Gayyoom is God, he thinks! Dhivehi Observer

Social Review
Gayyoom is not threatened by Bagwaan because he thinks he is a God too

Mariyam Mohamed, Dhivehi Observer, 27 April 2005

We all know how Godly of a state Gayoom always feels. The holy prophet Muhammad have kindly requested to the people on many occasions not to thank him but to thank the mighty Allah but here in Gayoom’s leadership, one of his favourite past time is to bask in the glory of people thanking him on several functions. On most of these gatherings the speakers thank him more than they thank the mighty Allah. He even wants public to thank him for basic services like provision of water, electricity, health and education.

But this one really struck me. Gayyoom is proud of the Knight Grand Cross of St. Michael and St. George (GCMG) which was awarded to him in 1997. (Please check http://www.presidencymaldives.gov.mv/v3/pages/body.phtml?ID=3&Table=Head2&PTID=1). Knights and Dames Grand Cross use the post-nominal "GCMG"; Knights Commanders and Dames Commanders use "KCMG" and "DCMG" respectively; Companions use "CMG." These abbreviations are sometimes interpreted satirically as (in reverse order) "Call Me God"; "Kindly Call Me God"; and "God Calls Me God."

This is quite weird for a person who hates Christianity so much and warns everyone to be aware of the “Christian missionaries” that are trying to penetrate into our society. One may wonder why he is so worried about Christians only so much when he tolerates Hinduism and Buddhism everyday for the past 27 years of his rule. The Maldivian society today is bombarded with scenes from Hiduism and Buddhism everyday. You will see Amitab Bachchan calling for Bagwan(the Hindu god) all the time on National TV and show it’s religious rituals. Perhaps Gayyoom thinks Maldivians have tolerance to Buddhism since Maldives was 100% Buddist before converting to 100% Islam. Or perhaps he is scared of the neighbouring super power India to stop Bagwan being show on TV. Could this be an extension of his foreign policy of not upsetting India?

As a matter of fact, Gayyoom should be more worried about Islam and not Christianity and a little bit about possible spreading of Hinduism in Maldives. He shouldn’t hate Jesus so much because in truth, he is one of our prophets too, “Easa ge faan”. He is obviously not the son of God but he is one of the prophets Allah sent to this world. The risk of Hinduism and Buddhism is far greater in our society today. Most Maldivians, men women and children are hooked to “Kasusti Zindagee Kee, Wageyeraa-Wageyraa” and numerous other Hindi files and serials on TV and showing Bagwan all the time, everyday. The culture and traditions of which have nothing in common with Maldives.

Also if Gayyoom teaches Maldivians better Islam and becomes more of a real Muslim himself, he would not have to worry about anyone converting to another religion. He should know that Maldivians will know better and have more faith in Islam. He does quite the opposite and locks up people who really follow the real Islam such as Sheikh Fareed, who remains in custody even today despite serving his term which itself was a scam to apprehend and put him away. Gayyoom is afraid to teach and practice the True Islam in Maldives because it preaches social justice and equality. True Islam does not equal a man to the status of a God, which Gayyoom thinks he is.

Ram! Ram! Gayye’Ho! Ram! Ram! Gayye’Ho!