Religion and Other Matters

As those who had followed my career will know very well, religion has been something very close to my heart. Partly this is so because I was educated in a Muslim country and a lot of my education had to do with learning the various aspects of religion. But I think even after my somewhat long career as the President and despite my many public lectures and speeches on the subject, the Maldivian public seems to be extremely literal when interpreting my utterings on the subject.

Take for instance the recent saga about a Buddhist temple being constructed in a resort. Now whether this is true or not, I do not see its relevance to the integrity of the Muslim faith nor to the religious sensibilities of Maldivians.

Some might say that this is a game that I started, way back in the '70s... when I saw the potential of how it could be utilised to one's political advantage. And I guess it has backfired and now any Tom, Dick and Harry is trying to capitalise on religion as a tool for manipulating public opinion.

Anyway, I will leave you today with G-Law No. 2

G-Law No. 2

Preach the Need for Change,
But Never Reform too Much at Once

Everyone understands the need for change in the abstract, but on the day-to-day level poeple are creatures of habit. Too much innovation is traumatic, and will lead to revolt. If you are new to a position of power, or an outsider trying to build a power base, make a show of respecting the old way of doing things. If change is necessary, make it feel a gentle improvement on the past.

Another Day in Paradise...

As I was returning to Male today, I thought... despite all the hoola'hoop, I have just spent another day... and guess where, in paradise.... where thousands of tourists from all around the world like to spend thier holdiays...

* * *

Now a lot of readers might be wondering if this is the actual me who is writing this. For these skeptics, I can only request them to use their own judgements in this matter. Part of the reason why I was convinced by my son to do this is to leave my own thoughts about such a momentous moment in the history of the Maldives. Another reason is of course to share some of my experiences as the longest ruler in Asia. To this end, I will offer some advice to those who might be interested in learning from these sometimes hard-won experiences. And I will offer this advice as a series of Laws. Shall we call them, G- Laws? (I'll leave it to you to guess what the 'G' stands for...)

G-Law No. 1

Never Outshine the Master

Always make those above you feel comfortably superior. In your desire to please and impress them, do not go too far in displaying your talents or you might accomplish the opposite - inspire fear and insecurity. Make your master(s) appear more brilliant than they are and you will attain the heights of power.

(Now, those of you who have remained acute observers of the goings on in this country, might even be able to cite some examples to go with the law....)

Fake Adulation

First of all let me apologise for not being able to write for so many days after my first posting. I was a bit occupied.... as you might imagine, hehe.

The other day I was talking to one of my friends (no names... no names... hehe), and he kept telling me about the grand legacy I will be leaving behind. As recently commented by one of my arch-enemies, my weakest point seems to be that I take the adulation of some of my colleagues too seriously... when they say things like 'I am a visionary', 'I am the architect of reform' , etc. etc.

After this conversation with my friend, I decided that I shall never take flattery seriously any more... alas! it might be too late.

Gayoom's Diary

Dear Readers and my beloved countrymen and women. I am glad that finally I am able to have my own say on matters of concern. It is a pity that so much is talked about and written about myself, my colleagues and family without much truth in it. Of course there are those who promote the truth too.

Thanks to one of my sons, I now have my own blog: haha.