:: Dhivehi Observer :: Peoples Press ::

Maldives; the first Islamic country to legalise homosexuality and gay marriages?

Mariyam Mohamed, Male' 13th October

Speculation is mounting that Gayyoom's brother Abdulla Hameed, Maldives' most notorious bi-sexual, is going to propose a change of law in the upcoming constitutional reform agenda which is now underway.

Homosexuality has been a trend of the ruling elite in the Maldives and this is one of the best known public secrets in the Maldives. In addition to homosexuality, paedophilia is common among this princely, powerful and proud 'elite', who have a deep conviction that the wealth of the country belongs to them and that the people of Maldives are their slaves.

Most historians know how Shamsuddeen's kingdom came to an end. A lover of king's son Hassan Izzuddeen was having an extramarital affair with the wife of a servant of the Fareed household (Mohamed Fareed ruled Maldives as Sultan). The matter was brought to the attention of the police by the Fareed family. However, King Shamsuddeen and his son Prince Izzuddeen decided to go all the way in defending this man. When police went to arrest him at Prince Izzuddeen's Palace, Muliaa Ge formerly known as Henveiru Ganduvaru, the Prince and King told the police that they will also go with them to the police headquarters. All three were arrested; the king was deposed and banished to Fuah Mulak. A gay love affair brought about the end of a kingdom which introduced, although not willingly, the first ever constitution of the Maldives in 1932.

This is not a joke. Abdulla Hameed's office, Atolls Administration on the waterfront of Male', is filled with people who are known to be homosexuals. Most official days, you will see good-looking boys and beautiful men queuing outside the office to meet Minister Hameed with a letter. Most of their visits are successful. Maldivians in general are very tolerant to this lifestyle. Perhaps this is why Hameed has no problem living his bisexual life so openly.

What is most thrilling is that Mr. Hameed has suggested - perhaps not really seriously - that there should be a law that allows gay marriages in the Maldives. He referred to this whilst discussing the changes of law in some western countries with regard to this issue. He particularly said 'life will be so beautiful if I could be married to the love of my life' (most Maldivians will guess this as Hussain Manik Don Manik).

Now on a more serious note, Hameed is such a powerful man that he will do whatever he can to get his way. This leads us to believe that when the new constitution is amended and adopted, homosexuality and gay marriages will be legalised in the Maldives making it the first ever Islamic country to do so. The only 100% Muslim country in the world. This will set an example to the rest of the world of how tolerant we Maldivians are to values that are even hard to sell in the wider western world.