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The Maldives' reliance on one major industry has undoubtedly accelerated its recognition of the threat jihadists pose to its existence. Larger countries with more diversified economies should also note the measures this Muslim-majority country has taken to protect itself: Are the Maldivians a bunch of Islamophobes? "Maldives cracks down on Islamic extremism," by Amal Jayasinghe for Agence France-Presse:
MALE (AFP) - The Maldives unveiled tough measures to combat Islamic extremism and protect its vital luxury tourism industry after an unprecedented bombing wounded British, Japanese and Chinese holiday makers.
An order from President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom said fundamentalists should not be allowed to conduct religious services and that foreign clerics should not be able to enter the country without special permission.
The decree, which also outlaws head-to-toe covering for women, comes in the wake of a bombing on September 29 which wounded two Britons, two Japanese and eight Chinese tourists visiting a park in the island capital of Male.
The bombing has unsettled the Maldives, a nation of 330,000 Sunni Muslims who have been practising a liberal form of the religion and built South Asia's most successful economy with the region's most exotic and upmarket destination.
[...]
Officials said Gayoom's order underlined a desire to stem fundamentalism that could undermine the tiny atoll nation's status as one of the world's top destinations for well-heeled tourists.
"The president addressed letters to the ministries of education and higher education and the Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs outlining the measures to curb religious extremism," the government said in a statement.
But the opposition Adhaalath Party said banning the full covering and the full veil for women could not stop "terrorism."
"The government is going to fight terrorism by banning the beard and the burka," Adhaalath party leader Abdul Majeed Abdul Baari told AFP. "We are asking the government to study the causes of terrorism and extremism.
"Economic conditions also form part of the problem, but the main issue is the ideological differences and we need to address them."
Indeed.
Under the tough new measures, the government will also not recognise educational qualifications obtained from madrassas, or Islamic seminaries.
Maldivian authorities are holding more than 50 people suspected of links to a radical Islamic sect in connection with September's bombing.
Authorities are concerned that a small but growing number of youngsters are being drawn to religious extremism with some educated in radical forms of their religion in Pakistan.
Women enjoy equal status in education and jobs in the Maldives, but more of them have been covering their faces in recent years.
The punishment for those who continue to wear the head-to-toe covering was not specified, but officials said those who violate the decree are initially expected to be warned and that tougher action could follow.
Former education minister Mohamed Zahir Hussain said a minority of people believed that tourism was against Islam and were keen to disrupt the mainstay of the economy.
Posted by Marisol at October 18, 2007 12:46 AM
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Everything Islam appears to touch, it adulterates. This is as much of a sure bet as the Sun rising tomorrow.
Unfortunately, all too true, about Islam that is, not the Sun.
Posted by: awake![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.jihadwatch.org/nav-commenters.gif)
at October 18, 2007 1:00 AM
It will come to pass that America will have to adopt some of these same measures...
Posted by: duh_swami at October 18, 2007 2:16 AM
A handy little article for when similar measures in western countries are proposed.
Posted by: Brett_McS at October 18, 2007 2:30 AM
But the opposition Adhaalath Party said banning the full covering and the full veil for women could not stop "terrorism."Maybe not, but it WILL help to stop the downward spiral of Maldives into a 7th-century cesspool of death-cult zombies who shun modern economy and human rights for subjugation of women and supression of free thought. Perhaps Europe could take notes here... no chance CAIR will report this. Posted by: Xero G
at October 18, 2007 2:43 AM
Again there is the mention of economic conditions as a cause of terrorism, in a country of well to do people...
Islam cannot accept even the solidest proof of its wretchedness.
The Maldivian govt. has done well. India's neighbour, but much ahead of India in tackling terrorism..
Posted by: proud-hindu at October 18, 2007 4:06 AM
Why doesn't the Maldives just pay off the crazies like all of the other muslim nations? Because maybe they ARE and this is just window dressing, that's why!
Posted by: Bingo at October 18, 2007 5:23 AM
I hope this is a good sign that works like Mr. Spencer's that expose the true nature of Islam is working. Now, if only more of the world would heed and act accordingly.
Next week's Islamo-Fascisim Awareness Week is also a aimilarly good sign. I hope it meets big success.
As sites like this show, Islam is a fake religion, produced by someone after his own lusts. The Quran must also be exposed for what it is: simply a collection of words made by Muhammad with absolutely no divine intervention. The Quran invites its own insults and it should definitely get it.
Posted by: Gerry at October 18, 2007 5:34 AM
""The government is going to fight terrorism by banning the beard and the burka," Adhaalath party leader Abdul Majeed Abdul Baari told AFP. "We are asking the government to study the causes of terrorism and extremism."
....perhaps they have studied the causes of terrorism and extremism....one of the things discovered was that the presence of beards and burkas are often near the site of the terror incident...
...oh, this dot goes here, this dot goes here, this dot goes here........
Posted by: exsgtbrown at October 18, 2007 6:15 AM
Former education minister Mohamed Zahir Hussain "said a minority of people believed that tourism was against Islam and were keen to disrupt the mainstay of the economy."
That "minority" can do a lot of damage to the country's reputation and financial stability. Those true, pure genuine muslims just can't stand have a thriving economy and peaceful conditions for the locals and tourists, that's just not ISLAMIC.
at October 18, 2007 7:41 AM
"Mohamed Zahir Hussain said a minority of people believed that tourism was against Islam..."
-- from the article above
No, not "tourism." The tourists. They are Infidels. They don't behave as Muslims who take their Islam seriously think they should behave. It is not merely their dress, the easygoing and equal relations between Infidels of both sexes. It is the fact that those Infidels behave as if they have a right to their own existence, and own ways, without kowtowing to Muslims, without showiing that they understand, with every fiber of their being, that they are inferior to Muslims, and should know their place. That is what rankles and infuriates. Not an abstraction called "tourism." "Tourism" is only the mechanism that brings Infidels to the Maldives, and allows Muslims to see them. Those who take their Islam seriously will offer only hostility. Others will chose to mask or ignore or overcome that inculcated hostility, because they need the tourist dollars -- but that does not make them genuinely "friendly" to the non-Muslims. How could they be?
It's a question between keeping the hostility hidden in your heart and showing it, in the by-now well-known Muslim way, with an explosion, or two, or three.
Why take a chance? Are their no other sandy beaches or balmy bays or palmy days to be found anywhere else? How high must the level of hedonism be to risk one's life while having a good time? Worth it?
Posted by: Hugh at October 18, 2007 8:02 AM
"No, not "tourism." The tourists. They are Infidels...."
.......ha.........but true...
at October 18, 2007 8:21 AM
"The government is going to fight terrorism by banning the beard and the burka," Adhaalath party leader Abdul Majeed Abdul Baari told AFP. "We are asking the government to study the causes of terrorism and extremism."
Be careful, Abdul. If the government does that, it will just ban Islam altogether. Of course, that's a great idea, but I don't think that's what Abdul wants.
at October 18, 2007 8:23 AM
Maldives is just as intolerant as Saudi Arabia
Kafir tourists are searched for bibles, hindu books, etc
Posted by: Shyamsunder at October 18, 2007 8:30 AM
"It will come to pass that America will have to adopt some of these same measures...
Posted by: duh_swami "
...start now...ban Muslim Immigration...
at October 18, 2007 9:00 AM
Good luck.
They better hire Robert as a consultant.
Unless they act effectively, they can kiss their ass goodbye.
Maybe they can send a diplomatic mission to the Saudi 'princes' to thank them for their current good fortune in being bombed.
(a diplomatic mission, not an assassination squad)
Posted by: dgene at October 18, 2007 9:07 AM
Not only America, but all countries will have to adopt such measures if they hope to survive.
Posted by: Christian at October 18, 2007 9:49 AM
OT , but...
"The United Nations on Thursday officially launches "International Year of the Potato 2008,..."
...how about launching "International Year for Non VIolence"....or something like that...
Posted by: exsgtbrown at October 18, 2007 9:50 AM
Just a method of keeping a "good face" on things until enough tourist dollars have been gathered-in to fund the true Jihad?
Best to vacation where Islam isn't.
Posted by: profitsbeard at October 18, 2007 9:57 AM
Best to vacation where Islam isn't. Posted by: profitsbeard at October 18, 2007 9:57 AM
I'd be hard pressed to think of a place to vacation where islam isn't. Even Iceland has an islamic population.
at October 18, 2007 10:00 AM
Terrorists don't have to look like "Muslims" They have permission to play the role of infidel as long at it increases the possibility of a successful mission. Some members of the 9-11 crew went to strip-tease bars and behaved in a very infidel manner. In a place like Maldives, the beardless busboy could be the next bomb mule.
This edict is window dressing to keep the filthy kuffir coming and spending money. I predict an influx of a deadly new tourist - the tourist/terrorist. True blue Muslims cannot allow Maldives to stray away from the true path.
I see a jihad (bad moon) rising.
Posted by: Pelayo at October 18, 2007 10:23 AM
Assalamau Laikum all,
I agree that the banning the burka (and beard especially) will not stop terrorism....it is the intention in the heart that is the problem...and no amount of dressing this way or that way will really help.
In fact I think it is to keep the infedel at ease....if they don't wear the burka or sport the beard ...hey presto all is ok, they are not extreme...let's not forget what Mr. Atta was wearing!
Clearly this will not work. I think that to date we have not hit the "nail on the head" as to what are the causes to make one see the red mist of extremism.
For example I know many peoples who wear a burka or sport a beard ...and they are some of the gentlest peoples I know...they believe whole heartedly in Allah T'allah SWT and are completely passive.
I can never and will never condone a single act of violence by muslims (or any other) ...violence is simply wrong...and wrong is wrong.
Muslims simply have to learn (and in a short period of time) ...on how to conduct themselves in a rational manner....and when he/she is upset with the way kaffur behave on Hols...then this can be debated....
As an example, we Muslims, believe that unmarried womens shouldn't socialize with men outside the family, even the fathers and brothers of close friends, so in the maldives you (kaffur) should perhaps refrain from holding hands or kissing in public.
I think, when you Amerike think of Islam, your image is often of fundamentalists in faraway lands, like the maddives not the Muslims at a local mall in the Amerike or in the UK.
But remember, numbering about six million, Muslims are almost as numerous in the Amerike as Jews, with roughly half of American Muslims now born in the Amerike.
A Muslim in the United States now is twice as likely to be African-American as Arab.
Understand that a Muslim woman with a nose ring is just as Muslim as a woman in a veil.
''The Koran says, 'Let there be no compulsion in religion,' and while covering is important, it's not the most important thing. The most important thing is that you feel connected to Allah SWT.''
My own connection to Allah SWT is in the five daily prayers in Pak (when I can) that mark the passing of my day.
However when last in the UK, on Fridays, I made the connection public by attending communal prayers.
In London, after prayers, the closest restaurant was a T.G.I.F -- Thank God It's Friday. I used to laugh to myself. ''Who says it's impossible to be Muslim in the UK?''
Inside, I usually ordered a virgin daiquiri and a club sandwich: ''Hold the ham....And the bacon.''
After three weeks the man serving got to know me a little...and even had the cheek to ask me out (which I politely refused) ....I am still interested in my boots maker in Lahore...although I have made little progress on that front.
at October 18, 2007 10:59 AM
Speaking of crackdowns:
McLEAN, Va. — A private Islamic school supported by the Saudi government should be shut down until the U.S. government can ensure the school is not fostering radical Islam, a federal panel recommends.
In a report released Thursday, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom broadly criticized what it calls a lack of religious freedom in Saudi society and promotion of religious extremism at Saudi schools.
Particular criticism is leveled at the Islamic Saudi Academy, a private school serving nearly 1,000 students in grades K-12 at two campuses in northern Virginia's Fairfax County.
The commission's report says the academy hews closely to the curriculum used at Saudi schools, which they criticize for promoting hatred of and intolerance against Jews, Christians and Shiite Muslims.
"Significant concerns remain about whether what is being taught at the ISA promotes religious intolerance and may adversely affect the interests of the United States," the report states.
The commission, a creation of Congress, has no power to implement policy on its own. Instead, it makes recommendations to other agencies.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,303137,00.html
I hope the panel's recommendations are executed.
Posted by: atheling at October 18, 2007 11:01 AM
Are their no other sandy beaches or balmy bays or palmy days to be found anywhere else?
Yes, there are. But the Maldives are special. Very special.
Posted by: sheik yer'mami at October 18, 2007 11:06 AM
Time for our leaders to have a giant mug of Folger's coffee and wake the hell up already. I only hope these little stories about crackdowns can be the start of some sort of trickle down effect that'll spark a movement against this abomination that is the "Religion of Peace".
Posted by: Stinkyinfidel at October 18, 2007 11:33 AM
Hey Naseem -- I think that you and the boot maker would make a really cute pair.
Posted by: champ at October 18, 2007 11:52 AM
"As an example, we Muslims, believe that unmarried womens shouldn't socialize with men outside the family, even the fathers and brothers of close friends, so in the maldives you (kaffur) should perhaps refrain from holding hands or kissing in public.
I think, when you Amerike think of Islam, your image is often of fundamentalists in faraway lands, like the maddives not the Muslims at a local mall in the Amerike or in the UK" ~ Naseem
** Contradiction alert! **
Posted by: Rick at October 18, 2007 12:06 PM
"so in the maldives you (kaffur) should perhaps refrain from holding hands or kissing in public."
...or we could behave like Muslims and start throwing stone at each other....
at October 18, 2007 12:20 PM
...s/b stones....
Posted by: exsgtbrown at October 18, 2007 12:21 PM
Sheik, explain to this landlubber, and others what is special about the Maldives. The name sounds what a diver makes when a couple of full gainers from the 10 meter platform are screwed up.
Posted by: Pelayo at October 18, 2007 12:22 PM
"But the opposition Adhaalath Party said banning the full covering and the full veil for women could not stop "terrorism."
For a tropical resort island like the Maldives, the dress code should require a Brazilian-style bikini!
at October 18, 2007 12:41 PM
The burka-clad women can fly to Quebec and vote on it!
at October 18, 2007 12:43 PM
I know a couple of Wahabbis who would love to have a serious talk with Naseem...
Posted by: duh_swami at October 18, 2007 1:01 PM
So much of this is about controlling women, sex, and procreation. Any law against full veiling is a BLOW FOR FREEDOM.
Because any place these animals get to force veiling is a step backwards into the Dark Ages. And if it's not illegal, the extrajudicial little sharia courts functioning outside the law in all these countries just take over a woman's whole life.
Posted by: Morgaan Sinclair at October 18, 2007 1:24 PM
No, not "tourism." The tourists. They are Infidels. They don't behave as Muslims who take their Islam seriously think they should behave.
by Hugh
Tourism is a service industry. If tourism is offensive to Islam it must be because Muslims don't want to be put in the position of "serving" the infidel. Tourism means they are dependent on the infidel for their livelihood and must provide a service for the tourist. It means they have to provide for those who don't go to the mosque and who have their own social rules that have nothing to do with Islam. Those who find tourism incompatible with Islam can't understand the need to "serve" someone who doesn't believe as they do or dress as they do or think as they do.
It makes one wonder why they would accept the help of infidels after a natural disaster. Can it be good for them to see people who think Islam is a crock coming with handouts? Where is Allah? Where is Iran or another of the OPEC countries? If tourism is against Islam, then why isn't foreign aid also a no-no? Surely, in their eyes, both tourism and foreign aid put the Muslim in the position of supplicant.
Posted by: PMK at October 18, 2007 2:42 PM
If Muslims can "repress" Muslims, why can't we? The burga can be used to conceal criminals and terrorists (Is there a difference?). It is also used to discriminate against women.
If they can do it in the Maldives, why not here?
Posted by: tanstaafl at October 18, 2007 4:04 PM
Speaking of bombings...errr, I mean "internal spiritual struggles"
(I know, OT, but interesting indirectly)
Anyone see this newsflash from skynews?
http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,70131-1288892,00.html?f=rss
Bhutto homecoming...it's a blast!
at October 18, 2007 4:14 PM
....must be activities of the welcome home committee consisting of those peaceful Muslims Naseem always tells us about....
...I know we do not want these people in our neighborhoods....Ban Muslim Immigration...
at October 18, 2007 4:24 PM
...Islam ..a bang up religion....
Posted by: exsgtbrown at October 18, 2007 4:36 PM
j_not_a-
About vacationing-
Amended:
"Where Islam isn't ...ascendant."
Posted by: profitsbeard at October 18, 2007 5:36 PM
WaPo shills for Turkey:
The Islamic propaganda arm in the US goes into overdrive:
Armenian genocide never happened, was in fact a genocide by the Christian Armenians against the infidel Turks.
From the 'lets cook history' department:
* Bruce Fein is a resident scholar with the Turkish Coalition of America.
Posted by: sheik yer'mami at October 18, 2007 7:37 PM
WaPo shills for Turkey:
The Islamic propaganda arm in the US goes into overdrive:
Armenian genocide never happened, was in fact a genocide by the Christian Armenians against the infidel Turks.
From the 'lets cook history' department:
* Bruce Fein is a resident scholar with the Turkish Coalition of America.
Posted by: sheik yer'mami at October 18, 2007 7:43 PM
"The punishment for those who continue to wear the head-to-toe covering was not specified, but officials said those who violate the decree are initially expected to be warned and that tougher action could follow."
But in Saoooudi and I-run head to toe is mandatory! Whats a poor mooselem to do?
Posted by: solomonpal at October 18, 2007 7:55 PM
PMK said: It makes one wonder why they would accept the help of infidels after a natural disaster. Can it be good for them to see people who think Islam is a crock coming with handouts? Where is Allah? Where is Iran or another of the OPEC countries? If tourism is against Islam, then why isn't foreign aid also a no-no? Surely, in their eyes, both tourism and foreign aid put the Muslim in the position of supplicant.
Because foreign aid is seen as collecting the Jizyah, a tax muslims impose on their lessers who do not believe as they do, foreign aid is seen as an admission of our inferiority to islam.
mohammed Cursing Christian
Morguerat
at October 19, 2007 9:49 AM
"But in Saoooudi and I-run head to toe is mandatory! Whats a poor mooselem to do?
Posted by: solomonpal "
...stay inside, shutter the windows, close the door, have all food delivered, ....you can't watch tv as the government has confiscated the satellelite dishes and ...they control the tv programing anyway...you can't listen to music...(you face harsh punishment if the religious police catch you)...you cannot travel...too many road checks.....you cannot go to the market....those pesky radicals are causing trouble.....
...but you can read your Qur'an...after all Allah knows best.....
Posted by: exsgtbrown at October 19, 2007 10:39 AM
Maldives used to be special because of nature.
Now it is special because it is a front in this war that Muslims have declared on the free world.
at October 19, 2007 3:45 PM
Maldives gets what it deserves. Instead of building on the moderate aspects of their culture, Maldivians, spearheaded by their government, have been promoting Islam in their society for the past thirty years. The whole process has been going on without discussion. Like a cheap whore, Maldives has been shamelessly accepting Saudi and Kuwaiti funds in order to build mosques and madrassahs.
The president is a product of the radical Islamic "university" of Al-Azhar. He has no other qualification but Islamic hard-line religious studies. The political opposition is composed of even more radical Wahhabi fanatics, among them "Seyku Fareed", a cleric is the most popular.
There is no secular party, no secular opposition in the country. No Maldivian dares question Islam, despite the recent intense political struggles.
Islam reigns supreme. The Maldives is a desert for secularism and democracy. Religion has free rein and privileges there. It is a "100 %" Muslim country, like all Maldivians want to repeat.
Let no one think that the Maldives is a moderate country. It is a powder-keg poised to explode.
Posted by: rocky at October 20, 2007 12:05 AM
While I am not sure of the exact cause of Islamic terrorism, I will tell you I am sure it is not beards or burkas.
The ban creates a false issue so that the government in Maldives does not have to address any real problems or introduce any reforms. The really bad part about it is that it might cause terrorism to get worse because it makes them a poster child for anti-muslim behavior.
Posted by: Intelligent-Thoughts at October 21, 2007 7:48 PM
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