If behaviour, morality and actions of a person is a projection of the level of their religiosity, their commitment to religion and God, then I can say with some certainty that about 90% of those I know should be lined up and promptly reverted to Islam one by one.
Today Mr. Nazim, the ex-apostate, reverted to Islam after publicly apologising for his actions. I hope that he did so with sincerity and after truly finding peace in the religion he was once born into. Although some may speculate that a sane person would succumb to fear when he or she is such a hot target of hatred – i.e. the death threats and public call for his execution.
In my opinion Nazim, following his renouncing of Islam, was the loneliest Dhivehi citizen despite all the attention he was attracting. No other prisoner of conscience, former or present, Anni or anyone, would have had to go through the hellish mental agony of being so completely and utterly ostracized.
And all he did was shock everyone out of the “100% Muslim” illusion. It was a rude awakening for many – as if a secret code of ethics was broken that night – a code that creates the facade of piety over the duality of the average Muslim’s life. The sinning self and the pious exterior, so to speak.
I shall leave this dilemma to the “experts” such as Dr. Naik to explicate.
When I read that Dr. Naik was shocked that a Muslim renounced Islam at his lecture – apparently the first time this happened in his entire career – I knew it was only natural that he react that way.
Did Dr. Naik express disdain that a mob of fellow raging Muslim tried to attack (and possibly murder) Nazim after his announcement?
Not at all.
Sadly, today’s Muslims are expected to rage. They are expected to murder in the name of Islam. Dr. Naik does not expect anything less.
This has become true for us Dhivehin as well. A quick glance over on Facebook walls and comments on blog posts revealed there were calls to execute Nazim or revoke his citizenship. While everyone is entitled to their opinion, I was alarmed that my fellow compatriots could be so cocky and could think so terribly of another over a matter of faith and demand such harsh punishments.
Surely, we are better than this.
Now that Nazim has reverted and embraced Islam, we can all go back to living the “100% Muslim” illusion once again. In his statement given to media he publicly apologised for his actions that caused “agony for the Maldivian people”. I think it is only fair to say that we now owe him an apology for reacting the way we did.
Mirror mirror on the wall. I don’t understand what Simon is saying at all.
Have you seen Snow White recently?
:)
@gaanagaa
You are right. I hope I make some sense now.
@gaanagaa,
he’s just mentally disturbed and wailing pathetic knowing that the “atheist” moment has failed. couldn’t say it clearly so just rambling and losing sleep. can understand … buwaahahahaha!
@Kulhibe
I agree; rambling and loss of sleep it was.
But only because the new revolution has just begun. :)
ya right. dream on. if anything, this only made the Adhaalath stronger and in uniting the rest of us against you lot. but if it makes u any happier, sure, keep at it in your delusional vision of a secular Maldives. as i said … dream on.
by the way i heard your “champion for atheism” sent to rebuke Zakir Naik was trembling while asking his oh so pathetic question. and broke down crying (and asking for forgiveness) in less than 3 days when a couple of harsh words, and nothing else, were used. rather pathetic don’t ya think? With these sort of generals in your 3 man army how do you propose to fight us? Revolution indeed! More like revulsion. Haaa haa haa!
keep at it Simon. we all know who u are and your agenda.
this recent developments once again prove that we’re hypocrites. we cannot accept the reality and the truth and admit it. It is more important for us to say we’re 100% Muslim nation even if it isn’t so and we’re ready to kill anyone who says he/she isn’t Muslim. Well done Islamic Ministry and Zakir Naik for reaffirming that Islam is not a peaceful religion, most muslims are intolerant and they’re violent and inhuman and they want to force others into their religion.
yes, unfortunately we have failed one of us. And the violent mob won this time round. There was no one, no organisation, no association who were brave enough to come out and stand in support of Nazim, of his right to ask a question to a visiting “expert” who was supposedly here to clear our misconceptions on Islam. The people who are going on public sites and talk radio and calling for death and violence is able to express their freedom of expression with impunity. Apparently it is acceptable to call for death and violence but not to expose something that everyone knows its true but everyone is in denial. That this is NOT a 100% Muslim country and will never be. This shows that this country belongs to the mob, and there’s no protection to those who have another perspective in life.
u do have a choice u know Fali. Leave. its a freedom no one is denying you. buwahahahaha. here democracy (majority rules) and and that, unfortunately for you, is US. and let me in on a little secret. the majority of us are not your so called extremists, but just simple God fearing Maldivians who appreciate the Islamic lifestyle and values.
leave … and stop crying over spilled milk. the sooner the better. and good riddance too.
“This shows that this country belongs to the mob, and there’s no protection to those who have another perspective in life.” – your words are different (your view and i respect that) but i think you do get the gist of things in this country. its ours and we are here to stay … and there is democracy (weather u like it or not) here in the country.
Kulhibe.. “majority rules” seems to apply only at our own convenience… what about ‘majority rules’ when France wanted to ban the moonu burugaa or Swiss ban on minarets… why all the noise about that?
Oh no, no, when it comes to Muslims who are a minority, we have to have absolutely all the rights…
I wish somebody has asked Zakir Naik, why change in logic? the same way he asked Nazim, why change in logic on “if he tests all the food he eats with studying all the religions to find a one that suits him… ”
(I wish Nazim highlighted that he can choose to eat whatever food he wished, and he is not entitled to swallow down the throat what others want him to eat)
ya u do WISH a lot. and what? sorry, does not come true!
and by the way, do u live in France? or the USA? this is the Maldives and a population of 300,000 only and a country with a VERY different constitution. I WISH I can call you a moron, but I won’t :P
tell u what? make a wish if u can leave this country and go join your “anti-Islamist” cousins elsewhere. Now that would be a good wish. And I’d wish that came true too :)
hahaha… that’s all you got??
So you think you have a monopoly over Islam and over this country?
I am a Muslim, and very proud of it… but I also respect and accept someone who has other religious views.. it doesn’t reduce an inch of faith in my own belief…
The biggest threat to Islam is from people who claim to be Muslims and destroy the peace and good name it once used to have…
Its all very simple Simon, a non Muslim Maldivian is much much much more scarier than a murderer, rapist, child molester or gangster all put together. Because a non Muslim Maldivian is rejecting a reality that has been grilled into our psyches and breaking out of it. This will shatter a aclamatised mind numbed person to the core of his or her being. Its frikkin scary! So they deal with it the most convenient way which is eliminate the abnormaly, the non conformist, the black sheep. Problem solved. We can then go back to the familiar again.
wow!!! the coolest dude so far. the sarcasm stung! sure must be a library of knowledge.
first a muslim, then a human being. right kulhibe?
non muslims have no right to be on this earth with muslims like us.
for them there should not be a right to vote, to voice their thoughts or just be a person.
Maldives has really become a haven for extremists. this zero intolerance for non muslims is really pathetic.
yeah, yeah i know i should pack with A.A. and leave for France.
But then again, I’m proud to say I’m a muslim. but not the fundamentalist kind of brainswashed type.
check out the meaning of “fundamental” first. might help you understand the nonsense you are talking about. Not extremism, but fundamental. And ya, I’d welcome that idea of you lot packing and leaving. Hell, why pack? Just leave. LOL. You are not required to answer … but still, let me ask, and give it some thought before u open your big mouth in open at coffee tables. When was the last time you prayed 5 times a day? When was the last time you recited the Quran from time to time (and don’t come up with the bullshit that u’ve checked the translation from the Internet more than the next guy) … Do you even know what to say and how to attend a funeral prayer? Now does that give meaning to the word “fundamental Islam”, and not the type you claim to be of and rather proud of ;)
And @A.A : you say “I am a Muslim, and very proud of it… but I also respect and accept someone who has other religious views.. it doesn’t reduce an inch of faith in my own belief… ” sure … but I sure hope you don’t respect a Muslim letting go of his Islamic faith and committing “Shirk” or becoming a Murutadh! Learn my friend … before you open your mouth.
how do you ever know he was a Muslim? Being born to muslim parents doesnt make a Muslim… I dont know if he was NOT a Muslim.. but I dont know if he WAS a muslim either..
I dont think that qualifies as murthadhu..
before you start.. the muruthadhu I refer here to is myself and not to Nazim
ya, but I WAS talking about Nazim … and not you. I know him (and not as an anonymous internet avatar). I don’t know u, u are just another anonymous coward hoping Nazim was your ultimate pawn in the big game. sorry, but that died out way soon eh? sorry sorry!
Kulhibe, I have to agree.. I didnt quite get the murthadhu part until I read it later!
I dont have a reason to comment on my name, as if Male’ is already big enough to have any privacy at all!!
my big game? hahah.. I dont care of Nazim is a Muslim or not… None of my business!
awwww how sweeet. you have a crush on simon, and spending all your time on his website, commenting like gazillion times to get his attention. simon has a stalker. wish you all the best!! so sweeet.
oops you got in the middle A.A I was referring to kulhibe.
well why not ask your lover Simon to pause/stop the commenting system then. seems we have one who cannot tolerate dialogue against his believes. one who cannot take criticism. rather pathetic don’t you think? with you atheists, does it always have to be your way alone? oh well … i already know the answer to that. sorry i asked :P
and if u are not so blind u’d see that I did not comment back to Simon alone. but than I’m not surprised … atheism and the delusion of a secular Maldives does that to a few. and if u are the few who back Simon and his agenda well I guess I’ve nothing much (if any) to worry about. toodles :) A secular state indeed! Hahahahahaha
thanks for proving my point. byee
tsk tsk tsk u r a real piece of work ha! Why do u hate life so much? What did ur parents do to mess u up this much? And ur wife i bet she’s a bitch and she plays u like a puppet!
ya right , like you even understood what the article was even about. if you did you would refer to the actual content rather than use immature personal insults. you feel good about yourself now dont you. well done!!!
I am an aethist but after seeing Nazim’s video I have done extensive research on islam. I am extremely sorry to conclude that non of Simon’s articles make sense to me now. I also call Simon to do research on Islam and leave aethism. You are a good person born to a good family.
It’s ok. You don’t have to be that sorry. Maybe you’re in a happier place now, where many things need not make sense at all.
Simon, perhaps I should have a discussion with you on this – an academic discussion. I have a strong feeling that I can convince you to do a lot of things. If I can do that I can prevent you from a lot of bad things such as burning in hell, being discrete about your faith etc.
Mr. Mohamed Ashraf,
Why are you so concerned about me burning in hell? Come on man. All this sounds really very strange and sinister to me. I have closer friends, honest ones, life-long ones, none of them are buggered about my beliefs. I even have family. Who the heck are you??
And yes, I am all FOR an “academic discussion” of whatever it is that you want to discuss. If you want to have this discussion in person or via email, I’ve provided my email address above, so the ball is now in your court – respond and I will take it from there.
Simon, on a second thought I think you are way too arrogant to go for an academic discussion.
Until last week I used to be an agnostic. Both me and my wife. Actually Simon knows me really well and I was deluded into believing what he was preaching. And his anti-Islamist ideas. I used to mock any woman who wears the buruga or any man with a beard and trousers cut short.
I am very pleased Nazim finally found the error of his ways and found the correct path. I think I too have. I have asked my wife to think about this as well. She has not really decided yet … but she is learning from the different Islamic lectures available from the Internet and from people like Dr. Zakir Naik. I pray Simon finds the error of his ways before too late. Death will come. A day of judgment will be there. Repent before too late.
Some others with me claim they believe in the Quran just to make it through the community. Some amongst us quote from the Quran certain verses to create more disharmony and hate amongst the community. I mean how can WE use the Quran when we even do not believe in it? Now I know the truth – thankful for that. I wish some of the major disbelieving would soon. Some like Yameen, Hilath, Aniya, Simon, Suzan, and many more so lost and filled with hatred towards Islam they are killing themselves within. Yes, I know you all and your real story. More than once I have been with you at coffees. Sorry but time to change has come. I ask everyone to reconsider. Stop this nonsense and come to the correct path that has always been laid out to us so clearly.
Dear Naushad,
A friend brought my attention to this comment of yours. Congratulations for changing your mind and your will to embrace Islam. And god willing, your wife will see the light too and in due time embrace Islam. I just wanted to clear something with you.
This is the first time, anyone has ever called me a disbeliever and I feel insulted that someone has commented such a thing about my beliefs when I have never in my life preached nor embraced Athiesm or anyother religion… I have always been a muslim and always will be. Nobody can change my love for islam as I have never had doubts about my faith. People who have known me all my life knows this. I have never written anywhere on any blog, social networks etc anything against Islam. All I ever did was respect everyone, all religions and call for non-violence. I have tried my best to clear doubts with anyone who insults Islam by quoting verses from the Quran. I am not ashamed of my religion and no athiest, agnostic or christian can change what I believe. And this Nazim, I have known him as a friend for a long long time too, but we have never ever, discussed religion. Cos it never crossed my mind to ask what his religion was… it’s simple, cos I don’t think it’s my job to ask all my friends what their faith is because I respect everyone.
I wonder how or why you fit me into a ‘Major disbeliever?’ My love for my religion is evident to everyone who knows me. So, this comment of yours came as very shocking and as a total surprise to everyone including me! I think you are very confused about my belief’s and Naushad, with due respect, if you have ever been to a coffee with me or have crossed my path, please be honest to yourself and try to remember anything that I said against Islam… Cos god is my witness, I have never uttered anything unislamic or even preached anything unislamic in my life!
Naushad, embracing Islam by all means is the best thing you have done in your whole life. If so, please do follow islamic ways too and be careful when you write things about others, cos you might be, in your ignorance, insulting and defaming a fellow muslim. I am not lost Naushad… I have faith in me and I believe in Allah, if so how could I ever be lost?? Respect everyone and peace is all I preach… I blog too Naushad… if I wanted to preach athiesm, christianity etc… it would have been all there… but I have no problem with religion or other peoples religion. It’s not even an issue for me! I am commenting this all in good will and not to create any confusion and debate here. Just to clear things. God is with you, just open your heart to all the beautiful things that life and religion has to offer and keep your heart and mind clean of all negative thoughts.
I wish you and your wife all the best in your endeavor. If you still need to clear things about my faith, you would know where to get me. I am sorry that you feel this way, but hope I made things clear for you. Allah is all knowing. Allah knows best. Period.
Peace.
OK, stop this bullshit.
I mean if you and I know each other so very well why don’t you give me a call and personally convey the “error” of my way instead of “praying” for me?
Your story is a lie, you are fake and your claims are all lies as well.
Prove me wrong if you dare. Text me (or email simonshareef at gmail).
I agree with you Simon. Probably Naushad is a fake. But he is trying to bring you to the correct path – from atheism to Islam. That, I appreciate it very much.
Is that the way people are brought to the “correct path” of yours? By deceiving and lying?
What is wrong with you people? Honestly!
What we really want is you to repent and prevent you from burning in hell
Woah!
My name made it to the TOP of the list?
All the bullshit mentioned in your report apart, I’m still curious to know what happened last week that you suddenly found ‘religion’ ?
I think I would remember if I ‘preached’ atheism over a coffee with you and Susan (who I happen to have never even met)
Also, could you educate me a little more about this ‘hatred for Islam’ burning within me? It’ll be fascinating to discover.
Simon,
You get the best comments, hands down.
Next thing I know, my mom will be commenting here.
I know!
And here’s something else I noticed. They don’t seem to know even when they blaspheme outright. Read this statement:
“Some amongst us quote from the Quran certain verses to create more disharmony and hate amongst the community. “
Are there evil verses in the Quran??
@Mohamed Ashraf
You write:
“You are a good person born to a good family.”
Then you write:
“Simon, on a second thought I think you are way too arrogant to go for an academic discussion.”
I thank you for your time on this website.
Good bye.
need n answer desperetly from any 1!!! wat hapens to d soul or to d feelings or d energy in our brain ( non material stuf) in us wen we die???
n wen tree grow on our material body , u kno energy dat doesnt jst go off, it changes from state to state, so acordin to ma knowledge d non-material stuff in our body wont go off !!!! wat hapns to it???
my first visit to this website…am glad i did. i thoroughly enjoyed the comments…and your essays too.
kudos simon, you seem to have many avid followers…(have a suspicious feeling that many of them must be MoIA and Salaf) lol
the almighty Flying Spaghetti Monster would approve of this, i ll pray for ur soul at lunch. :D
I lol’d at Kulhibe’s comments.
Little does he realize, he is only adding fuel to a fire which I want to turn into an inferno. =]