Lost customs of Maldivians. (Part One)

Ibn Batuta 

As like in any society, people in the Maldives have their own social customs, traditions and cultures, however, in time some of these customs got lost, perhaps in the hurdle of modernity. With the tourism boost in the 70's, came the influence of the western society. Some positive and some negative. 

I would like to talk about some of the old Maldivian cultures, that we do not follow anymore, forgotten or those that we may have known very little about. Of course these are very interesting traditions our forefathers practiced. 

I ll begin with Tangier traveler and Maldivian Chief Justice Abu-Abdullah Mohammed, the famous Ibn Batuta (1304-78). He writes:

"'The inhabitants of the Maldives Islands are honest and pious people, sincere in good faith and of a strong will; they eat only what is lawful, and their prayers are granted. When one of them meets another, he says God is my lord: Muhammad is my prophet: I am a poor ignorant being."

Check out Mysha Didi on YouTube !!!

So lately I have been YouTubing, you know checking out the latest music and stuff. ( Cough ... Mostly friends; Shuhana, Fazy and Sum sends me the links, and I just play them :P ). Anyway one YouTube Channel I came across was Dhivehi's Channel. Now this channel belongs to a certain Mysah Didi, yes a Maldivian, who I must say is not only this lovely High School gal but also this gal with an amazing voice. She's got four cover songs on her channel so far with the first upload some 2 months back, by now she's got some 354 subscribers and over 150,000 + video views, not bad eh?

Indian Ocean Tsunami: Seven Years, Yet memories fresh ...

A tribute to the victims of Indian Ocean Tsunami 

26th December 2004

Seven years ago it happened, 26th of December never it be forgotten, Seas rose and waves crashed, on the People of the Sea.

Fifty-seven Islands, infrastructure damaged. Fourteen Islands, totally evacuated. Twenty one resorts, forced to close.

$400 Million, estimated damage and loss. Hundred and Eight people, reported dead.

The tsunami that came, left with the pain. Memories fresh, dwell in our hearts.   

*the statistics are Maldivian 

YusufIslam - CatSteven 

Indian Ocean
(Indian Ocean is a song recorded by Yusuf Islam formerly Cat Stevens in aid of the countless children orphaned in tsunami-hit Indonesia.)

Uphold the Constitution and Remain a Sovereign Islamic Nation !!

Constitution of the Republic of Maldives.
(Famous capture of the cover, not sure of the photographer)

With laws made to safeguard Islam as a religion in Maldives how can one even think that the country will loose Islam as it's foundation and its faith? Who ever thinks otherwise is either unaware of the Constitutional authority Islam has in the country or is unable to digest the reality that Maldivians go way deep into roots of Islam. There should be NO fear among Maldivians to believe or even think of a day when Islam can be wiped off the surface of Maldives. 

We are Maldivians, we have remained an Islamic state for over 800 years or so. We are a country that fosters the Islamic way of life, morals and values. We are apparently the only 100% people democracy in the world that has a 100% Muslim population. We should not only be proud of it but should also protect this legacy by not allowing our country turn into a extremist hub. We should not allow our country to fall into the hands of religious extremists and turn into another Taliban Afghanistan. We are a moderate people with a beautiful history and culture, we are a people of peace and harmony. We should all keep this in mind and make sure we do not take that wrong turn in these changing tides. 

I for one strongly oppose the small protest by some 30 Maldives demanding Religious Freedom in the Country. Not because it was only unacceptable but it is also illegal under the Constitution. One is entitled to Freedom of Assembly and Freedom of Expression under the Maldivian Charter of Rights and Freedom, everyone should abide the charter, and follow the right  to exercise freedom given to one by the charter, one should not do so by going against Article 27 of the Constitution. 

Random thoughts: Politics in Maldives heading nowhere

For any democracy to function one will always assume that there has to be a ruling party and a opposition party. In the case on Maldives, a country that so happens to be a transitioned democracy, we have some 13 different registered political parties, of course divided into two main fronts. These political parties have already formed alliances and alleged to work hand in hand on these fronts.

Then again when one comes to think about the history of most of these parties, one will find that they come from similar origins, born out of personal conflicts, power hunger or difference in opinion. Same old faces from day one, shuffling through the "Party System" of a struggling country.

The country happens to be a Presidential system of government however, with too many elements of a parliamentary system of governance. 

Members of the Parliament (MPs) are elected after a General election where constituencies get to elect their candidates whether it be an independent candidate or a party candidate. When a candidate comes  out with a party ticket, the public goes along with their favored political party and makes sure that the party gets the seat. On rare instances in some constituencies where people do not favor any of the party choices they have, get themselves an independent candidate on their seat. Now these members are elected either cause of their party background or simply cause their political stance go along with the majority. 

Who's holding us back? - GREENPEACE Publication

How carbon-intensive industry is preventing effective climate change legislation

The corporations most responsible for contributing to climate change emissions and profiting from those activities are campaigning to increase their access to international negotiations and, at the same time, working to defeat progressive legislation on climate change and energy around the world.

Greenpeace link

Youth Involvement

This post is targeted to Scouting, however other similar organizations that work with Youth will find this helpful. 

What is Youth Involvement?

Youth involvement is a process that ensures youth have a voice in the decisions that affect their lives. It creates volunteer opportunities for youth to be a part of the changes and decisions being made in their communities. 

There are two main ways in which voluntary organizations can engage in youth participation:

• Internally, ensuring that young people are listened to and involved in decision-making and planning within their own organizations;

• Externally, supporting the young people they work with to get involved in public decision making and address issues that are of concern to them.

In scouting we can take three areas where youth should be encouraged to be involved:

1.       At level of the group/unit; it is important to include young adults in the functioning of the units or groups. Adult with more experience should mentor the young adults keeping their activities on the tight path, in accordance with the scout method, purpose and principles.

2.       Within the movement at other levels; Young adults should be involved while taking major decisions in the local, provincial, regional and national level in scouting. It should be remembered that the scout movement is a movement FOR the young people and it should be of their interest and of themselves rather than an adult show. An equal share of adults and young people should be there in all decision making levels.

3.       Within the community; Scouting is a movement which strives to create a better world, to create this better community scouts as young adults take up leading roles in upholding leadership roles and work in different social initiatives. Positive youth involvement in the community leads to a creation of a better society.

I support ECOCARE Maldives Campaign 'Don't Cage Dolphins" !!!

I support ECOCARE Maldives Campaign 'Don't Cage Dolphins" !!!

Follow the campaign

Chaos: MDP version of Free Judiciary, if innocent #FreeGhassanNow and the 17-year-old

Ghassan Maumoon, son of Gayoom the long time serving former Dictator/President and current interim President of Progressive Party Maldives (PPM), was detained early this morning by the Maldivian Police Service after he was summoned to the Police Headquarters 'for further questioning', concerning the disturbance that took place around his residence on Thursday.

The mob that gathered around the former Presidents residence were mostly seen as Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), senior figure heads and activists.

What began as an MDP nationwide protest against the Judiciary, which ironically "coincided" with the verdict delivery scheduled in a case filed against their MP Mohamed Musthafaa, requesting his candidacy be invalidated, took a different turn when the mob headed towards the residence of the Former President, Alivaage and Enderimaage. Protest turned from a “Free Judiciary” campaign to a “Bring Gayoom to Justice” protest. Protesters were seen to have verbally harass Gayoom, disrupt peace, damaged property and "terrorize" the neighborhood. 

Ali Rasgefaanu Ziyaaraiy - Panoramic view

Ali Rasgefaanu Ziyaaraiy - Panoramic view

Photography by Maeed

National Service could solve Social problems in Maldives... My thoughts ...

Come to think of it !! Every Maldivian, to be more precise every Young Maldivian, after completing his/her basic education (lets assume that's A'Levels or O'Levels), 'joins' National Service in the country for a period of maybe one to two years. Whether it be the Maldivian National Defense Force - MNDF (Army, Fire and Rescue, Coast Guard etc ... ), Police Services or similar National Service institutions. Don't you think we will have a better youth generation? 

(Hopefully we will have a Civil Fire Fighting force soon and a Civil Paramedic service which could be an  addition to the National Service Institutions)

I am not talking about the "forced conscription" that was strictly enforced by the government after the very unfortunate November 3rd failed coup attempt. I am talking about a more 'option' based mechanism, one which will attract the young Maldivian crowd out there. Something that gives youth an opportunity to get them physically fit, a program that can teach important life skills and train them to play a productive roll in the society. 

I support Palestinian right to statehood

I support Palestinian right to statehood.

The Bangladeshi Freedom Fighter: Habibul Alam, Bir Pratik

"... The white Chevrolet rolled into the porch and two people were trying to get out. I threw the second grenade, which landed near the revolting door... It was for the first time that the people who were hanging around Hotel Intercontinental saw with their own eyes that an attack on the government was being made by the freedom fighters ..." 

For those of you who have not met a real "Guerrilla rebel", a real "Freedom Fighter", a real "Hero", a real "Scouter" and a real "Gentleman", all "in one", here is the man you should read about.

Habibul Alam, only a student at Dhaka University, joined the liberation war in Bangladesh early 1971. He fought for a free independent Bangladesh under the command of Sector-2 and K-forces. He made his stand strong and made history witness, his courage and bravery by leading the first group of 17 boys that came into the heart of Dhaka City to fight the enemy. His role in the liberation war till its very end was not just important but necessary. 

For his active participation and bravery in the war of Liberation in 1971 the Government of the Peoples' Republic of Bangladesh awarded him the gallantry award "Bir Pratik". 

Re-thinking Progress: The Circular Economy

Re-think and Re-design our future.

A Circular Economy for a Greener Economy 

09.09.2011: A mourners day to the students of Hiriya School.

A day to remember... 5 very lives lost... Four students, One very extraordinary Principal, lost their last breaths to the mighty waters. 

I was at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata, when Haneef rang me on my cell and told me of this very unfortunate incident. "Its not clear how many died, no exact figures no official statements were issued by any authorities" he told me ... 

With no internet, no IDD facility nor STD facility in the "International" Airport.  I depended on the different people I spoke on phone. Haneef, Zambe and Azan kept me informed with the updates while Babaa (in tears) and Ahlam Miss confirmed me other details. I was terrified to hear of the death of Ali Nazim and the four students. It was one very sorrowful news I had to digest.  

I knew Nazim Sir as the Principal and Group Scout Leader of Hiriya School. He was a kindhearted gentleman who always met me with a warm smile. During the brief encounters we had, he would always ask me how I was doing and how my studies were going on. He would speak very politely, with respect in his tone, to who ever he addressed. I have never seen him say anything loud or seen him rage at anyone.  

Last I saw him was in August, while I was on vacation. On road late night while I was heading home with Azan ... he comes up on the side on his Motorbike very calm and informal, actually it was the very first time I saw him not in a formal wear and in shorts, says hi in his very cheerful tone. There he was with his warm welcoming smile greeting me and Azan. (I remember this last meeting with him all too well because he was taking home some Coconuts.)