An invisible war is being waged against the Maldives’ nationalism, claimed Minister of Home Affairs Umar Naseer when commemorating Martyr’s Day last Thursday (May 29).
“We are under attack even today, at this very moment, and this minute and second – but in a different way. Today the targets are our thinking, creed, the good views we hold of our nation – the love for the nation, the respect for national history.”
“Today there are great efforts destroy these. This is an invisible war, weapons that cannot be touched,” said Naseer during an event held at the Olympus Theater in Malé.
Martyr’s day has been officially commemorated since 1979, in remembrance of Sultan Ali VI – commonly known as Ali Rasgefaanu – who is said to have died fighting Portuguese invaders in 1558.
The occasion was also observed by the police service, with the controversial Sheikh Adam Shameem Ibrahim advising officers of the importance of martyrdom in Islam.
Additionally, Foreign Minister Dunya Maumoon warned of attempts by outside actors to enslave the nations politically and economically.
Beware of hidden enemies: home minister
The four pillars on which the Maldives stands are the Dhivehi language, Islam, the Dhivehi culture, and independence said the home minister.
Naseer stated that the foundation of Maldivian culture was Islam alongside social values such as respecting elders and women, and showing kindness towards one another.
Naseer requested people be vigilant of anyone who “casts a gaze filled with hatred” towards national properties, land, religion, and peace.
“Today we will have to face such experiences within the Maldives and from abroad. This is today’s war. You will not be martyred in this war, instead you will face death. Thinking and ideologies will be corrupted. The result would be unhappiness in both worlds,” said Naseer.
The home minister’s sentiments were also reflected in Foreign Minister Dunya Maumoon’s statements on the occasion.
Recalling the sacrifices of various national heroes Dunya said that today’s globalised attacks were not waged with guns.
“In today’s world, most of the time we are uncertain about how or from where the enemies attack [us]. Attacks indented to enslave [us] come in many different forms,” said Dunya.
“In today’s world, instead of colonisation countries are being enslaved economically and politically.”
Asking whether a nation dependent on others for its basic needs can be considered independent, Dunya noted the importance of an economically independent Maldives that can protect its religion and identity.
Police commemoration
The Maldives Police Service also held a special parade at Iskandar Koshi on Thursday in order to mark the day.
Chief Guest at the ceremony, attended by Commissioner of Police Hussain Waheed and Deputy Commissioner of Police Ahmed Saudi, was the controversial preacher Sheikh Adam Shameem Ibrahim.
Addressing the police parade, Sheikh Shameem said police officers should always posses the will to be martyred in defending the people and the nation.
Remarking that the country was passed onto the present generation with the hard work of Mujahidin who were martyred in defending Islam and the nation, the sheikh explained the high regard for martyrdom in Islam.
Shameem has recently prayed for the acceptance of the martyrdom of Maldivians killed in the Syrian civil war, stating that anyone who fights to glorify Islam against disbelievers are Mujahideen (Holy warriors).
He also said on his Facebook page that Nusayri (Shiah Muslims) of Syria are disbelievers “worse than Christians and Jews”.
Sheikh Shameem first came to public attention following his ‘mega-lecture’ ‘Andalus‘, during the 2013 presidential elections.
Live broadcasts of this lecture were interrupted by authorities for violating state broadcaster’s guideline, while the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party condemned the lecture accusing Shameem of inciting hatred in order to sway the electorate.
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Tawaghut such as Umar Naseer should not be preaching about martyrdom to anyone. least of all the dogs of the Tawaghut known more commonly as MNDF and MPS.
I am saddened by an esteemed scholar such as Sheikh Adam Shameem associating with the Tawaghut. May his prayers for our brothers martyred in Syria be accepted. Wallahu A'lam
Are you afraid, Umar Naseer?
Now you know, there are people your pathetic thugs can't beat up.
We can’t celebrate the death of mythical figures claimed died fighting to protect our faith. If it was to protect against aggressor who violated our rights of existence as human being and if someone sacrificed to such cause, we could whole heartedly celebrate such martyrs. In our history no one has been recorded who had a cause for the betterment and wellbeing of Dhivehi people as a nation and prosperous people. Dhivehi people lived along with cruel Mother Nature, without any hero’s guidance or sacrifices to overcome the hardship we faced in these inhospitable tiny sand dunes, our forefathers suffered from the cruel Mother Nature, and the cruelties of some rouge people claimed to be our leaders did aggravate the suffering of our forefather even more. People were caged in those Islands and were not allowed to travel, trade, and purchase or own any things that were considered the privileges of unroyal, unholy royals. Under the leadership of those unholy royals, Dhivehi people have been corrupted to the very core of their being. NO prosperous people with flourishing culture of love care and respect to fellow creed. Even today there is discriminatory attitude in every category of people; the money man to ordinary man, great Islanders to the inferior islanders, certified to less fortunate who can’t afford to achieve certificates.
If you want be good leaders just stop hailing dead unholy royals and try to do something new that could give Dhivehi people some hope to live in these tiny sand dunes.
This guy still wants to suppress and oppress dhivehi people.
Why is it that the moment you use your brains, you are stepping outside the religion?
There is a long way to go before people of Mordis can think for themselves and start making plans best for them and nation.
Naseer stated that the foundation of Maldivian culture was Islam alongside social values such as respecting elders and women, and showing kindness towards one another.
Uh what? The kindness you show to your Muslim brothers from Bangladesh? And I'm a bit confused about what is classified as respecting women. Telling them to cover up and stay at home where it's "safe". The home where uncles, brothers, cousins and fathers can do whatever they please with their "consenting" women of age 10.
Why is it so difficult to live and let live? Why do we need to belittle other faiths in order to feel good about Islam? Islam is a religion of peace and mercy, that encourages tolerance and respect for people of different faiths, it does not ask to us condemn and humiliate people from other religions. What are we trying to do?
Ah the story of foreign threats continues. I thought they would drop it after the elections. Will they also repeat the fairy tale about oil in the Maldives?
One thing is right though.. There is a war to be fought: the war against corruption, the war against abuse and exploitation; the war against people (politicians) who abuse religion as tool for their own cause, the war against religious extremism.
just please go umar. we hate you
Umar can see invisible things? Is he Osment from THE SIXTH SENSE who can see dead people, too?