Destiny is a concept we leave to a higher power and take
leaps of faith in our lives. As well we believe in cycles of destiny we travel
in. What you believe is the reality for you. The human race has been practicing
beliefs for ages. All the followers say that they are fearful of a god they
visualize as their version of God. No one party was wrong as far has “humanity”
is concerned. We hear the Hadith’s of PBUH Mohamed SAW has prophesized that
Islam is a religion which is suitable for anytime. Which means Islam is the most modern religion
at all times. My question is that what we are doing wrong? We do not see the
modernism in the Maldives. Rather all of a sudden we have groups who want
Maldives to have multiple religions.
I would argue on few points which I feel why. Why people
have voiced on the needs of multiple religions?
First of all base culture as Islam has been imposed on
Maldivians on a bare minimum level. Means we did not know the religion
properly. To understand the faith we need to know what it’s all about. But five
times prayer and recitation of Holy Quran was what we were taught to practice.
The truth is most of the people do not know the literal meaning of what we were
have been reciting up until very late. Two reasons for that one the limitation
of literacy up until late 80’s. Next is the limitation knowledge combined with
wisdom to connect what it means?
Therefore we wanted scholars of Islam. The need of Muslim
scholars was initiated when President Maumoon established “Mauhad A’h Dhirasaathul
Islamiya”. As usual people are restless to get educated, many left abroad to
get Islamic education. Maldivian Islamic scholars were educated from multiple
sects. This resulted with multiple conflicts in our community’s belief system. The
conflicts were not found much within the duration of President Maumoon. This
happened because the knowledge he had and his wisdom was very thorough on Islam
and his consistent effort to unite multiple sects. Never the less, changes came
in the name of democracy.
Hippocrates who was entrusted to change system with the
process of democracy cheated for power. People such as Dr. Hassan Saeed and few
others was assigned to create bridges between the cultural differences took
sides with evil. Then along came a new modern President calling out for western
values. Some of his speeches and behavior reminded of the first President of
the Maldives. President Mohamed Amin Didi conceptually replaced in time with
President Mohamed Nasheed. This change
helped people who were searching for alternative beliefs. Along with the
technology age the changes became rapid a movement began itself. The tendency
to try different beliefs initiated like a rapid fire. The Call for change took
a new turn.
The challenge for peace today faced by Maldives is to
convince its people, that Islam is the most modern religion in the world. Now
the question is who is responsible for this job? Is it the Islamic Ministry or
the newly born “Fiqh” academy? I foresee the people who are assigned for the
purpose the newly certified “Mulla’s” are diverting their own scape of
politics. Again towards power and how much they can grab their share. This was
what my grandfather feared back in 80’s that “when Islamic Scholars becomes
politicians, the community will be in chaos”, he stated on multiple occasions.
The “Fiqh” academy is the wonderful beginning to promote the
needed psychology to people. The ideas have to be connected in modern values. The
phrasing has to be rooted to the minds that need the message. The message shall
be united the sects of Islam and connect with minds of younger generation. I
maybe am dreaming here for a goal which is less possible. I lay the challenge
for the people who are in the lead to understand if they read this.
A human brain can vibrate and evaluate the message you send to
them. Mostly we tend to deliver the message as it is. Not what it could mean.
This differentiates the feelings received. Acceptance of modern ways to promote
Islamic values is a needed base. The new means to communicate for some scholars
are the social media. I agree to social media, but the social media is the most
dangerous tool if you convey the wrong message. Your profile is blacklisted once
you state a value out of line by the modern generation. The modern Islamic sheikhs
promote their political agendas along with the religion. This was exactly what
people were running away from. The results are the new born scholars has failed
in their mission on the face of public.
I have no doubt that Islamic culture is perfect. I have
doubts on the people who say they promote Islamic culture. We need Islamic
scholars to understand the psychology of people. A psychology student expressed
her concern in the concept of Islamic Psychology class. “They talk about “war
stories of Islam”. Huh . . . ?!? Now my question is “Do you believe this?”