A Believer Speaks Up

We may not all agree over religion. But readers may agree on this: We want a free country with liberty and justice for all.

Some say that Maldives is a 100% Muslim nation. If this were so, may not there be an Islamic paradise here? Instead Muslims are fighting Muslims and have turned certain islands into a living hell. Police encourage paateys to intimidate and injure innocent people. Torture and imprisonment of the innocent are common. To what fine religion do mosque thieves belong? Or the prostitutes of Male' - what holy book adorns their poverty? Can it be that one out of ten Maldivian Muslims are drug addicts?

America's secret to preserve liberty is simply this: They respect the differing opinions and beliefs of their neighbours. Maldives is not 100% bigotry or totalitarian and never will be. Proof of this are courageous dissident groups like the Dhivehi Observer and Minivan Radio.

Many of you are aware of the underground Christian church. As in communist China, they meet secretly for fear of repression. Some readers remember the Fuvamulah family that boldly adopted a Christian surname. Pakistani Christians often adopt Maseeh.

Others may recall the persecution by the NSS. In 1999 believers in Male' were tortured and forced to flee from their homeland. The Dhivehi Christian website in Singapore www.sidahitun.com is living evidence. /Maldives.htm carries Dhivehi literature and music. Along with the Dhivehi Observer, they have been cruelly censored by Dhiraagu. Surf all these websites safely by using a proxy server. Dhivehi Christian Radio broadcasts Wed-Fri-Sat 9pm Maldives time at 7340 Khz.

I'm sure that Nabi Mohamed would agree with Nabi Eesaa al Maseeha to "love your neighbour as yourself".

Believer