Author: R. Upadhyay
Publication: South Asia Analysis Group
Date: March 7, 2008
URL: http://www.southasiaanalysis.org/papers27/paper2610.html
Tourist brochure describes Maldives as a paradise.
Perhaps due to the natural beauty, this country of 1192 small coral islands
in Indian Ocean was known as Maldveep (Garland of island) in ancient Sanskrit
literature. With 100 % Sunni Muslim population of over three lakhs, area of
800 square kilo metres distributed across atolls and islands, having more
sea than land in its occupation and historical roots in South Indian, Sri
Lankan Sinhalese and Arab communities, it remained isolated from the influence
of modern world for centuries. Situated at a distance of about 450 miles southwest
of Sri Lanka and nearly 300 miles away from the southern coastline of India,
both the countries are its nearest marine neighbours. Because of its Location
on the major marine routes in Indian Ocean, its geo-strategic importance can
be understood.
Before the advent of Islam in the island its
natives were practising Buddhism. Islam was initially introduced largely in
its southern area in 1127 AD but the then tolerant Buddhist ruler did not
give any patronage to conversion. However, in 1153 the Buddhist king Dhobenei
Kalaminj Siri Bavanaadheettha got converted to this faith and imposed it on
his subjects. Although, with the introduction of new religion Maldives also
faced the challenge of Arabisation, the influence of pre-Islamic past remained
the bedrock of its socio-political philosophy till it came in contact with
the wider part of modern world.
Maldives has all along been an independent
State except for a brief period of about 15 years under Portuguese occupation
in 16th century and under British protectorate from 1887 till 26th July 1965,
when it got independence. It reverted from Sultanate to a republic on 11th
November 1968.
After reversion of Maldives from Sultanate
to a republic, its first president Ibrahim Nasir opened up the country for
tourists and foreign investments. The growth of tourist industry in this Muslim
country was somehow not palatable for the Islamist establishments from all
over the world. However, when Abdul Gayoom, who is educated in Islamic jurisprudence
from Al Azhar University in Cairo became president in 1978, he changed the
role of religion significantly and irreversibly transformed the traditionally
tolerant society into an increasingly radicalized Islamic society. Since the
tourist industry was the backbone of national economy, it was not possible
for him to close it but due to his Islamic educational background, religion
occupied a front seat in his politics. He sent a significant number of youths
to Islamic institutions in countries like Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Pakistan and
India for Islamic studies.
With huge funding from Saudi Arabia for Wahhabisation
of Maldives Islamist zealots on their return from Islamic institutions became
loyal collaborators of the regime and began an intense indoctrination for
Arbisation of the island in the 1980s. Describing the indigenous cultural
symbols like native names, language, greetings and attire as 'Jahiliya' (Age
of darkness) they "began insisting that it was sinful to call God anything
other than Allah" (maldivesroyalfamily.com). This made the Maldivians
culturally restless as Arbisation of language was an assault on their vocal
chord that was accustomed to pronounce 'Maaiyraskalaange" for the term
God. Although, they tried to ignore the dictates of Mullahs, they succumbed
to the threat of Islamist preachers who said that non-pronouncement of Allah
by Muslims would send them to hell. Gradually, this cultural conquest forced
the traditional Maldivian culture disappear from the island. Traditionally,
some parents used to send their children for Islamic education in countries
like Egypt and Saudi Arabia solely for their solid moral foundation but after
Gayoom came to power promotion of anti-Semitic and hate-Israel teachings in
Madrasas increased religious sentiments. "Now we are in evil times and
teachers train children in fanaticism and bigotry in Islamic schools"
(Ibid.).
Since its independence, Maldives adopted a
policy not to allow military base of any world power although the Wartime
British air base on its Gan Island in Addu Atoll continued till it was unilaterally
given up in 1976. It had even rejected the proposal of Soviet Union for access
to its military base in the island following the withdrawal of the British.
India too never felt the need to actively harness the Maldives' strategic
potential in Indian Nation. However, when Gayoom became the president, he
adopted the policy of multilateral and bilateral approach, which was quite
visible during the coup against him in November 1988 which he could overcome
with help from India. He sent an international appeal for political and moral
support but sought military appeal only from India, as he wanted to keep the
island away base from extra regional powers.
It is said that President Gayoom used Islam
as a tool to marginalise his political opponents. In his presidential address
to the nation on the occasion of country's national day, he often blamed opposition
for their alleged motive to bring other religions to the country. The 1997
Maldives constitution designated Islam as the official religion and law prohibits
the Maldivian citizens to practise any religion other than Islam.
In 2003, posters praising Osama bin Laden
appeared on the walls of a school in the Edyafushi island. A shop displaying
photo of Sant Claus was attacked in 2005.
Gayoom often projected himself as supreme
propagator of Islam which progressed at a remarkable state under his last
thirty years continuous rule. He had repeatedly stated that "Maldivians
are born Muslims". During his tour to India in 2005 while addressing
the Maldivian students he asked them not to deviate from the strict Islamic
policies set by his government and advised them to "strive hard to avoid
the influence of new ideas including liberalism, tolerance and outspokenness"
(Minivian News). Speaking in Male on April 10, 2005, he said "Islam and
freedom of this country are interconnected" (Ibid.).
"Among the roughly 180 countries of the
world, Maldives is placed in the sixth position, concerning intolerance and
harassment against minorities" (Ibid. dated June 12, 2005). Government
of Maldives stresses that "belonging to anything else but the Muslim
ideology would be against Maldivian tradition" (Ibid.).
The first Islamist terror strike was in Sultan
Park of Male, the capital of Maldives on September 29, 2007 targeting the
foreign tourists in which about a dozen of them were injured. Maldives police
believed that the blast was a plot of Islamic militants against the tourist
industry of the country. Even President Gayoom admitted that Islamist terrorism
has begun to affect the peaceful image of the island. He ordered a ban on
entry of Mullhas and Islamic clerics from outside Maldives without any invitation
from the authorities. His government also cracked down on religious dissent
banning foreign preachers and unlicensed prayer groups (AtollTime.com).
Although, a Safari clad clean shaven Gayoom
has been trying to prove his moderate image, he cannot escape the responsibility
of the growth of Wahhabism in Maldives which is the root of terrorism. His
commitment to the promotion of hard-line Islam, constitutional ban on the
practice of any other religion except Islam, the growing popularity of beards
and veils, and dictates of Mullahs to shun music, to stop listening to music
and watching T.V. are indications that Maldives is creeping towards its Talibanisation.
Reports about growing number of youths from Maldives supporting the militant
philosophy of Jihad also suggest the rise of militant Islam in this country.
Sultan Park incident has not only confirmed it but has also sent a signal
that Islamist terrorism which starts from Pakistan has discovered a new route
of terrorism via Maldives to support the Islamist groups in southern Indian
states, where a number of terror attacks took place last year. In the absence
of adequate security forces and advanced arms and equipments Maldives may
not be capable to destroy the sleeping cells of terrorists.
India occupies the core position among South
Asian countries and therefore, its natural concern is to protect its national
interest from the inevitable consequence of the changing geo-strategic influence
in the region. It is already facing the challenge of Mullah-Military alliance
in Pakistan, Bangladesh and from the growth of Islamic radicalism in Sri Lanka.
But Maldives, an integral part of South Asia and a member of South Asian Association
for Regional Co-operation (SAARC) has failed to construct a secular structure
during last thirty years rule of President Gayoom, which allowed the extreme
Islamist groups of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and India to transform the
Islamic society of his country to a more conservative nation and active form.
India is thus facing the unabated challenge
of Islamist terrorism that get embedded in neighbouring countries. This should
be cause for concern.
(The author can be reached at e-mail ramashray60@rediffmail.com)
