Monday, May 4, 2009

Vandalizing tombstones


The wanton destruction of historic tombstones in Hukuru Misky compound on Friday night is shocking beyond words. Who would want to vandalize these last vestiges of our glorious past, and why?

As usual the index of suspicion has been directed at drug addicts. But why on earth would they do a thing like this? They have absolutely no motive, unless of course someone paid them for it, which again raises the question as to who made the payment. From the scale of the destruction it is pretty obvious that this was no random mischief committed by intoxicated youngsters.

If the vandalism was preplanned, then who planned it? There is certainly no dearth of groups in the Maldives who believe tombstones must be destroyed. But as there are ongoing investigations, it may be out of place here to speculate about possible culprits.

Apart from a few mosque inscriptions and copper plates, tombstones in various parts of the Maldives are the only material evidence available on Maldivian history. The most important collections of tombstones are in Hukuru Misky and Koagannu in Meedhoo, Addu Atoll (see picture above). A large number of tombstones in Koagannu were vandalized in the recent past based on a superstition that if one breaks a tombstone one could commit Quran to memory.

Whoever did the destruction and whatever the reason, the act must be condemned in the strongest terms and the perpetrators brought to justice.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

This could also be the work of druggies. don't rule that possibility out.

Anonymous said...

Dear Waheed

I enjoy visiting your blog and your thoughts on issues of import to all of us, have been very enlightening. Keep up the good work.

The vandalism of the tombstones in Hukuru Miskiy is likely to be inspired by the fanatics who have been to peripheries of Madras in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. Apparently, these half baked morons feel that placing a tombstone is "bidua", a pagan practice that predates history!These so called Sheikhs of Adalat Party appears on TV and bashes the courageous people who were instrumental in bringing about Islam to this country, why? just because they were either burried in Medhuziyaaraiy!!! Now I heard one of those chaps saying "kommeves nabee beykalekey kiyaameehaku medhuziyaarathugai otheema ey kiyaafa; e thanah dhaakah nujeheyoa...!!! Now this particular guy is known for performing dramatic sermons and hypes the emotion of those who listen to the guys utterings without a rational mind!!!

Anonymous said...

Vandalizing the tombstones was a planned act to divert attention to the recent demonstrations against Anni in Gemanafushi and Hangnca Meedhoo. This is to keep the big headlines away from these failures. This was done on advice from the British Conservative party strategists to keep negative headlines against Anni these few days before the elections.

Anonymous said...

@ Anon 1.20-- Your theory that it was done to divert attention away from Anni's issues is very far-fetched. Very difficult to believe. Of course he has many problems because of the incompetent people he has kept around him. but that is another issue.

moyameehaa said...

maybe its an act of an extreme wahhaabees. theyve stolen thasbeeha fathi and dhua books from mosques because they are bidhua. and mohamed bin abdul wahhaab is known for breaking down ziyaarais in mecca after his followers took control of it with violence. most wahhabis wont mind these ones, because no one consider these holy (unlike medhu ziyaarai..and some other ziyaarais in islands througj which some maldivians still do tawassul, and nadhuru)...but there are extreme extremists who could have done this.

im not accusing anyone. just what i think is most probable.

then again.. paateys may also do it.. just for the fun of it. there are half paatey,half haabee hybrids also.hehe.

Anonymous said...

Some people(professional grave robbers from UK, I believe ) were told possibly by Anni that lots of gold and other valuables were buried with the Sultans and other nobility in olden times at Hukuru Miskiy grave yard. Hence...

Anonymous said...

This was a plot to extort money from the descendants . Drug related extortion.

Anonymous said...

Old Bari(Head Priest)ordered the vandalism.

Anonymous said...

Nothing sinister.Some kids were playing hide and seek among the tomb stones and accidentally knocked a few of them Maybe they were high. Doesn't really matter. The tombstones have no relevance to the one blow. President Nasir rearranged the stones all straight and aligned. In the process the stones parted company with their 'owners'.lol.

Anonymous said...

"BODU GERITHAH THALAHYYA KANGALLAH BAARUKURAANE".