by
Ahmed Naseer - Fithuroanu Villa, Male'
It’s
good to be a part of the changing Maldives. It’s good to feel the
winds of change, as I struggle through the dessert of oppression.
I find people
less intimidated by the traditional fear psychosis, and ready to
express themselves. I hear ideas I’d never heard before. I see
smiles in faces that I thought were locked forever in the ’burgha’
of culture. September 20th, 2003 can be marked as the
day; we took a paradigm shift in our ways of interaction with each
other. Sadly, Eavan Naseem and others paid a dear price, with their
own lives. Murder, most horrible! Murder by the state. Unproved and
yet uncontested.
This is an awakening. This is when it feels like
we Maldivians have reached the crossroads, the place where we
decide, as individuals, and as a community.
Never again, shall we as Maldivians be drawn into
Idol worship. Never again shall we Maldivians allow an individual to
take over our whole life. Never again shall Maldivians be enslaved
by one family or one group of treacherous minds.
We shall conquer doubt, fear, hesitation and
ambiguity. We, as true Maldivians shall cross the seas with courage
and determination. No dictator or evil spirit shall gain our lives.
For, our lives are our own. Our destiny as a nation, we together
shall decide. We shall reap all the benefits of civilization so that
our daughters and sons build a meaningful life.
Remember! Never again shall we Maldivians torture
one another or be a party to torture. Humans are born equal, with
equal opportunities to prosper. As humans, we must respect the
inalienable rights that we are gifted with.
Let there be light, joy, and the urge to seek
happiness.
Let there be freedom.
