All of yesterday, I waited for something special. That special feeling of independence and freedom. Boy was I disappointed! Pretty stupid of me to have any expectations isn’t it? As a kid, this was one of the holidays that I most looked forward to, all that preparation, going to galolhu dhandu and having fun. When I was old enough I always participated in one of the ‘acts’ of entertainment. Somehow it made me proud to be a Maldivian. I had pride in my Nation. Which is far from what most people feel today.
Nowadays the celebration it self has become a private show for Gayoom, the public no longer able to participate and celebrate. Strictly in my opinion this happened way back when he refused to have it in Galolhu Stadium. And from the sounds of things, yesterday’s celebration was solely meant for him. What a pity!
So why are we still celebrating Independence Day? Is it still relevant? Do we still feel independent? Sure it was some sort of mark in History when Nasir signed the agreement or release or whatever from the British. But these days all I hear from the opposition is the call for the BRITISH to get involved in Maldivian affairs. We are lucky if its only the British who are involved! And then on the other hand we have Gayoom playing his cards to impress these countries. Is this what we call independence? The older child trying to appease the parent, and the younger sibling crying for milk. What a state our independence is in!
I say we get rid of the Independence Day and start looking forward to celebrating a Freedom Day instead. I am not saying its gonna happen any time soon, but I can keep hoping can’t I?
Nowadays the celebration it self has become a private show for Gayoom, the public no longer able to participate and celebrate. Strictly in my opinion this happened way back when he refused to have it in Galolhu Stadium. And from the sounds of things, yesterday’s celebration was solely meant for him. What a pity!
So why are we still celebrating Independence Day? Is it still relevant? Do we still feel independent? Sure it was some sort of mark in History when Nasir signed the agreement or release or whatever from the British. But these days all I hear from the opposition is the call for the BRITISH to get involved in Maldivian affairs. We are lucky if its only the British who are involved! And then on the other hand we have Gayoom playing his cards to impress these countries. Is this what we call independence? The older child trying to appease the parent, and the younger sibling crying for milk. What a state our independence is in!
I say we get rid of the Independence Day and start looking forward to celebrating a Freedom Day instead. I am not saying its gonna happen any time soon, but I can keep hoping can’t I?
heheh. good one. well, as for me i did participate in the float once as a captain of a ship.(maybe that explains why im studying to be one now). but the only reason ive looked forward to the 26th was for the holidays to go somewhere else besides male'. never enjoyed the marching etc.
ReplyDeleteand what uve said is so very true. its like a bro of mine told us. "what does the 26th night celebrations remind you of?" when we said we didnt know he goes. "it reminds me of Pharoah. him on his throne with his wife and ministers and people dancing and trying to impress the pharoah. making a show FOR him". if u look at it in that sense, its hard to say he is wrong. hehe
heheh. yeha isn't that what he is now? if he had his way, he would want us to bow down to him now.
ReplyDeleteAthena, It is not just running to the British crying for milk. When the going gets tough some of us even seek refugee status in Britian and other countries ruled by the Queen of England. Some of us are even getting residency in these kuffar nations and others of us are taking affirmations of allegiance as citizens of these najis non-Muslim countries. May be it is a few people like you and me who are still "proud to be Maldivian" and have not done these things as soon as the opportunities have arisen, or have we?
ReplyDeletehmmm my dear friend
ReplyDeleteyou do have a point.
the simple fact is that I don't feel any independence in Maldives, the fact that I am still in NZ is proof of that, and I can't celebrate Jul 26 as the day of independence (I am not belittling the historical significance of the day).
seeking refuge and being totally dependent is totally different isn't it?
and this isn't about you, so don't bring religion to it. will put up a post for us to fight about.
cya
ps. I am still a proud to be a maldivian, are you?
The best thing about 26th July for me is that it is a holiday. No feelings of being elated because we are commemorating our independence.
ReplyDeleteI say even if we get rid of Independence Day we keep 26th (and 27th) July as holidays :-)
Let me put it this way. One cannot claim to be proud of one's old nationality after one has adopted a new (albeit joint) nationality. To give you a purely hypothetical example, let us say that I have re-adopted British nationality (yes, I was born British) by taking an affirmation of allegiance to the Queen of England and Head of the Church of England (a najis, kuffar queen). Even if I have not renounced my Maldivian nationality, I cannot be called a "proud Maldivian" any more. In all honesty I cannot claim the label "proud to be a Maldivian". Yes, I will continue to be proud of my heritage; my birthplace (as opposed to the "country of birth"); my ancestors who are buried there. I cannot, however, claim to be proud of the Republic of Maldives (the state) per se.
ReplyDeleteP.S.: Going back to the above hypothetical example, if I were to affrim allegiance to the Queen of England and Head of the Church of England (a najis, kuffar, Christian queen) can I be justifiably accused of being a najis, kuffar myself? So Maldivians who adopt foreign citizenship must ask themselves if they are truly Muslims if they pay allegiance to a kuffar country. Alternatively the question is whether or not they are cheating the kuffar country by making a dishonest affirmation of allegiance. (PPS: Just playing the usual devil's advocate here, Athena:) - or should I say Iblis' advocate?)
ReplyDeleteMaldivian Devil: yes, keep the holiday definitely, I could always use more of that
ReplyDeleteMy dear friend: I believe one can still be proud of one's old nationality even if a new one is adpoted. Simply because you are not giving up one to have the other. I don't know about you, But I certainly woudn't lose my connection with Maldives if I were to get NZ citizenship. Isn't that the whole purpose of dual citizenship? But having said that, if you are living in nz you obey nz laws and that of Queen Elizabeth 9as you want tokeep mentioning her), but if you live in Maldives you ofcourse would obey the laws of Maldives.
ReplyDeletethe Affirmation to the Queen, is to the Queen of NZ not to that of England. yep she happens to be both, but thats what I was told anyway. But why does that make a difference? I mean her religion, why is that sucha big deal to you?? people make allegiances and alliances, all the time. and yes muslim states do too. I am just curious as to why it makes such a huge difference to you.
I don't know whether you have dual citizenship or not, but if you have given up your Maldivian one I don't see why you have to have pride in your "OLD" citizenship .. as you say
My dearest friend.
ReplyDeleteAre you confusing yourself and others in the process about the allegiance or oath you have to take in order to be a citizen?
why can't you alleage (don't know if thats the proper word) yourself to a Queen and not change who you are? or do you mean, by alleaging yourself, you would chaneg your whole believe system? that sounds crazy to me.
But hey, I would know, IF and when , I would face such a situation wouldn't I?
But I still don't see the conflict. and yeah you are right, I don't think you are "playing" the devil's advocate, you must be. :)
Ps how come you don't have your own blog? or do you?
Oh yeah here is the Oath and the Allegiance. whats the big deal?
ReplyDeleteOath of Allegiance
I (your name) swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, Queen of New Zealand, Her heirs and successors according to the law, and that I will faithfully observe the laws of New Zealand and fulfil my duties as a New Zealand citizen. So help me God.
Affirmation of Allegiance
I (your name) solemnly and sincerely affirm that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, Queen of New Zealand, Her heirs and successors according to the law, and that I will faithfully observe the laws of New Zealand and fulfil my duties as a New Zealand citizen.