30 July 2002

Home page News archive History Dhivehi Fanditha Glossary Links Zipped E-mail Now Available A reliable English-Dhivehi dictionary for Maldivian students, foreign tourists and researchers. Click here or on graphic above for sample pages Laser printed on A4 paper, plastic ring-binding, clear plastic covers. All entries in English (Roman) script. Dhivehi (Thaana script) introduction included. Delivered world wide by airmail, price: $US 60. Order through this site's contact email address at bottom of page.

Maldives Independence Daze 'The National Security Service went bonkers about security. Some visiting dignitaries were alarmed to see gun-toting heavies on the roof tops!'...[more] The President is forgiving, and the children are not happy Comment from readers 'Let's have no doubt that the people who have been sentenced to 25 years imprisonment for writing in Sandhaanu will be released soon. The President is a forgiving person'... 'it the maldivian way to be silent but inside we r burning'...[more] Hard marking at NSS headquarters Student essay results in gaol term 'Usaid is now believed to be at the Maafushi island detention centre. There have been no formal charges, and no media coverage of these events within Maldives'...[more] Epidemics spread through Maldives Viral fever spreading in all atolls — 2,700 people contract diarrhoea, viral fever, influenza and measles in four days 'The government is taking the appropriate steps to control the epidemics. These include arranging easy access to health services in Malé and other islands, and closing down pre-schools and primary schools. Experts from overseas have been called in to investigate the epidemics'...[more] Thou shall not read! Five Maldivian men arrested for dropping Christian pamphlets on Malé street 'The documents contained information about that religion and the benefits of that religion'...[more] Email newsletter writers guilty of treason and defamation Maldives writer demands 500 year life sentence from Malé court 'No defence by the prisoners or lawyers was allowed at the trial on Sunday, and Luthfee appealed to the judge to increase his sentence from 25 to 500 years, stating that it was his desire to remain in gaol until President Gayyoom was out of office. Everyone inside the court burst out laughing'...[more] Huvaas' tribute to preacher and prayer leader Ibrahim Fareed Ahmed, published before his arrest and imprisonment All ears to him — Fareed's popularity rises as religious preacher and leader of Friday prayer 'As soon as he began to develop the noble and graceful habit of reciting Koran, Fareed made every effort to hone those skills. He won the Koran recitation competitions held in Dhaalu atoll at a very young age'...[more] Eternal Rest? Lengthy prostration in Laamu causes alarm 'The two men gently took hold of the man by his upper arm and turned him over to the other side'...[more] After months of imprisonment without trial and torture under interrogation, Ibrahim Luthfee challenges his accusers Sandhaanu writer defies Maldives court 'Luthfee loudly denied the charges, and insisted that he was prepared to prove every allegation he had made in Sandhaanu regarding Maldives President Gayyoom'...[more] Gayyoom and Lee Kwan Yew A Pinch of Maldivian Taste 'Then the Arab world was politically convinced by Michel Aflaq's version of an Arab Socialist system called Baa'th which was developed and practised in Syria. And later the Baa'th party of Iraq took power in that country'...[more] Islamic preacher Ibrahim Fareed arrested Fareed was warned that his lectures were threatening 'peace and harmony'. In that case, he replied, Prophet Muhammad's words threatened 'peace and harmony'...[more] President Gayyoom and the Limit$ of Vi$ion 'As head of state over a functioning parliament, Gayyoom could have exercised wisdom and influence, without being responsible for the rough and tumble of day-to-day politics. But the challenge was beyond him, and the country is the poorer for that'...[more] Beware of Christians bearing gifts Maldives President warns Maldivian families living abroad — offers of free medical care and education may be a lure to indoctrination in the Christian religion 'if any place is given to any other religion in the Maldives, the harmony, peace and tranquillity enjoyed by the country would disappear. The freedom, self-rule and independence of the Maldive Islands would definitely end'...[more] Email response to President Gayyoom's comments on Constitutional Islam Amnesty International Update Maldives government refuses to comment on political arrests 'They were reportedly not allowed the services of a lawyer and were charged with "conspiring to cause hatred in the people's mind towards the government".'..[more] Veiled teacher prompts student transfer 'now the student attends a class where the teacher has no veil. Instead she wears lipstick and bright clothes'...[more] Malé voters stay home as President Gayyoom's popularity sinks to new low Backlash in Maldives Majlis byelection - 62% refuse to vote 'This is possibly the lowest voter participation rate in Maldivian history'...[more] Ministers, aides and bureaucrats remain silent as President Gayyoom imprisons and exiles an innocent man High-level conspiracy keeps Mohamed Nasheed in exile 'They laughed and joked as Nasheed pulled scraps of discarded paper from the dust and rubble of the partially demolished house. Minister Rashida Yusuf was delighted when she recognised Nasir's children's schoolwork that had been marked by her when she had been a teacher many years ago'...[more] Special interview with Maldives Dhivehi language magazine Huvaas Hamid Mir — the last journalist to interview Osama bin Laden 'they explained that these procedures were very important because there may have been a chemical rubbed into my skin that the American army would use to locate Osama by satellite. Or I might have swallowed something that would do the same thing. That's why I was showering and flushing out my intestines'...[more] Nazeer Jamaal Former Presidential candidate shares his vision and photographs of his life and country 'I wish to see more investment in the most precious resource we have; the skills and abilities of the Maldivian people to innovate.' [ more ] Over 250 photographs - personal and historical [ available here ] Please note: photo album access requires msn passport (hotmail email address and your password). Who was the father? Woman receives life sentence for killing her newborn baby 'She put the live baby in a nearby bin and covered it with rubbish'...[more] Popular political reformer and writer Mohamed Nasheed left Malé on Tuesday night to continue his sentence of two and half years exile in Angolhitheemu island in Raa atoll. See previous article on the Nasheed case: Mohamed Nasheed stripped of Malé Majlis seat Fundamentalist sects in the world's major religions have always sought to control women and restrict their lives. Now the Gayyoom regime is selectively using outdated Arab laws and misrepresenting Maldivian traditions to justify ignoring international conventions protecting women's legal rights Hiding behind old Arab law and fake traditions to keep Maldives women down 'The first written constitution of the Maldives in 1932 allowed the head of state to be a woman, so long as she was a Muslim'...[more] Arrested, tortured and crippled in the mid-1990s after he criticised the Gayyoom regime, a popular writer and diarist speaks about 60 years of dedicated service to his country The Diaries of Ahmed Shafeeg 'Most of what I have written in the diaries is very accurate and truthful. Perhaps that is the problem. But my diary belongs to me, and I should have the liberty to write what I like in there. No one can stop me. It is my nature and I'm addicted to it now'...[more] Tryst captured on video Lovers in criminal court over film 'He showed it to me when I was standing at the school gate,' said Fathmath, who has a beautiful body...[more] Maldives' most popular musician Ali Rameez interview 'I give away the madhaha cds for religious reasons; as a gift to my fans and for those people who enjoy listening to madhaha during the fasting month'...[more] Dhon Keyothi struggles, but the women close in The Iruvai Journey Part 3 'The ladies get permission from the man's wife before taking him to the shower. Unfortunately and fortunately, I am unmarried... and looking, by the way'...[more] Arrest update Businessman released Hassan Zahir was released on 2 April, after several days of interrogation. He is unharmed. Prominent Maldives businessman secretly arrested 'Businessmen in Maldives continue to be arrested, detained and interrogated as the Gayyoom regime harass all those who support the popular movement for party democracy and ministerial accountability to the Majlis'...[more] US official blesses Gayyoom, while Raa rumbles Outer atoll troubles ignored by Maldives media 'Meanwhile, an International Aid conference in Monterrey, Mexico, is highlighting crucial issues for the Maldivian aid program, and redefining the agenda for future aid distribution'...[more] Dhon Keyothi dreams The Iruvai Journey Part 2 'I climb up the railing to give the necessary orders from the safe position expected of a leader, and the crew come out of retirement completely. In moments, the fish is subdued'...[more] Mohamed Nasheed stripped of Malé Majlis seat 'The election of Nasheed to the Majlis two years ago saw this formerly docile and obedient body begin to demand the reform of President Gayyoom's autocratic and nepotistic rule'...[more] Dhon Keyothi's adventures begin The Iruvai Journey 'I am saved a lot of trouble when I don't have to jump into Kaashidhoo channel to rescue my bag'...[more] The President knows best... Nasheed sentence upheld by Maldives High Court — President Gayyoom rejects political reforms 'Observers are worried that Gayyoom's campaign to crush Nasheed and his supporters will further alienate younger Maldivians in Malé who voted Nasheed into the Majlis in the last parliamentary elections'...[more] What crimes have these children committed? 'The children face a bleak future if they are locked up behind bars from the time they are learning to walk. They need clean water and decent food. They need a clean environment, and the facilities for schooling'...[more] Graffiti attack by NSS staff 'Gayyoom, his wife and other members of the general staff were generously insulted on the NSS walls, including officers' toilets and the mess'...[more] Reader wants the full jihad Sandhaanu English translation 'might give a distorted view' 'The full force of the religious nature of his opinion is under-represented on your web-site'...[more] Malé's Doctor Razi answers 'Ask' Doctor Black & White 'With all this money you earn, do you give any away for charity?'...[more] Gayyoom's CHOGM trip ends early in Singapore Maldives President Ducks Possible Media Questions 'It was feared that Australian and New Zealand journalists covering the CHOGM would have a field day at Gayyoom's expense'...[more] Ever wondered what goes on inside that big white fort in Malé? More allegations of torture in Maldives 'Confessions are considered 'automatic' when people are taken to that cell'...[more] The President spoke for only 15 minutes at the opening of the first session of the Maldives Majlis, but our commentator found a lot to complain about. Gayyoom fooling the nation? 'He blamed Osama for the decline in tourist arrivals and the economic slow-down. The truth is that the Maldivian economy has been in turmoil for the past 5 years'...[more] Popular reformer returns from exile for appeal hearing Mohamed Nasheed back in Malé but under house arrest 'Restrictions of this severity are only used for political prisoners'...[more] Book Review The Maldives Islanders - a study of the popular culture of an ancient ocean kingdom 'The small Maldivian intelligentsia has often imitated the cultural traditions of Arabia. Their views were most strongly represented among Maldivian judges and magistrates, particularly in the capital island Malé. But the Maldivian royal court and island people usually defined these Islamic traditions in their own idiosyncratic way, preferring to blend them with uniquely Maldivian customs and beliefs'...[more] Wave of political arrests and imprisonments in Malé prompts Amnesty International campaign Fear for Safety / Fear of Torture or ill-treatment - Republic of Maldives 'Mohamed Zaki currently resides in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. While he was in Malé, at the time of his arrest, Malaysian police reportedly searched his home and took away his computer. One of his sons was reportedly arrested by the Malaysian police without a warrant and taken for questioning, but was released on bail 24 hours later'...[unedited (photo added) Amnesty International campaign report] Why is the Maldives Culture website banned in Maldives? Maldives Culture's most popular articles in 2001 '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'...[more] Fake articles and websites Our site is now called Maldives Culture, matching our url/internet address. The internet address of the authentic Maldives Culture is www.maldivesculture.com Our mirror sites, designed to bypass Maldivian government censorship, are direct copies of www.maldivesculture.com only. Readers of our mirror sites in Maldives are advised to get a trusted overseas friend to check www.maldivesculture.com to ensure they are reading authentic articles. Editors News Archive: November 2001- January 2002 top

Real Maldives History @ Majid's History Pages English language Malé magazine Always updating alt.culture.maldives Maldives articles and stories from the internet Haveeru online news from Malé and the atollsEnglish   Dhivehi Women in the Maldives - from matriarchy to an Islamic state Excellent graphic design and content at this Austrian Maldives Link site Special Report President Gayyoom Family and Friends Comment from Maldivians and foreign observers On their way to the big game Football in Maldives Maldives Football News Maldives National Museum Huvaas Dhivehi Magazine Thaana Fonts Windows fonts Windows, Linux & Unix fonts Pack1 Windows, Linux & Unix fonts Pack2 Pack1.tar.gz Pack2.tar.gz Pack1.tar.bz2 Pack2.tar.bz2 Top South Asia News Sites Tehelka.com BBC South Asia Nepalnews.com Himal Lanka Academic Dawn The Daily Star Middle East Times Frontline Maldivian Internet Task Force Special Link The raivaru poetry of Maldivian poet Abdul Rasheed Reefs of Maldives Maldivian Recipes Maldives Environment links Maldives-based links Ali Rameez Dhivehi music 2 full-length free mp3s Dandana Band Fua Mulaku mp3 samples and videos Maldives Yellow Pages Thaana font Email .mv Maldivian internet domains Maldives Map British-based VSO Maldives report Internet Encyclopedia Maps and Graphics of the World Lanka Academic Network Amnesty International Reports on Maldives 1997 1998 Elections 2000 Dhivehi thaana script on-line beginner's guide Islamic-Christian date converter United Nations Development Programme in Maldives

Maldives Culture is an independent internet magazine of Maldivian cultural issues.
Editors and translators: Michael O'Shea and Fareesha Abdullah, Australia
We invite contributions from Maldivians and others interested in Maldives.
Contributions and comments - moshea@metz.une.edu.au