A Thought for Human Rights Day 2007.

"Equal Participation"
Mohamed Juman Shareef
Winner of Open Society Association Human Rights Day, Photo and Poster Competition

Situated in the Indian Ocean, this scattered pearls of land on which we live, Maldives, was described as "one of the wonders of the world" by the famous Moroccan traveller Ibn Battuta. Back then, the perceived lifestyle was quite simple and delicate. However, the conservative identity of our nation had survived over the generations and is still treasured in our hands. Our life lies on a carpet of natural beauty which is simply mesmerizing and heart grasping.

I feel it is an injustice not to highlight the stimulating thoughts and efforts of our forefathers, when the beauty of our nation is mentioned. The real beauty and victory of our nation was delivered through their sacrifices and compromises. With limited resources, but with enormous courage they had faced the reality and fought for unity. The national liberty that we relish today is their handiwork. I share my words of respect for their countless efforts and never ending memory.

Intruders affiliated with compatriots, continuously tried to abort the peace and prosperity of our nation. However, they had also continuously failed. We have succeeded so far. Having faced such circumstances, I call ourselves survivors. Obviously survival was what brought us from the birth. But our history had survived much more, and we are the descendants trusted with the responsibility of making the coming generations survive with the Maldivian identity.

Excuse me for being collectively inquisitive over a matter that could be quite controversial. But I wonder how many of us especially youth, really realize the national responsibility we hold in ourselves? Lodging our personal challenges aside, how many of us really think with a broader and a national interest? How many of us really care?

Today, our environment is threatened with deliberate violence. Sad to say, the youth today express their courage in more aggressive ways rather than being reasonable. It is becoming a very intense and a severe concern in our society. Stabbing and murder are fast becoming a frightful reality. And the hardest fact is that today, it is not any other people, but our own people gambling away our liberty and unity in an easy game.

I believe it is unfair to accuse the majority for a minority's actions. But every head has an impact on the whole nation. A little impurity in your bowl can make it whole foul. If our community split into sub-groups and engage in destroying one another, it is time for us to freeze for a moment and let our mind comprehend the scene.

A blood feud will do us no good. It will eventually kill us all in evil. It's simply a fools game to be persistent in taking giant steps to sabotage one's own home. It cannot lead or serve our nation.

The biggest challenge posed for us today is the moment we live in. There is a saying, "The action without conscience is a wild beast". It's this beast that could threaten our environment. Never let the wild beast have its way or rule. You have got a brain where you could stir the presence of mind. Real triumph lies where we think beyond the moment. Real victory lies where we look beyond the present.

Let us all welcome the real values of life and precede with wit, wisdom and insight. Let us be more passionate in sharing, caring and bearing our own species. Humanitarian values must be appreciated with justice. The belief that one man is superior and another man is inferior must be completely abolished. Equality among us must be an implemented reality. Glimmer of smiles and shine of hope must be cultivated in this land. If we all work together as one, in promoting the right perceptions and virtues, I believe that, UTOPIA is not an impossible dream. THERE, rights for all is guaranteed.

Kulshoom Ali,
10th December 2007 - International Human Rights Day.
Male' Maldives.