Yesterday, in the country that I once belonged to, just by a press of a button, I was made stateless.
All right, that's not quite true but før argument's sake, let us claim that I am a not a Muslim - it does not matter whether I am a Buddhist, Christian, atheist or even a devil worshipper. But I was born in the Maldives of Maldivian parents. So the new constitution when it comes into force would make me stateless right?
According to it the new constitution that is being drafted..
(A) The following persons are citizens of the Maldives:
1-Citizens of the Maldives at the commencement of this constitution
2-Children born to a citizen of the Maldives; and
3-Foreigners who, in accordance to the law becomes citizens of the Maldives.
(B) The citizenship of Maldives cannot be taken away from a citizen of Maldives.
(C) Any person who wishes to renounce the citizenship, can do so in accordance with the law.
(D) even if (A) of this article states so, none except a Muslim can become a citizen of Maldives
So how do they find out if a person was a Muslim? What is the proof? By virtue of them having a so-called Muslim name? I have several Lebanese friends who have so-called "Muslim names" but belong to a variety of religious beliefs..Druze, Christian, etc. So that is not a very good option is it? Just because someone is called Hassan or Fathimath does not make him/her a Muslim. Back to the drawing board...Will all Maldivians be given a test to determine if we were Muslims or not? But even that is no proof of Islam because anyone belonging to any other religion can study for it and pass. Hmm, no good at all.
The new constitution will also state that the citizenship cannot be taken away from a citizen of Maldives...so if I convert to Taoism..they cannot take my citizenship yet I am not a Maldivian by virtue of not being Muslim. WOW! What a paradox. It would be like hanging forever in limbo (or in Islamic terms walking forever on the Siraathumagu and not quite getting to heaven or hell?). Or perhaps it would be a bit like being caught in a blackhole..you are neither inside it nor outside it. Hmm, exciting.
Why is everyone so scared to admit it? Why are all of us in denial? Why do we need to live in a permanent delusionary state and claim that Maldives is 100% Muslim? Wake up you fools. Maldives is not even close to being a 100% Muslim country. We have amidst us people who follow all sorts of faiths as well as plenty of atheists. There is no way you can force them to believe in something that they don't want to. If you are Muslim and truly believe in Allah, would someone else be able to convince you to change your mind and worship the devil? Nah! They wouldnt. The same way if someone truly followed Buddha or Jesus or Bill Gates...they are not going to change their minds either. So just because your next door neighbour worships the Devil, does it make you less of a Muslim? Does it make you doubt your religion? If you could truly answer that question by saying "NO, it does not", then why are you so fearful of admitting that there are Maldivians who follow other religions?
As a Muslim I can truly claim that in an ideal world, I would love if all of us were Muslims and go to heaven. But then Allah SWT did not create an ideal world according to my vision....He created a hell and he also created other religions..and he also created people who do not believe there is a god. So why are we trying to do one better than him and try to create a Maldives where other religions do not exist?
There is only one answer to all these questions.. Golhabo definitely believes he IS God.
Oh and one more thing, all those of you who have always wanted to get out of Maldives and wanted live in freedom and cannot do so, now is the time to apply for asylum on the basis that you cannot practice your religion. It does not matter even if you are a Muslim. This is your chance to get out of Maldives. Claim that you are a Buddhist, Hindu, anything....apply for asylum in a country which respects freedom of religions. If you do get lucky, remember, Islam is supposed to be a religion of tolerance. Respect the rights of others to practice their faiths and do not try and impose your own beliefs on others. TOLERANCE is the key word here. Got it? If you cant, then just go back and worship Golhabo.
