Words by Jumana
The dawn of a new era smiled upon decades of strife in Maldives back in the 1960s. The people were all in jitters as they enjoyed their newfound freedoms. Locals rushed to spend savings on shoes and umbrellas for they had witnessed centuries of just the royal family being allowed the honor. Women were also given the freedom to visit shops on their own and youngsters among the 6000 residents in capital Male’ spoke excitedly of the next time they can see a film at the new Olympus picturehouse.
Independence means I can rely on myself. As a woman, I am not being forced to rely on certain people such as my husband or father to take out loans or be a person within the system. I cannot even imagine what it would have been like if not like this. I’m glad
As with all occasions where a foreign power has influenced Maldives, the events that led up to the ‘resignation’ of Maldives as a British protectorate also began with political infighting and strife within the government. A game of thrones if you may.
Male’ 1950s Maldives Archives Twitter
It means the ability to make my own mistakes in my own land, around my own people
Much like Hussain IX’s betrayal cracked open the powers that be, allowing to seep in a 25 year old Portuguese stronghold in Maldives, it was the relentless thirst for power between houses Kakaage and Athireege that led to Maldives being put under a British protectorate. Both houses had been seeking British influence for matters such as undermining each other’s wealth with the presence of Borah merchants from Gujarat.
True Independence isn’t limited to this country and its borders. I believe independence means the ability to be myself in my identity such as “Muslim” in other countries as well
It was the consistent requests for foreign influence that led the British “suggesting” that Maldives sign a letter declaring it as a protectorate. The Sultan’s palace busied itself on excuses to not sign the protectorate letter and even claimed Maldives didn’t have anyone who could read or write the letter in English at one point. They say that even when Sultan Mohamed Mueenuddin was refusing to sign the letter (not a contract at this stage), guns of the British marines in the harbor were pointed directly at the Palace. It was all of course just a mild suggestion by the British – supplemented with an unspoken threat for good measure. As such, in December 1887 the Maldives started on a path to the loss of military and economic freedom.
Means freedom right? I’m proud we kept our culture and traditions. It is a big part of my identity. Like, whenever I think of who I am, despite everything, knowing I’m a Maldivian is like getting a cozy hug through time
Throughout the next 77 years, the British were seen to interfere more and more in the internal issues of Maldives, going so far as to grant safety to the leader of the seperatist state, the United Suvadive Republic (USR) in the south, Abdulla Afeef Didi without any say of the Maldivian government. It was during World War II when the British bases in the south were valuable to launch attacks from a relatively unknown territory. The freeing of the former USR leader was the last straw and then President Ibrahim Nasir initiated the arduous negotiations that would take place from the headquarters in Colombo via the diligent efforts of Abdul Sattar Moosa Didi.
I can practice my own religion in a place where I can hear the Azan (call to prayer) everywhere. Going abroad makes you realize how much you miss hearing it everywhere
The slightly blustery Monday morning around 10:00 am at the British High Commission in Colombo, Sri Lanka was when President Ibrahim Nasir held the golden fountain pen of independence and signed the contract that would grant Maldives the freedom to make its own mistakes. The “Ambassador of Independence” Abdul Sattar Moosa Didi was handed the pen by Ibrahim Nasir following the signing as a means to communicate the weight of his contributions.
After the signing of the independence of Maldives in Ceylon. Source: Ibrahim Rasheed via @ranzamaan
It means I can ride my bike in peace
Independence is a privilege and an honor. It is a privilege because we must think of those who don’t have it today. From the Rohingya, the Uyghurs and Palestinians to others who wish for the simple bouts of freedom from persecution. It is an honor because it isn’t about whether we have freedom and sovereignty, it is about what we male of what we have. Independence is a gift from the almighty as all great gifts, we must cherish and nurture it by pouring into something greater.
Independence means people can’t bother me
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