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Selected by Maldives Culture editors The Family  Australian writer and currency expert Peter Symes spent many hours meticulously researching this article on Maldivian banknotes. Co-authored by Canadian Murray Hanewich and accompanied by outstanding graphics, the result was one of our most original and informative contributions. The Bank Notes of the Maldives 'The mixture of the two scripts in one phrase can be seen in the title of the signatory - the 'Head of the Department of Finance'. The words for 'Department of Finance' are written in Arabic, but the words for 'Head of' are written in Thaana script'... complete article A story of divorce, lust, betrayal and legal action... with a happy ending.  Temporary marriage breaks a troubled knot, and brings a woman new happiness 'All expenses for the deal were paid by the first husband, he even organised the guest house room for the newlywed couple. The wedding dinner, also paid for by him, was held at Symphony restaurant, and at midnight the three of them went to the guest house. The ex-husband waited on a chair outside the room. Next morning the new husband came out looking very relaxed with a cigarette in his mouth'... complete article The once-vibrant Maldivian discussion area, Dhivehi Forum on www.delphi.com has been largely suppressed, and the hard drives of computers owned by arrested political activists are now routinely examined by National Security personnel.
The Maldivian internet relay chat (irc) channel Kotari is now dominated and administered by National Security Service personnel who have suppressed a lot of the free-ranging political and social discussions that once made it entertaining and informative. This chat discussion between two Maldivians, on the subject of political freedom, makes interesting reading. Kotari Chat with the NSS A discussion concerning 'fundamental norms'... complete transcript A series of articles offered serious critiques of the Maldivian Constitution, the use of international aid in Maldives, the role of the National Security Service in human rights violations, and the modern Maldivian police state controlled by President Gayyoom. "A Structure Built on Loose Sand" 'A constitution that lacks the fundamental norms of these principles is likely to fall apart in the event of socio-economic or political turmoil, like a sandcastle tumbling down on a sandy beach'... complete article How the Maldives Government Misuses International Aid and Assistance 'reliable indications that millions of US dollars in cash are taken out of the country as diplomatic cargo'... complete article Political Terrorism brings down the Maldives 'government has not passed any legislation to control powers of the police, to guarantee individual privacy, or provide rules of criminal evidence on trials'... complete article The Maldivian Police State and the Cult of President Maumoon Gayyoom
complete article Government attempts to impose satellite TV censorship ended in serious disturbances at Naifaru island in August 2001. National Security Service personnel from their base just north of Naifaru regained control of the island. Later there was a confirmed report of a bomb explosion in a Naifaru shop. Haveeru newspaper inferred the shopowner was a 'government' supporter.
Some Naifaruans are still in prison over this affair, and there has been an unconfirmed report that a young Naifaru man has been tortured and his arm and spine have been seriously injured. No reporting of the revolt was allowed in Maldives at the time. Maldives island revolt over satellite TV reception prompts amphibious assault by police and troops 'islanders resisted government attempts to ban community sharing of satellite TV transmissions'... complete article Fanditha has always been an essential part of Maldivian soccer. Sometimes whole teams play with thavidhu spells written on paper and packed into the toes of their boots. World Cup contenders beware!
'Except for his own fanditha books, all the other things he needed for the rituals were supplied by supporters of the club'... complete article Grahame Lynch's article in Telecom Asia lifted the lid on Cable & Wireless' pricing practices, enraging telephone and internet users in Maldives who are paying some of the highest rates in the world.
'It praises itself for what it claims as the world's most technologically advanced IP network. But it still makes too much of its money via neo-colonialist monopoly arrangements in third-world countries'... complete article Maldives' cheaper restaurants were male bastions until recently. Women workers are proving to be a civilising force. More jobs for women in West Harbour teashops, but harassment is serious problem for waitresses 'The day I began working in one of those shops I was terrified. Many people spoke to me in an abusive manner. I still hear those things. Now I don't care'... complete article Many Maldivians found the internet offered a platform for free discussion of possible political and social reforms. The regime responded with appeals to patriotism and warnings of Armageddon.
'Greed is making people a slave to their own self-interest, blindly trying to achieve what they want without any thought for the consequences. Their plan is to gain some political power, and use this influence to become even richer'... complete article |
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MaldivesCulture is an independent internet magazine of Maldivian cultural issues.
Editors and translators: Michael O'Shea and Fareesha Abdulla, Australia
We invite contributions from Maldivians and others interested in Maldives.
Contributions and comments - mc_editors@hotmail.com
