from the cocoon of depravity and tyranny and breath the fulfilling and deep breath of freedom. And with that deep breath let us promise, on that auspicious morning, to pick up the pieces of decades of broken promises, of shattered lives, and start the slow and rewarding process of making this beautiful country the property of Dhivehin again.

An insult to human intellect

It disturbs me that those who support the dictatorship of Gayoom resort to hiding behind the concept of democracy to justify their delusion. I am exercising my democratic right, they say. I'll have those of us who think along these lines know that it is one thing to ascribe to the great time-honored ideologies behind democracy and another thing to be ignorant fools. It is not just my democratic duty but my very nature as a human to stop you from insulting the supreme intellect of humanity and making a mockery out of the great institution of democracy itself.

It is an insult on the Dhivehin that suffered physical torture the likes of which we cannot possibly fathom. It is an insult to all Dhivehin that you can lie in your tiny room that you share with two other families and not see the irony of your own situation. It is an insult on the families of those who died under the bloodied hands of Gayoom that you can cheer on without blinking an eyelid. It is an insult to me and Dhivehin, my dear deluded compatriot, that you can call yourself a responsible member of Dhivehi society.

So it is my duty as citizen of this nation to be angry, sickened and appalled by the very sight of Gayoom and his supporters. How do you weight 30 years of deceit, corruption and lies of Gayoom against someone who has absolutely no such history is beyond my mental abilities.

Let us tell our undecided friends something today. Tell them that we live in one of the tiniest nations in the world. Our population is merely 300,000. In comparison Hitachi employs over 350,000, McDonalds over 440,000, Indian Railways limited over 1.2 million and the corporate giant Wal-mart has 2.1 million employees. Million! The entire population of Dhivehi Raaje is peanuts compared to the employee base of these giants. And we think we're so big and complicated a place to manage that it requires an old fool with 30 years of experience in oppression and corruption to do the job?

Gently pat them and tell them to wake up.

Thankfully, there is great consolation to be had in the fact that during the past four years Dhivehin have already changed. Humans are by nature seekers of goodness and security. It is in our nature not to approach a slithering serpent. It is in our nature to avert danger by learning from past experiences. This is why I tell you that it is an insult on human intellect to see Dhivehin wide-eyed and in awe of a sick and dangerous man. In broad daylight these people are approaching the serpent.

Disappointments

But what is truly mind boggling is that so-called educated and learned people like minister Nasheed can digest lies and clown around in front of the old fool like a little school boy trying to please his headmaster. Is he exercising his democratic right or being a complete asshole I wonder? It baffles me to think what he could possibly gain from outrightly insulting 60% of the electorate and insulting those who have suffered at the hands of Gayoom under his watch! Enlightened and educated people see the weight of mounting evidence such as the Auditor General's reports or just a glance at history and do what is morally right. But Mr. Nasheed et. al. are below basic human morality and integrity. How else do we explain this?

At some point in his blogging life, to avert accusations from another blogger that Hill and Knowlton was behind his blog, he pointed at one of my own blog posts in which I said that I was proud to have inspired many into blogging among them Mr. Nasheed. Is not it strange that given the opportunity to do so from a high post and status in public service Mr. Nasheed has now failed to conversely inspire me or other ordinary citizens and failed to demonstrate that he takes public interest and the interest of all Dhivehin seriously?

If anything I am appalled to be left in shock at the sudden transformation of who I thought was a brilliant and patriotic son of Dhivehi Raaje. But jealousy and envy towards his friends Dr. Saeed, Dr. Shaheed and Anni and Ibra is overpowering and has reduced this brilliant man to a state of a bickering and yelping lapdog of a senile wrinkly old man.

In any case I am insulted and disappointed today to have inspired such a foolish man and proud to have not being inspired by him. If I had been, I'd probably be seen drooling and clapping at DRP rallies as lie after preposterous lie is fabricated for the benefit of a murderous dictator and his family. But why have I always been on the side of truth? Why have I never once voted for Gayoom? Why has my family and every close friend of mine and tens of thousands of people stood for the truth and against this regime? Why have we simply had enough?

A cursory glance at the front line of a DRP rally will reveal two things: a band of semi-educated fools and thugs - cronies of a failed system. In a recently rally held in Kulhudhuffushi, what appeared to be a deranged Dhivehi woman screamed in support for Gayoom saying "We will never sell our vote to anyone else but Gayoom!". Truth has strange ways of showing its pretty face, does it not?

The fact is that this regime has inspired people to rebel and come out and fight for equal justice. The fact is the majority of Dhivehin want change. And the fact is that we are in the final stages of our metamorphosis into a people's Dhivehi Raaje and there is no stopping.

I am voting for change

And today I am voting you out and opting for change by voting for Mohamed Nasheed "Anni" - the arch nemesis of Gayoom, the champion of freedom and hero of all Dhivehin.

Let truth prevail and the voice of liberation be heard. Let the fight begin!

"None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 - 1842)

October 27, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (22)

Dear denizens of the Maldives blogosphere,

The chance for change to the political landscape of this country is upon us. More importantly, the chance to kick-start the process of economic, social and educational change and steer our future towards prosperity, security and betterment for all Dhivehin is right here. The chance to take control of our destiny out of the hands of a greedy and selfish few is finally here. It is time to inoculate our beloved Dhivehi Raaje against corruption, tyranny, torture, drugs and poverty. It is time to take back our nation. It is time for change.

So join this cyber campaign for change and send out a powerful message to the entire world and be part of history. Let us flood the front page of mvblogs with our message.

To join this cyber campaign simply create a new post titled

I am voting for change

And write the following in the entry body:

I am voting for change because I want a brighter and better future for all Dhivehin.

Or write your own words. It is up to you.

Thank you.

If you have any ideas to share please post a comment. Also please help spread the word via Facebook, Twitter etc.

October 26, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (15)

There is a far greater threat to Islam in this country than Christianity. It is more clandestine and it has spread its invisible wings and planted firmly its talons. It is a belief system just like Islam and Christianity and before we realize otherwise it will have forever changed our minds and hearts.

This clandestine force I am talking about is called Maumoonism and it has all the features and qualities found in religious belief.

Maumoonism requires blind faith in its founder and an utterly awesome amount of rejection of logic and reality. It thrives on fear and ignorance. Its tools of fear are punishment and retribution. It grows on the soil of intimidation and requires a leap of faith into great unknowns and mysteries - the authenticity of which must be accepted without question or proof by followers.

Belief in Maumoonism requires complete rejection of obvious, empirical, corroborated and documented truths and instead propagates the fallacy of understanding some unknown, absurdly twisted and mind-boggling form of supposedly "higher" truth. The more absurd and illogical is something, the "higher" the truth and the deeper it's meaning.

And it looks down upon people who cannot see this higher truth.

Maumoonism is averse to criticism and will actively discredit and eliminate all critics and their work. Its foundation is based on one thing: that its founder operates above the law and common-sense but he does all that for the good of everyone as he is supremely benevolent and merciful. It requires begging to the founder for short-term benefits and waiting to see if his holiness will comply. Sort of like prayer.

Maumoonism requires absolute submission, which is why we are constantly baffled that in the face of mounting evidence against the founder and his rhetoric there are unwavering and religious followers - a lot of whom are highly educated and otherwise sane people. It inculcates a false sense of higher purpose in followers.

In fact, Maumoonism behaves like any other religion and in that regard is fighting to stay in that special place in our hearts that we give to religion.

Therefore, those of us fighting for change are guilty of apostasy to Maumoonism. We are rejecting the popular faith and embracing logical truth and common-sense of apostasy. Yes, Maumoonism is competing with Islam and it can be as fanatical and extremist.

October 24, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (12)

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While the accusations fly from one presidential candidate to the other and from one party to the other over religious issues there is one thing that we must remember. And that is to keep our heads where they belong and think with our brains.

Tolerance

Ibra writes on his blog about the growing sense of xenophobia in the run-up to the runoff elections. I have huge problems with Ibra's view on this xenophobia issue and also his stance on freedom of religion.

In bringing in support for his argument that the constitutions calls for tolerance and respect for differences in others - among which I assume are differences of beliefs - he invokes Article 36c of the constitution.

It states:
Education shall strive to inculcate obedience to Islam, instil love for Islam, foster respect for human rights, and promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among ALL people. (emphasis added by me to reflect Ibra's quote)

This seems all jolly good. But hypothetically speaking, as the constitution exercises its authority over Dhivehi Raaje and Dhivehin only, and as the articles and clauses in the same document is subject to interpretation, one could argue that by stating "ALL people" in this context it is exclusively talking about just Dhivehin - not foreigners. In fact, a cursory reading of the above article would bring to mind just that. That is, one would not read the above and immediately see "ALL people" as encompassing the citizens of earth. After all, this is not a universal declaration and is not universally authoritative and applicable.

But let's leave that there.

When we talk about xenophobia and the fabrication of fear toward people of other beliefs there is one thing we must remember before we open our mouths to condemn such acts.

Article 9d states:
Despite the provisions of article (a) a non-Muslim may not become a citizen of the Maldives.

How can we talk about xenophobia and condemn the religious fear-mongering being carried on by Gayoom without first taking a critical look at the above article? It is clearly saying that despite what is being said in article (a) this constitution is intolerant towards people of other faiths and would not allow them to be citizens of Maldives solely based on their beliefs.

What we have here is the constitution creating the "others" - a class of people different in beliefs - by mere association. A class of people now afraid of losing their citizenship. By association, it is creating the paths and laying down the foundation for xenophobia. It is identifying the "non-Muslim" as not worthy of having citizenship of Dhivehi Raaje. It is establishing discrimination and drawing lines between "ALL people" of the same blood based on their faith alone.

Now tell me, how can we be tolerant when our constitution itself fails at that miserably?

Freedom of Religion

Ibra has said many times that those who want freedom of religion must fight for their right. I think Ibra forgets that in an Islamic society - especially one that is fast becoming ultra conservative in many ways - talking about freedom of religion itself may constitute apostasy. Does Ibra forget that the punishment for apostasy is death in Islamic law? It is true, that there is no capital punishment in our law. But in Islamic societies anyone can take it upon themselves as their duty to carry out God's law. The state might not carryout the death penalty but fanatical elements in society can be more than happy to do it for the greater good of the Umma.

Why was it I wonder, that when the bill for Article 9d was tabled not one member of the parliament opposed it even when the obvious absurdity and contradictions to other articles on the same constitution was staring them in their face? Social stigmatization, being ostracized, being demonized and called names, being threatened not just by the state but by almost everyone and being targeted by fanatics - these must have been the fears of even the liberals like Ibra at that very moment. I shudder to imagine the implications as an ordinary citizen.

Is this issue ever going to be brought to the debates in the parliament? I do not think so. Not for a very long time anyway. For, the above fear of social stigmatization alone will be the deterrent and the reason why no member will ever touch this issue.

The terrific fear programmed into the minds of Muslims from a very early age regarding apostasy and therefore resignation from the fold, is far greater and vastly more effective than any Gayoom can ever hope to match. The social implications and the tide of religious intolerance is far stronger and overpowering than any Anni or Ibra can ever fight against.

Now tell me, how can anyone begin to fight for their right to have freedom of religion here?

Notes:
It must be stated that followers of other religious faiths such as Christianity or even unbelievers have a far greater hope of having their rights respected and possibly even protected if Gayoom takes the office again. This is irony Maldivian style. But this I believe is true. For based on past speeches and actions by Gayoom and the recent apostasy case against him one can safely conclude that the fear and intolerant finger-pointing that is coming from Gayoom's camp towards MDP (and the coalition at large) is just a show to garner the support of religious apologetics. In reality, I believe those who want to protect their precious Islam (and the 100% Muslim illusion) must vote for Anni as hard-line religious groups seem to be now aligned to his party. Having said that, I'd never vote for Gayoom whatever the cause.

October 22, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (18)

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The role news media plays in the ongoing campaigning leading up to the runoff election is crucial. And while it is crucial, it must be noted that our journalists are far from prepared. They appear to be mind-bogglingly, utterly incompetent, completely unprepared and uninformed. And at some news conferences, especially those held by DRP, the journalists appear to be visibly scared. This results in them being easily side-tracked and mislead by the DRP generals of disinformation specialists.

Here is a typical scenario:

Incompetent and scared journalist (ISJ): Some people are saying that the DRP Zaeem has ordered a ban on ass-washing after taking dumps for all DRP members. What do you have to say to that?

Angry and frustrated DRP general (ADG): Toilet paper is sometimes made in Indonesia by some large factories, the details of which I don't have right now, but we are told that the plants bearing the paper flowers are not due to be in full bloom until 3021. Now, I know some people say that is simply not true. But that is because they haven't seen the underside of a dung-beetle close-up. They just want to take a "cheap shot" at something! We don't use any dung-beetles nor are we using any Indonesian masseurs!! This is outlined in our constitution which was passed sometime back. Next time ask some worthwhile questions!!!

ISJ: (shits in the pants)

Yes, I've almost lost all my front teeth due to excessive teeth-grinding as a result of watching these news conferences. What a bunch of fluffy bunnies we see as reporters. Someone please replace them with lions with teeth!

October 14, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (10)

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It is clear that a sizable majority of this country is still for sale for two time-tested commodities: money and religion.

Money

Over 40% of the population falls into the low income bracket. The election came at an unfortunate time for many of the families that fall into this category. By the end of Ramadan a large number of families would have used up much of their savings and would have been scraping the bottom of their proverbial piggy-banks. The election came at this crucially deprived time when, for many families, any kind of financial help would be a welcome breath of, albeit temporary, fresh air.

There was a lot of talk of cash handouts being issued days before the vote in many islands. This depravity of Dhivehin having to always beg or depend on temporary solutions to their life's problems was also the result of decades of exploitation of ordinary Dhivehin by those in power. Gayoom took this to new heights in the past 3 decades. Dhivehi mentality, especially of those living in other islands, is one of living for today and not worrying about tomorrow. It is this simple-minded ignorance combined with the other characteristics of the typical Dhivehin - subservience and submission to authority - that have made Dhivehin vulnerable.

It is altogether possible that an extremely large percent of the 40% that voted for Gayoom simply cannot imagine anyone else in power. Some middle-aged or older women I talked to do not find it objectionable that Gayoom is corrupt or that he stole people's money. "He didn't touch my money. It's in my wardrobe even now!", they say. They don't mind begging for medical or any other welfare. They simply don't mind whatever Gayoom does as long as he appears to protect something falsely perceived to be of supreme import.

Religion

The Islamic dogma does not provide well for the tolerance of other faiths. Muslims, by virtue of their doctrine, are paranoid of other religions. (One wonders how followers of God's most superior faith are so feeble-minded.) Over the decades all Gayoom had to do was recite a few unintelligible (to the common Dhivehin) traditions from the ahadith or verses from the Quran and we Dhivehin, drooling with delight, raised him to a divine status. How can someone who is so religious ever lie or deceive? It is impossible for such a person to become evil!, are some of the thoughts.

What Gayoom did was slowly convert the genuine Dhivehin in us into paranoid semi-Arabs. That's all. He then deliberately failed to make Dhivehin even moderately religious and failed to teach religion which, of course, augments this paranoia by way of ignorance. Then he programmed the ordinary Dhivehi brain, already muddled up with religious paranoia, the popular mantra of "iraadha kurevvun".

This "Allah willing" business has made us indolent and apathetic. Dhivehin are staunch believers of "minvaru kurevvi varu" or "minvarah eemaan vun" or whatever life of drudgery and poverty we endure we believe that's what Allah has ordained for us so we must accept it. What? The kids haven't had a meal for two days? Sit back, relax, something will come up. And up comes cash handouts from Allah's warrior sent to Dhivehi Raaje: Gayoom (alayhi salaam), who, incidentally, needs nothing in return but a tick on a piece of paper.

Just listen to what Gayoom said on that TV talk show! You and I might laugh at him for blaming Allah for his failures but I wouldn't be surprised that the majority of Dhivehin thought it to be an excellent, justified explanation. Apparently Allah wasn't on Gayoom's side during his 6 terms in power when he was trying to do all these good things for the pious Dhivehin. Allah didn't want Gayoom to succeed. But during each election time Allah worked with Gayoom to iraadha kurevaigen get him reelected. I don't know which one of the two has the more twisted sense of humor.

Do not be shocked. How else do you explain that? This is the case in almost all majority Muslim countries. Islam gives certain powerful tools that those in power can exploit and boy do they exploit them. Dictatorships and monarchies along with extreme poverty, backwardness and ignorance are popular with Muslim countries for a reason. Gayoom exploited this loophole to new heights.

Today

We Dhivehin have always needed a father figure to look after us and give us tiny rationed handouts in time of great need. We're used to that. And times of great need are plentiful because that's the work of our beloved leader as well. And for that to change it will take time. Perhaps another 30 years.

October 11, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (15)

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As the result so far show it appears that the vast majority of Dhivehin want a change. This in itself is a superb victory and has sent a powerful message to Gayoom and his band of the criminally insane. After 30 years of enjoying 80 to 95 percent choice votes from the entire country, the old man and minions are at just a paltry 40%.

The vote for change has worked and although I am still skeptical and still cautious I cannot help feel a tingle of happiness. Why the optimism? First and foremost because Dhivehin have proven to be much more steadfast and desperate in their quest to see change. And this is what is seen in the vote counts.

Let's join forces and unite in kicking this old habit of ours that is Gayoom. Let us completely transform our thinking and remove the traces of Gayoom from our hearts.

I can almost feel the winds of freedom from this oppressive and corrupt regime coming to an end today. I can feel it when I close my eyes. Let us unite now and show solidarity in our collective desire to see change. Let us say enough is enough in the next round.

We are almost there...

October 9, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (17)

Good morning, my dear bloggers and compatriots of Dhivehi Raaje. Today maybe an ordinary day on any calendar but it is a momentous day in the history of our country. We are about to vote in the first ever Multi-candidate election in history.

Let today be a day we not only open a new chapter but an entirely new new book to write history and forever change the course of this country and salvage it from the depths of corruption and oppression. Today, when you vote, vote for change. No matter what, change is a good thing. If change is not good now then it is change itself that can make good too.

And change here means voting out Gayoom from power. Nothing more, nothing less. That is the absolute change we need. Don't be fooled into thinking that no other candidate is as astute, as smart-looking, as educated as Gayoom and therefore you will vote invalid or vote for Gayoom to usher in a period of smooth transition of power. Do not delude yourself into thinking that Gayoom is reformed. One can change a child's thinking and see realistic change but one cannot change a 70 something old man and expect anything but the same old quack.

What's more, Gayoom and his gang have over the past 3 decades gone too far down the rabbit-hole of fraud and depravity for them to ever find their way out. Let us close-up that hole with the occupants inside today, right here, right now.

I cannot remember a time without Gayoom in power and now I have my own kids. My son is now 5 and it was exactly 30 years ago when I was 5 that Gayoom came to power. From when I was just 5 until today Gayoom has orchestrated and put in a system of corruption and fraudulent dealings and slowly robbed and leeched from our Dhivehi Raaje. How old was I when millions were stolen from FPID? I do not know. How many more millions would have been stolen in wheelings and dealings when I was just 10? I cannot fathom.

I want my children to read about the 30 year regime of Gayoom in history books. I certainly do not want them to hold real, tangible memories of this depressing era or any era with Gayoom still in power. That would be a shame on me. I want my children to see a new, better future here in Dhivehi Raaje.

Today, I am giving a special gift to my children. The gift of change. And although they do not understand any of this I know that one day they will grow up to read about the historical day that is today. And I do not want to hear them reading or talking about how Dhivehin fooled and deluded themselves and re-elected Gayoom and squandered the the country's future and paid for it dearly in the years that followed.

I would be absolutely ashamed to face that.

I will think before I vote, yes, but I will definitely vote for change. Let us take back Dhivehi Raaje - this beautiful country that is rightfully ours.

October 8, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (12)

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Specialists in various fields from pest controllers to marketing strategists, from politicians to suicide bombers use various tactics to achieve maximum impact. Among the tactics the foremost would be timing. The perfect timing to apply pesticides, the perfect time to launch the marketing campaign and the perfect timing to detonate the bomb.

As such there is no doubt that the Auditor General's (AG) report could not have been more accurately timed to inflict maximum damage on the incumbent president and his party. For many, me among them, the report was like the sweet treat at the end of a long and confusing and bitter run-up to the elections. Ah, the joy!

But I must say, the first thing I noticed when I opened up the reports and skimmed the pages was the lack of tabular data. I was expecting to see numbers sprawled across vast tables.

The lack of these tables and the limited number of issues that the AG's report touched upon is a curiosity in its own right. Don't get me wrong, I have no doubt what is said on the report is true. It is just that I like tables with figures. One reason being my rusty Dhivehi reading skills.

The other reason is far more interesting. It would appear that the AG's report is just the tip of the iceberg. The deals with top level security forces people, the rent paid to one state minister, the money paid for Hill & Knowlton and the few other issues touched upon, including the expenses on official trips to Atolls, is just a selection of a few issues handpicked by the AG to inflict maximum damage. In other words, this is just a preview of things to come. Well, I hope that is the case anyway.

It is difficult to accept that these are the only misappropriations of the people's money from the president office and STO. The real amounts must be unimaginably higher and the acts of corruption unbelievable. And where are the names of those other people involved?

All this says one thing to me. That although the AG's office is not mandated to any specific day and time to release reports, the timing of these particular reports and the way they have been structured leads me to believe that it was intentionally done to achieve full-blast power. And no matter what Gayoom or Azima or anyone else says there is no way that what the AG has pointed out could be his own fabrication. In fact, should Gayoom take the AG to court I have no doubt that even dirtier secrets will start crawling out of the labyrinth that he has built over the 30 years in absolute power.

Thank you, Mr. Auditor General! You're a master pest-controller.

October 8, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (6)

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I think it is the duty of every Maldivian to read or be read the Auditor General's reports on the President's Office and State Trading Organisation.

Here is the final word and proof of what we have heard so far as rumors on the grapevine regarding the misappropriation of government funds by the incumbent president Gayoom. It sickens me how Gayoom and his gangs have robbed this country just in the past few years alone. Now multiply that for the past 3 decades!

Read the reports and think about what is said there. The vast sums of money, public's money, spent on special individuals and projects that have had no real benefit to the nation and the people are all in that report.

People, wake up. If you are voting for Gayoom, please read these reports. I know some of my friends are voting for him because they fear that anyone else might be worse than Gayoom in their 5 years in office. Today, with these reports, Maldives has proven that it is truly on the road and on track towards a real democracy. Think about it! Even if your average Ahmed Carpenter became the president these independent institutions, like the Auditor General's Office will monitor his actions and will report to the parliament and the public.

October 7, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (18)

Tonight live on DhiTV was what appeared to me as an utterly shameless display of depravity and lack of integrity from the party of the so-called father of progress of this country. The awesomeness of the perversion of human decency would have traveled the seas and penetrated the coffins of Stalin and Mao Zedong and put a wry smile on their wasted skulls.

I doubt the DRP rally at the artificial beach will be the last card in their hand of dirty tricks. Speaking of hands why is there always a ghostly hand mysteriously emerging from the DRP podium? Is that the hand that has robbed the people of this country for the past 30 years? Is that the hand that has tortured and killed so many in those decades?

I find it hard to describe what I feel when I watch DRP rallies. Disgust is definitely one of them. Then tonight I saw Mohamed Nasheed, the information minister speaking, praising Gayoom for some 15 minutes and my jaw dropped and 'disgust' wouldn't have the potency to be useful to describe how I felt. Here was a man who I thought was the one person serving the current administration that had any integrity and self-respect still intact talking as if some mad scientist had done a brain surgery and turned him into a talking zombie.

What the fuck happened to you, Nasheed?, I wanted to ask. At which point down the line did he sell his soul, I wanted to know. When did the delusion take over? And then the icing on the cake came when Gayoom took the podium and started praising Nasheed and the camera panned to show Nasheed looking down and shyly toeing something on the ground like a timid little boy who had just done a good job in show-n-tell at kiddie-school.

Where is that tough talking man of solid integrity and principles today, Nasheed?

Perhaps, I am taking all this too seriously. What has me disappointed isn't so much that Nasheed joined the 'dark-side' for good. I have this absolutely concrete, cast-iron concept of why I must NEVER vote for Gayoom. I have this absolutely rock-solid notion of why we need change. It is a fundamental thought permanently established in my brain. And every time I see my compatriots extolling the one person who has deprived us of so much over the decades it simultaneously breaks my heart and I lose faith in my country. Perhaps I am the one suffering from the delusion, I wonder. Are people like Nasheed the example of the typical Maldivian?

Perhaps, everything that is happening today, the election, the new constitution, the reforms, perhaps this is all a joke for a lot of us. Maybe some of us have forgotten why we are here at this point in time, where we are and doing what we are doing today.

Today I'm seeing the depravity and the shallowness of those who are still parroting for Gayoom even after all the sacrifices made by people like Anni to make it possible to arrive at this exact point in time. Voting for Gayoom goes against every fiber, molecule and atom in my mind and body. It baffles me how so many ordinary Dhivehin don't see it that way.

For me, supporting DRP is an outright insult on human intelligence!

October 6, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (11)

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The presidency horse-race will conclude in a few days time. It is the final lap and everything and anything - lock, stock, barrel and the kitchen sink - are being thrown at the race to win the hearts of the electorate. Hearts, not minds. Therein lies a stark distinction. At least, for me.

Politics of the sort you get during the run up to the ballot is laden with grandiose promises, double-speak and castles in the sky. This is the norm everywhere. Most candidates talk as if in their short 5-year term in office they will build something akin to the Roman Empire. Five years is a blink of an eye for a country to bounce back or to be transformed into that "other Maldives" even if we handover the country to Julius Caesar himself.

My eldest son is now 5 years old. As chance would sometimes have it he was born with all fundamental faculties for survival intact and functioning. There have been several highlights during this short period of time but most significant among them are just 2 incredibly simple milestones: reading and writing. It is these two milestones that have opened up the entire world's knowledge to him. And it is this world of knowledge that has transformed him into a bright, promising little boy.

With those two milestones, we as his parents, have provided for him the fundamentally necessary tools by which he would one day examine, tackle, build and make decisions about the world and his life as a grown man.

I do not mean to imply that I had, at any point, expected him to be a fully grown man in 5 years time. But that is exactly where I am getting at. When we, as it is widely hoped, give the reigns of this country to a brand-new president, we are essentially handing over a country still running about, soaked and stinking, in its last change of diapers from 30 years ago. A country still in its infancy even in old age. A challenge for any parent. A colossal task for any president.

But with our heads full of promises and dreams it is easy to cloud our judgment. In the next 5 years we should essentially start teaching the country to stand up on its own feet. We should aim to take baby steps. We should know that despite outlandish and elaborate promises not everyone is going to have a home, there is not going to be any administrative centres in the atolls, there is not going to be a bridge from Maale to anywhere, there is not going to be full transparency of government and so on and on. The next 5 years is just not long enough.

So the best I would hope for is to achieve few small but significantly important milestones within the next 5 years that will lay the foundation upon which future leaders can then construct the next step. Our future in the long run depends on making educated and well thought-out decisions regarding what we can and cannot do now.

After all, we have 30 years of rubbish to clear before we can get to the baby.

October 4, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (3)

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I believe the acquittal of president Gayoom on the charge of apostasy was an important milestone in the process of providing fair and inalienable rights to all Dhivehin and implementation of the rule of law in this country.

The public was of the opinion, and rightly so too, that this was nothing but a rancid mixing of religion and politics concocted by Adaalath party to oust Gayoom before the election. Yes, that was their intent and everyone was half expecting (but had great doubt) a court ruling making Gayoom ineligible to stand for candidacy.

Let us imagine for a minute that the judges found Gayoom guilty of apostasy. What would we then be talking about today? Would we move on to declare Gayoom and his immediate family stateless under clause "Raa" of article 9 of the constitution?

You see, we Maldivians don't really think that much further than the immediate consequence of our actions. And it is strange that the charge is popularly referred to as Gayoom being not a Sunni Muslim and not as apostasy or 'irtidad'. What other type of Muslim is he then? As far as I know the charges brought against him puts him squarely on the seat of apostasy and nothing else.

The sheer absurdity of the case aside, this was an important one for many other reasons. One of which is that the verdict reached by the judges will hopefully be considered a pivotal decision and used as a benchmark based on which future such cases can be tried. It has provided the first glimpse of how the constitution can be interpreted by the supreme court. Surely future apostasy cases, should there be any (and there is no reason to doubt otherwise), must consider the case of Adaalath vs. Gayoom of 2008.

Yes, this case is, in my opinion, a victory for the liberal voices of this country. It should give some light of hope for all Dhivehin regardless of whether they hold other religious beliefs or not. As for me, this just goes to prove how terribly absurd are some clauses of the constitution.

I admit Gayoom's far-reaching arms of influence were probably instrumental in winning him the case. But I still believe we should respect the verdict and that it should be marked in history as one of the most damaging losses for fundamentalist religious factions in the country.

Yes, in failing to win the case, Adaalath has stabbed the stake they were sharpening to put through Gayoom's chest into their own.

October 3, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (3)

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Our incumbent president, Gayoom, will go into history books with many records and firsts to his name. The most recent of these would be the court case accusing him of apostasy. The outcome, if in favor of the prosecution, would make Gayoom ineligible to run for the country's top job and also make him stateless. Either way he is the first Maldivian to be tried under the new constitution for apostasy.

This case is something of a worry to many Maldivians. It is the first time someone is tried for his or her beliefs. A belief: something very private and personal and by definition something that cannot be measured or quantified. I doubt anyone can realistically prove what are his or her beliefs by producing regular evidence except perhaps a lie detector test.

The architects of this country's constitution have stepped on their own balls by devising several clauses and articles that depend on the religious "belief" of an individual. It's going to hurt a lot of people because what's stopping anyone accusing anyone else for their beliefs with this kind of shortsightedness enshrined into our law? With fanatical and fundamentalist Islam on the rise and its preachers, mullahs, sheiks and whatnot multiplying like a virulent strain by the day, everyone, including the so-called moderate Muslims, should be very, very afraid.

I've written in an earlier post, warning about the consequences of certain clauses in the new constitution and its dangers for all Maldivians, not just for those with differing beliefs but also for the devout Muslims. Today that article and what was implied has been realized - and it has surprised me how soon it started.

Several of these loopholes exist in the constitution. Wherever religious belief is written down as one of the qualifying conditions that article or clause is dwelling in obscurity and vagueness.

It was not long ago that we thought Gayoom was a learned and pious Muslim. Heck, even learned sheiks like Faroog, who is said to be among the signatories of the petition in the apostasy case, sat in Gayoom's audience listening to his religion-stained speeches for many, many years. Did Faroog get an unscheduled revelation from God himself all of a sudden? Today, Gayoom is on trial for apostasy, a victim of the very constitution he himself signed and ratified not long ago. Let us see what happens today at the court.

Meanwhile, what about that lie detector? Yes, I can visualize the headlines. Mark my words, that day will come too.

Update: As expected the supreme court did not find the charge of apostasy against Gayoom convincing enough to declare him a non-Muslim. This case will be pivotal as it will become a benchmark by which future such cases will be tried and instrumental in how the constitution is interpreted. Though it must be noted that not everyone else is as powerful as Gayoom.

October 2, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (8)

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Ah finally it's over. The month of Ramadan was anything but what it is normally claimed. Yes, people in hoards filled the mosques but in a month when devout Maldivians refrain from food and water during the day there was bound to be some really disgusting side-effects. As it happens, irony is part and parcel of the Maldivian way of life.

Among them was the noticeable increase in the amount of thick, dehydrated saliva and phlegm spat on the road. This was so rampant and so commonplace that few noticed the constant raucous throat-clearing, subsequent collecting of phlegm at the tip of the tongue and eventual "pftoot" when the gross projectile is ejected from the mouth to land with a "chis" on the targeted pedestrian walk or road. This was done everywhere. In mosques, outside grocery shops, sometimes thrown out of ferry windows, car windows, room windows and from motorcycles.

Oh the disgust! I became so aware of these little blobs of yellow-green goo on the road that I actually started walking with my head lowered to the ground constantly scanning and on the alert for the impending gross-outs.

I think a lot of us are still of the impression that one must not even swallow his own spit as God is vigilantly analyzing every molecule passing through the esophagus ready to call the foul. Yes, such stupidity is still alive and well.

The other thing, and this was equally disgusting, was the amount of rotting, maggot infested rubbish in plastic bags casually left on roadsides by, who I have no doubt are, lethargic and tired, fasting Maldivians too lazy to take their own lavish excesses of breakfast foods to the garbage dump.

Indeed, such a spiritually purifying month it was that we couldn't care less about hygiene and the common decency and manners in public. So, yes, I am happily looking forward to the days of roads clear of rotting food and gooey phlegm, better manners and, more important, energised Maldivians now that the month is behind us.

I hope that in the coming months, as the country's political landscape transforms we too go through a personal transformation towards civility.

October 1, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (7)