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Maldive money financing sect differences in the country, says Islamic Supreme Council president
by Ismail Rasheed
Haveeru 12 June 2003
translated by Maldives Culture editors
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Mohamed Rasheed Ibrahim
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A group of people are being paid to foster sectarian interests within Islam in Maldives, according to the president of the supreme council of Islamic affairs (and chief judge) Mohamed Rasheed Ibrahim. He was addressing a special afternoon discussion on Islamic affairs, being held as part of the conference to improve atoll administration.
Chief judge Ibrahim noted that the (Seychelles) Feba weekly christian radio broadcasts in Dhivehi language, have increased from once to twice a week. In addition, there are now these attempts to create sect differences among Maldivians.
'Enemies are attacking on three fronts to create disharmony,' says the judge. 'One is a particular group of people who are working to spread Christianity among Maldivians. Another group are Maldivians, and they are spending money in an effort to create sect differences.' [Sheikhu Rasheed's third enemy front was not given in this report, translators.]
According to the supreme council, a group of people have already been arrested for trying to create sect differences in Maldives. Fatwas spread by such people should not be allowed to shatter the nation's Islamic faith.
* For Haveeru's English report of the chief judge's speech, click here.
Maldives Culture comment:
The chief judge seems to be referring to the NSS raid last month on a peaceful religious meeting in Malé. Ali Adam Manik was arrested with 10 other members of Muslim Gulhun while they held a discussion on the occasion of Prophet Muhammad's birthday about the status, discipline, and general behavior of people in Malé.
The group had received a written reply from President Gayyoom about their request for a permit to give lectures at Malé mosques. The letter suggested that they contact the relevant government departments for permission. The members were arrested during their regular weekly afternoon meeting on the terrace of Keeranmaage, Ali Adam Manik's house in Henveiru ward. The ten people arrested with Ali Manik were all released by midnight, but Manik remained in custody. Among the arrested people was Ashrafee Adam Manik, the owner of Ashrafee Bookshop. He was released with the others, after making statements.
Ali Adam Manik, also known as Sumaatu Alibe, was presiding over the meeting. He was a sportsman during his school days, and a renowned goalkeeper for the inaptly named Malé Tennis Club football team.
Ali Manik is described by his friends as 'a gentle and kind man' who was severely affected by the torture and death in gaol of his elder brother Abdul Gayyoom during the rule of President Nasir in 1968. The death of Manik's brother, and others, prompted President Nasir to visit the gaol on Vilingili island next to Malé where he found prisoners tied in the lagoon with fish offal attached to their bodies to attract sharks.
In 1963, when Ali Manik was on guard duty at a Majeediyya school cadet camp in Hulhulé, he suffered a nervous breakdown and claimed to see an evil apparition called 'bodu meehaa'.
In the 1980s, he was observed talking to the Munnaaru, a large landmark minaret in Malé.
Some Maldivians believe Ali Adam Manik is insane, but others revere him as a holy man and follower of Wahhabi Islam. His sister is married to Majeed, one of President Gayyoom's brothers. There is no credible evidence that Ali Manik and his friends are a threat to the Maldive people or its government.
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President Maumoon Gayyoom | 'Manik might be crazy, but for President Gayyoom to arrest him is even crazier,' wrote a cynical correspondent to this site. 'Gayyoom must feel safe now he has his looney brother's looney brother-in-law behind bars.'
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