:: Dhivehi Observer :: Peoples Press ::

Mullahs and Jaya Hind
The need to phase out Pseudo-Arab oppression and over-zealous propagation of Hindi Culture in Maldives

Contributed by Adam Chako, 12th October 2004

Arabic influence came to the Maldives in the latter part of the 12^th Century. With them Maldivians were blessed with the introduction of Islam, a religion that espouses in large measure, a peaceful way of life. Mixing the two, which have stark differences, have been a successful tactic for Arabization, or Arab colonialism.

Some scholars claim that Islam came to the Maldives via India, while others assert that it came from Sri Lanka. The conquests of parts of India, the Western shores of Sri Lanka and of the Maldives by Arab traders and missionaries in the 11^th and 12^th Centuries who claimed that they were doing "God' business", cannot be bundled together as instilling Arab behaviour and traditions with that of making the population embrace the lofty values of Islam.

After the Arabs beheaded hundreds of Maldivian Buddhist priests as well as Maldivians adhering to other religions in 1172 AD (Isdu Copper plate inscriptions), every Maldivian to this day has been following the religion of Islam. They were also beset by the vagaries of violent and aggressive behaviour foreign to them. This annoyance has featured in the Maldivian psyche throughout the years much as they have been steadfast in following Islam. This is more evident in recent times when Maldivians are poised to usher in a new wave of greater democracy and nationalism.

Renewed fervour

The Arab colonization of the Maldives by infiltration, aided and abetted by Maldivian collaborators gained a new fervour a quarter century ago. The second President of the second Republic, with his coterie of friends in cabinet termed themselves Arab scholars and began a frenzy of destroying the culture of their ancestors. The regime continues it's grip on power from 1978. Their Arabic schools and institutions, ostensibly established to impart knowledge in Islam, were actually attacking the indigenous language, way of life, modes of dress, even architecture. The regime began sending scores of Maldivians for indoctrination in Arabic, Indian and Pakistani schools. After completing their studies in Saudi Arabia, these students have returned to preach a more aggressive brand of Arabization.

Instilling Hindi culture

The regime, pandering to the largest neighbour, (later to become it's saviour in 1988), through its information minister began an intensive programme of propagating Hindi Culture amongst the island Muslims. A constant barrage of Hindi movies, soaps and series as well as constant broadcasts of Hindi songs no doubt pleased the regime's saviours a few hundred miles to the north.

Cultural restlessness

These practices by a regime desperate to hang on to power have led to cultural restlessness among the Maldivians. Many are torn between a natural and in-born love for all things Maldivian (which are becoming increasingly indistinct with Hindi culture) and Islamic dress and Arabic behaviour prescribed by the very mullahs that the regime has produced. They find it difficult to reconcile orthodox forms of Arabic dress modes and behaviour with Kasauti, Kaajol and Jaya Hind.

Enter deceitful journalists

Forever vigilant to push the Hindi cultural agenda, deceitful journalists in Bahr Hind have begun their spins on the situation to prop up the regime they helped save. After all this is the regime that is also doing the most to promote their culture. They begin by denying any colonizing influences on the Maldives, rounding off by making unsubstantiated and absurd observations. One such madly romantic assertion, echoed by some others in many other manifestations is this: “Between a changed President and the present system and a changed system and the incumbent President, the popular choice - based on conversations on the streets of Male - is overwhelmingly in favour of the latter.” Whether the regime, as is their practice, have brought money to bear on these exercises is yet to be known.

Voicing the Arab Agenda

Meanwhile Maldives President Maumoon Gayyoom, a member of the constituent council [of the Muslim World League], speaking recently in Saudi Arabia called for "efforts to defeat the dubious plans of Zionists and colonialists to weaken the Islamic nation and control its wealth".

He does not seem to see any threats from countries closer to home. After all his media monopoly of radio and television are constantly engaged in propagating Hindi culture. His "former students" are active in pushing pseudo-Arab practices which has little to do with Islam. One keeps a powerful neighbour clapping its hands while the other keeps gleeful a frequent source of finance.

No longer in the dark

Little does the regime seem to care that the growing confusion being caused by pushing these twin agenda are annihilating a unique and ancient culture. Much as the neighbouring countries and the Arabs have contributed positively to Maldivian ways of life, efforts to upstage one by the other, (driven by seemingly impartial journalists and spin-mongers), are making these dubious practices evident to Maldivians yearning for a sea change in their affairs. Maldivians who are ushering in change see through the two-faced assertion that a regime supportive of limiting Presidential terms would have the incumbent stand for a record seventh term. Conversations on the streets of Male' point to the fact that Islam in Maldives would thrive in an atmosphere of nationalism, association, assembly and free expression, with structured political institutions that were denied by the present regime. It also indicates an overwhelming need to hound out the oppression of pseudo-Arabs and over-zealous promoters Hindi culture.