🌈 Join Us in Creating the Next Issue of The Laadheenee Digest! 🌈

UPDATE: The Deadline has been extended to Friday April 18th 2025

The Laadheenee Digest is a platform by Laadheenee meehun, for Laadheenee meehun. It’s a space to challenge norms, share truths, and celebrate the diversity and resilience of Dhivehi/Maldivian identities. 

Laadheenee means irreligious (laa – not, dheenee – religious). It is a slur that is often used against queer Dhivehin, and any one that falls outside the ever shifting definition of being dheeneee (religious). 

The Maldives is one of the few countries left in the world where there is no freedom of thought, religion, or conscience. Because of this, being called laadheenee carries significant societal weight ands stigma. You can be devoutly religious and still be called laadheenee, there is always someone who thinks they know better. 

By calling ourselves laadheenee, we reclaim the word for ourselves and diffuse it of its power. 

We are laadheenee meehun (irreligious people), and we are still Dhivehin – whether you like it or not. 

As we work on our upcoming issue, we invite you to contribute your voice, your art, and your stories.

The theme for this issue will be ނަފުސު “nafusu”, meaning self. 

What does the concept of self entail in a country where freedom of thought is illegal? Where being queer is illegal? How does it make you feel? 

How do you feel about resorts doting on tourists – proudly celebrating how “diversity friendly” their resorts are, warmly welcoming peoples of all beliefs, genders, and sexualities – when the same courtesy isn’t given to us Dhivehin? 

A queer tourist can call the Maldivian police and the police will do everything they can to help them. If a queer Maldivian called the police the police would just arrest them instead. 

Whether you are queer and LGBTQIA+, religious or irreligious – we welcome contributions from Dhivehin of all sexualities, genders, and beliefs. 

We value all Dhivehi voices and we are here to celebrate the diversity of our peoples. 

We do not however – unlike the Maldivian government – tolerate any homophobia, queerphobia, transphobia, racism, or any kind of religious intolerance – so please keep your hate speech to yourself.  

📢 What We’re Looking For:
We encourage submissions that are bold, honest, and unapologetically Dhivehi. Share with us:

• Essays and Rants: Unfiltered takes on identity, queer experiences, freedom, society, or the challenges of being labelled as laadheenee in paradise.
• Reviews and Critiques: Want to review some old Dhivehi classics? Want to dunk on the latest international trends? 
• Creative Writing: Fiction, poetry, and personal narratives that resonate with our shared experiences as Dhivehin.
• Visual Art: Photography, illustrations, and digital art 
• Erotica: Stories that embrace pleasure and challenge stigma.
• Unique Perspectives: If you’ve got something to say, we’re here to listen.

🎨 Guidelines for Submission:

• Themes: Human rights, queer experiences, personal freedoms, and untold Maldivian stories.
• Formats: Written content (up to 2,000 words), high-resolution visuals (JPEG/PNG), or multimedia links.
• Language: Dhivehi or English (or a blend—be as expressive as you like).
• Anonymity: Submissions can be anonymous or credited as you prefer. Use a pseudonym if that feels safer.
• Deadline: January 31st 2025 UPDATE: extended to Friday April 18th 2025

Please get in touch via the following channels: 

• DM us on our instagram – @laadheenee
• Send us an email to thelaadheenee@icloud.com 
• Via the form below: