STEALING PARADISE

Written by: Sulaimaan Katheeb

She sat quietly staring at the horizon.

Large cargo vessels floated around the harbor area, speed boats crisscrossed. Now and then huge vehicles, cars and motorcycles whizzed past her. People walked, people talked and people just went past her. The outer main road of Male’, capital of Maldives was buzzing with sluggish activity under the hot mid afternoon sun.

A discarded wooden box on the pavement served as her chair and cool shade was blessed by a small tree planted in a vain effort to hide the lifeless concrete structures. The bright red satin Maldivian dress embroidered with shining gold and silver glared in stark contrast to the modern scenery surrounding her.

This was her favorite spot; a few minutes walk from home. Even though now artificial, she was near the sea, the sun and the sand – the heart of Maldives.

Her seemingly young eyes mocked the old weather beaten wrinkled face and her bent posture of old age. From their unknown depth she stared at the present and the past.

In her mind she saw coconut trees dancing to the beat of gentle waves kissing the soft white sandy beaches, glittering azure blue lagoons stretching into the embracing arms of the never ending sea. Horizon scattered with lush green virgin islands and the translucent light blue sky, speckled with pearl white clouds flirting with the golden sun.

A faint Mona Lisa smile appeared like a mirage on her face and faded into the wrinkles.

A paradise was stolen.

Maldives has its own list of great leaders like president Amin Did, Ibrahim Nasir and Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom, who were paramount in bringing development to Maldives. Of course this is just a few from recent history.

Mohamed Amin Didi was the first democratic president of Maldives. After the death of Sultan Majeed Didi and his son Prince Hassan Fareed Didi, the members of the parliament elected Amin Didi as the next person in line to succeed the sultan. But Amin Didi is known to have said: "for the sake of the people of Maldives I will not accept the crown and the throne". A referendum was held, with the support of the people, he abolished the 812-year-old sultanate and on 1 January 1953 became the first president of the Republic of Maldives. He is also the first leader of the first political party of Maldives, Rayyithunge Muthagaddim Party. Well known for his efforts to modernize the country, which included the advancement of women, education, nationalizing the fish export industry and an unpopular ban on tobacco smoking.

Ibrahim Nasir started civil aviation and was the pioneer of tourism industry. Some of his well-known feats include commencing radio and television, mechanizing the “dhoni” – Maldivian sailboat and instituting modern educational curriculum in English medium to schools. His no-nonsense attitude and strict authoritarian rule made it impossible for the imperialistic British to divide the country. Ultimately winning the independence from British on 26 July 1965.

Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom catapulted Maldives from the least developed 20 countries into a developing nation. The long authoritarian rule known to supporters as “Golden 30 Years” was an era of peace and prosperity. He was the key figure in bringing the perils of low-lying island nations to the attention of the world - a man for all islands. Environment was kept on the forefront during his time of developing Maldives. Without a doubt, he was the pioneer in building flats to create housing, in a country deficient of land - 99% of Maldives is sea. It was during his last term that Maumoon brought modern day democracy to Maldives, mainly because of domestic and international pressure.

Until modern democracy Maldives was a success story.

For Maldives development came with close harmony with the environment. Sustainable environment friendly pole and line fishing by Maldivian fisherman was renowned all over the world. Tourism industry was based on selling the environment so it does not leave anybody guessing to the predominant importance of the environment.

But what was the most expensive thing in this beautiful paradise? Without a doubt it was “peace”.

Maldives was one of the most peaceful countries in the world. We were acclaimed for our friendliness and neighborly love towards each other. Crime rate was very low and crimes such as mugging were unheard off. In 1980s it was common to find local businessmen riding bicycles home and carrying their daily sales in cash in see-through plastic bags.

We had one language, one race and one religion – a close knit family.

With the ever-changing world and development our senses were slowly lured into the beautiful enchanting songs of democracy by the Western Sirens.

In a short while, a population of less then four hundred thousand had a record breaking number of political parties per head. The rights of the criminal outweighed the pains of the victim. To call whatever we wish at each other became the norm of daily life. Families, friends and neighbors were lost in political bullshit. A paradise destroyed – a paradise stolen.

I am sure any educated person will read my aversion to democracy openmouthed and in disbelief.

To set the record straight I don’t have anything against democracy. My fight is with the belief that a full Western democracy is best for every country.

I am all ears if you can explain, why it is to slowly slaughter a defenseless nation like Palestine by one of the most heavily militarized defense force Israel is considered self defense? Why is it to draw cartoons of Prophet Mohamed (PBUH) as a terrorist and Italy earthquake victims as ‘lasagne’ called freedom of expression? Also tell me what is the freedom to remove a Burkini of an unarmed woman by a police force called?

In loving memory of my great-grandmother.

Horizon stared quietly at her.