P.S This article is based on authors own assumptions/observations and naive interpretations of what he sees in our society.
SOCIETY TODAY: Maldivian society today is a healthy one of many subcultures and denominations that are more often misread and ignored and dismissed by the larger majority. The sub cultures based on religious beliefs and political beliefs and scientific beliefs work in their own cliques within the society. We may choose to say we are 'united' and 'one religion' and are 'peace loving' citizens. That would be factually and evidentially wrong; and a downright lie! Our society is based on few rich people who own the resorts and major businesses to smaller businesses funded by the richer Old Guard and politicians who are financially supported by the same old dinosaurs and a society that lacks proper knowledge and basic life skills. We believe the epitome of life is to own a big smart phone (emphasis on big rather than high technology) and a flashy motor bike or car and with numerous visits to restaurants and café's every day. We are the definition of an MTV generation that has continued its apathy towards real life issues and focussed more on the flashy magazine life styles. We put down our books and play games on tablet devices. We preach religion to cover our own guilt and label another as a Kafir way too often, while never looking in the mirror ourselves. We forgot that religion can only unite when we actually wanted to unite. The biggest problem of all is kids having kids! Our youth, in their prime, with degrees and international undergraduate education, get married and have kids, while they themselves have yet to throw down their own bibs, and contribute to society. The spoon fed population that the 30 year dictatorship created has rooted itself through the non-functional educational system. We eat and drink and spend what we do not have and desire what we never really need. Basic facilities or health care and transportation have not developed as the society is actually quite content with what it has right now!
DEMOCRACY AND REVOLUTION: we never had a revolution since the times of Mohammed Thakurufaanu! The democracy movement was halted and the revolution grasped for its final breath with the first multi party election. The roots of the Old Guard run deep and strong and within all political entities in the country. This counteracts any democracy loving statesmen or politicians. Then again how will we have a revolution when the people do not really need one? They are engaged in extra curricular activities through out the day and night and are quite content with their situation. Unless there is a deep rooted desire and necessity there shall be no revolution. Democracy? Well we first need to know and understand what it is. I am not surprised there still are people who think democracy means we vote in parliamentarians that make the biggest promise and that is it.
DRUGS, GANGS AND JUDICIARY: Heroine, Cocaine, Hashish, Weed, Alcohol, LSD, Meth, Horse tranquillizers and sleeping pills and so much more is abundant in the Maldives. The UN reported that the illicit drug trade is a billion Rufiyaa per year industry. It employs more politicians and gangs and judges than the government!Judiciary? Well when the highest standard of education of a Supreme Court Judge still stands at basic diploma or less and at times judges do not know Islamic Law nor Common Law; the basic tenets of our judicial system and laws. Some barely speak or read English language; I wonder how they even go through complex banking and financial documents in cases. Judges do not need to have a specific educational qualification of higher standard, but basic literary skills, knowledge, experience, morality, ethics and other such qualities seem far more important; at least for this lay person it seems so. The Gangs always win their cases and it is not uncommon for most of the criminal law practising firms in Maldives benefit highly from criminal cases. It is a vicious circle.
EXTREMISM: another one of those terms i find hard to define. We have extremists at all areas and angles and mix and matches as well. Some say religious extremism is the problem, i say lack of education and politicising of religion is the Problem! The educational institutions that the government accepts for religious studies need to be revised! Religion is not the problem but those who practice it to the point of using it as a tool to suppress and again to be popular. The scholars of religion at times seem to be like celebrities! Why not show and lead by example? Volunteer at hospitals to show compassion; teach the Koran to show the support for education; write and discuss and argue over contentious issues amongst the scholars! Well when the society does not demand choice, but rather follow for it is the easier choice, this is where we will be.
TOP IT ALL: i would reiterate that the biggest problem still is Kids having Kids! While we are unable to feed, care or give proper education, we seem to have children. Of course this benefits the consumerism culture created by the financial/capitalist Old Guards. Socialism is a taboo subject! The culture of loans is now on! Home loans, electronic equipment loans to students loans! I myself am guilty of one! We do things just for the sake of doing! Our doctors are doctors because it pays more or was the easiest choice to get a scholarship. Our students aim to achieve top grades so their parents can boast about it amongst their friends! The children have children themselves because that is what their parents did. Learning from example! Yeah allow the youth to marry young to hold back their canal desires or what not, but don't encourage or force them to have kids, while they have not matured enough themselves! Is it all bad? NO!! It is good that we have not come to the breaking point of a revolution! It means we are still capable of healing ourselves! Who knows i might just be talking all crap while sitting at a coffee, with my expensive motorbike parked outside and typing on my brand new orange tablet! I hope the best contribution of mine to the society is not a fertilization of my biological specimen with another to produce another consumerist, sugar crazed, face on the tablet, following, spoon fed, entity! Good Night all you beautiful people; just go read a book
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