Maldivian Identity

March 1, 2009

Many are wondering what identifies Maldivians. We have been saying that we are identified and kept together by our religion of Islam and our language Dhivehi and most of the time we are contented with this statement. However the importance and urgency to intellectually explore this concept of Maldivian Identity further is felt more recently than any other times in our past. Some say they are ashamed and some say we are proud to be identified as Maldivians. How much closer are Maldivians as a single group of people, and is the requirement of being a Maldivian only the citizenship granted through the Constitution?

There are certain identifying factors but also, ingrained and dividing features in Maldivians. They include belonging to certain regions, speaking different dialects, customs, temperament, physical appearances, food habits etc. These differences are due to historical reasons and should not create divisions nor discourage all of us been identified as Maldivians. This is a diversity we should be proud of. In some countries such differences within are represented as different nations or regions having national or regional Governments, most of us been familiar with these in case of United Kingdom and Republic of India.

The differences or diversity in a State gives richness to the whole society such as the case in Maldives. In some instances when the differences are not respected or entertained, it leads to conflicts within a country. Some political, economic and social practices can encourage and create conflicts especially when individuals or group of people’s rights given in the Constitution are violated.

Maldivians have an identity by Islamic faith, location in the Indian Ocean, Official Dhivehi Language, Island and mixed cultures of ancestors, being good seafarers etc. We are proud to represent the Maldivian Identity as simple, honest, hardworking, skillful, and courageous and an upright people. We are ashamed to be represented by recently developed culture of corruption, violence, low morality created by undemocratic and selfish politics. The Maldivian identity in short is the flag which stands for courage, peace and God given Faith.