Whose Next?!

I’m shocked. It’s disgusting to know there are fellow Maldivians who like the idea of beheading and may be even willing to do it to anyone who have a different opinion. This is horrendous! What is even more disgusting is that we are so quiet about the fact and we allowed it to escalate to this point.  Like many others I thought why I should care? Why should I even bother about this? But I cannot just ignore it.  Not anymore. Why? Because some of my family and friends are not fans of traditional Arab costume or Taliban preferred version of believers.  My husband does not fancy having facial hair and I do not believe a certain type of dress is the only thing that makes a woman virtuous.  The initial threat was made to Hialth Rasheed, a prominent local journalist, but other names were included in the latest threat including the First Lady Laila Ali. To my knowledge she has never made fun of Islam or the Prophet. She has never publicly expressed her opinion about religion. So why is she on that list? Is it because she is the First Lady? Or is it because she does not wear veil? Or the agenda to include her is to scare all Maldivian women who prefer to stay without veil?

People have different opinions and it is not right, or wrong. Being human beings, these things should be accepted and tolerated. I have personally experienced that everyone who grows their beard or wear black gowns do not have the same extreme ideologies. In fact, some of them have never tried to advise me on how I should follow religion, what I should wear and whom I must be friends with. Instead, they simply tell me what they do, why they do and how it makes them feel. I respect such people. However, there are some people who try to enlighten me and think that they should show me the ‘right path.’ Sometimes I wonder why they insist and trouble so much; perhaps they think they need my company in heaven? Or are they certain that they would be chosen but I would not? Besides, there are Maldivians who actually believe that a man without a lengthy beard is not worth a human being, he should not be greeted verbally or with a hand shake. Same goes with the veil. Simply wearing veil is not good enough. It should be black, huge and perhaps accompanied with a foul odour too. It should be of a certain cut, colour and in length so when you walk it would sweep the road full of spit and rubbish and it is ok to pray in that garment without changing.

It baffles me when people try to force each other on things when we all say the belief of Muslims are, that Allah is the one and only god and there is no god except Allah, and it is he who judges us according to our deeds. So why are they judging others?  Why do they feel that they should hurt and punish people? If they believe in judgement day why are they so impatient about giving “the easy way out” to some of us? Do they really believe that God assigned them to the task and expect to do accordingly? Who are they to decide who goes to hell and who goes to heaven?

If you are so threatened about other people who are a bit different than you, why don’t you just go ahead and make plans to live in a place with less threatening people? Why don’t you all make a petition to raise funds or schedule appointments with people who might be able to help you go where you want? Don’t you think it would be better for you to be away from the Maldives before it sinks with all the evil people in it? You can enjoy the desert, mountains, goats and camels and live a life without toothbrush and toothpaste. Well, as you lot say it, that’s life for you.