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| The National Museum of Maldives (Photo: Maeed) |
26th July 2013 - While some 'High National Awards' were been given out in Jumhooree Maidhaan (Republic Square) at a special ceremony to mark the Independence day in Male', there were couple of us 'Museum Lovers' (as I have been called) protesting in front of the National Museum against President Waheed's decision to host a reception for some 400 guests inside the permanent collection area of the museum. The permanent collection at the museum consists of artifacts over 1000 years old, that of the early Maldivian Civilization; sadly not well preserved, has already been moved or reshuffled in the 'Party decoration/preparation' process.
Responsibilities and duties - Article 67 of the Maldivian Constitution, says: "The exercise and enjoyment of fundamental rights and freedoms is inseparable from the performance of responsibilities and duties, and it is the responsibility of every citizen: (g) to preserve and protect the state religion of Islam, culture, language and heritage of the country;"
REVIVE, a non-government organization that works on improving arts education in the country, managed to get over 105 signatures on a petition that has been submitted to the President's Office against the decision. Staff of the Museum, Heritage Department as well as some 18 Members of Parliament include among the petitioners. The Museum staff believe the process of moving back and forth the priceless artifacts could damage the objects.
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| President of REVIVE Naufal leading the protest (Photo: Maeed) |
Ahmed Naufal, President of the NGO has also taken the case to court where the Attorney Generals office confirmed to the judge that the preparation for the reception is already complete making it unnecessary for the court to rule a temporary court order to stop any activity within museum premises.
A staff from the museum confirmed that a memo was sent to authorities by the Museum Director, saying that, the museum cannot be responsible for any damages that may take place during the reception or while at preparing and decoration stage. It seems the items that were moved were handled by authorities that were hosting the reception and not staff of the museum.
I attended the protest that was held by REVIVE; Protest to Save National Heritage, to show my support to the cause. While there with other 'Museum Lovers', a catering vehicle (lorry) was trying to enter the museum through the main gates, reacting naturally protesters blocked the main entrance of the museum (Chandhanee Magu), making it impossible for the vehicle to enter. There were much commotion at the gates, one incident where a person who appears to be from the catering services, bad mouthed and threatened to slap Suha Shuaib (a Board Member of REVIVE) on the face. For all that's worth this happened on Police watch.
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| Old man listens to protesters demands (Photo: Maeed) |
Police were present in the area cordoning roads leading to Jumhooree Midhaan, as security measures for the ceremony, this meant that no persons or vehicles were allowed to enter cordoned roads.
After awhile, the vehicle moved away from the main gates and headed towards the back entrance. It was strange to see that the vehicle received special treatment from Police as it was granted a 'go pass' from the cordoned road, Lily Magu, the one left of the museum. Myself and Naufal immediately ran towards the back entrance, and I sat on the road making myself an obstacle for the vehicle to enter. In few seconds around 7-8 Policemen were active in the scene and I was approached by Special Operation Uniformed (no riot gear) officers who told me that they will have to remove me from the area if I do not obey their command, and that I can be arrested for disobeying a direct orders. They told me that the road is cordoned and I have broken Police lines, I asked them how come the vehicle was not stopped and on what grounds were it allowed inside a Police cordoned area? To which a Policeman answered that they were given the command to let it pass. I asked them who gave the command? He replied "From our senior officers, and that's all you have to know".
All of a sudden, 2 - 4 Policemen had grabbed me and almost lifted me up, taking me inside Sultan's Park area, allowing the vehicle to go through the Park to the back entrance of the museum. A Corporal (couldn't make out the name) told me that I might have to be arrested for disobeying a direct order by Maldivian Police Services. He also told me in what I take as a threat "You don't wont to spend a week in Dhoonidhoo? So its best that you leave now". After saying so they took me out on to the street (Lily Magu) and let me go.
As they let me go, another Corporal comes to me and tells me that he understands our protest, but that I should not argue further and obey to what is being told since this area is cordoned, he reminded me that it means no one is allowed to go beyond the Police barricades.
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| Police requesting to leave the gate area (Photo: Maeed) |
I asked again, on whose authority was the catering vehicle allowed in? and how can he be sure that the order is a not an 'unlawful' order. I told him that I remember after 7th February, seeing one of the Police Officers, 'Naabe' (a famous Police entertainer) on TV telling people that during Nasheed's regime, he was ordered to allow a Dhoani to be pulled to the sea, despite heavy local protest, on a personal interest of some politician, and that it was an example of "unlawful" orders that were given to the Police at the time. I told the good officer that there is not much difference here today by allowing the vehicle through Police barricade to entertain Waheed, despite the efforts by many to stop Waheed's "Party" in the museum. I left the speechless officer to reflect on what 'unlawful' orders are and joined the protesters again in front of the main gate of the museum.
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