25/04/2012

Restiveness of a deposed president

The deposed president of Maldives Mohammed Nasheed is very much restive about regaining his lost power; he wants that after having dismissed the present government his government be formed as soon as possible, and in this process the world powers particularly India help him. If it is not done, “wrong” elements would take control of the Maldives. He is on a tour of foreign countries for this purpose. He was in New Delhi in the third week of April. This Mohammed Nasheed is the same person who having seen public agitation on some issue had handed over his power to his deputy Mohammed Waheed Hassan in a pleasant manner on Feb 7 and had won everyone’s heart by issuing a proper statement on that occasion. He had said: “I don’t want that my country falls into the grip of chaos due to my staying on in power.” No sooner had this statement of Nasheed been eulogized all over the world including India and made soft corner for him in the hearts of the people of the Maldives than Nasheed came out as agitation incarnate within 24 hours of making this statement. He said: “This is a coup against me.”  Thereafter his drive became faster and faster. Now, while in New Delhi, he is complaining that neighbouring countries did not take notice of this event, nor did even India, to whom he pins his hopes most, not help him.

“Islamic fundamentalism” is the biggest “threat”The Maldives is a small Muslim country consisting of many islands in the Indian Ocean. The change of guard over there was satisfactory and pleasant from Muslim point of view because it got into effect quite peacefully; otherwise the Muslim world is ill-known for violence and bloodshed in this matter. That Mohammed Nasheed is trying to win the support of international leadership is nothing wrong; he must do it. But the foremost of the issues he is raising in this process is that of “Islamic fundamentalism”. To him, the biggest threat to his country is from it. He says that hard-core Islamic elements are gaining roots in the Maldives; they hold a very tight grip on government agencies. These elements are against “modern Islam” and Sufism, and want strict Shari’ah laws implemented in the country. Had they not been stopped now, this work would be very difficult later on. Also, while talking to the correspondents of The Times of India and The Hindu in New Delhi, he said: “The strength of radical Islamists within Maldives is rising. In fact, the country has become another Pakistan right now.” [The Times of India, Apr 19 and The Hindu, Apr 20]. It is but natural that this is a favourite food for the Government of India, its agencies, political pundits and the media.

This restiveness will prove dear
Perhaps Mohammed Nasheed is in know quite well of the din and bustle raised in India on the Feb 7 development. Partly he himself is of the same mentality and partly he is aware of the leaning of the ruling class here and its likes or weaknesses. He hopes that he would be able to prompt the Government of India easily and then would get support from America as well. The Government of India would complain to Washington that “in our neighbourhood the ‘Islamic fundamentalism’ which you are at war with all over the world is gaining roots, so help us”. This government would also give a call to its close friend Israel for providing modern arms and weapons and experts; then the Islam-loving groups in the Maldives would not stand this aggression. --- If Mohammed Nasheed has severed his relations with Islamic Shari’ah and the Muslim Ummah totally then it is another matter; otherwise he ought to speak on this sensitive and delicate issue only after much thinking. This restiveness for power would prove very dear to him also. In this world every country, every nation has its own agenda. And every country supports or opposes another country in accordance with its agenda.
25/04/12 khabar-O-Nazar by Parwaaz Rahmani, sehrozaDAWAT, translated by: Abu Yusuf

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