Category: News
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When will it be the right time to talk about queer Dhivehin / Maldivians?
This essay by Burakashi explores the paradox faced by queer Maldivians who live in an idyllic tourist destination yet confront severe legal and societal repercussions for their identity. It consists of five parts detailing the oppressive environment created by historical and ongoing political and religious dynamics. Despite becoming a popular destination for queer tourists and…
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A timeline of religious extremism, minority struggles, and human rights abuses in contemporary Maldives (2006 to 2014)
Originally published in 2016, this collection of news articles that demonstrates what the Maldives is really like; what the flashy tourist brochures will never tell you.
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Maldivian TikTok personality arrested for crossdressing
A Maldivian TikTok content creator, Yaaya, was taken into custody by the Maldives Police for the third time after public outrage over their videos depicting them in feminine clothing. This follows a previous arrest and sentence for similar content. Yaaya has been placed on 15 days remand and claims a right to freedom of expression.
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Mohamed Nazim’s 2010 confession – a turning point for Maldivian minorities
That battle had been won. Maumoon Abdul Gayoom’s 30 year rule had come to a close. Maldivians had finally arrived in the “anneh dhivehiraajje” (other Maldives) that was promised by Mohamed Nasheed and the Maldivian Democratic Party. A different Maldives. One with liberty and justice, where people would be free to express themselves, to be…
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Maldivians launch targeted harassment campaign against Prosecutor General lawyer Ahmed Shafeeu
In early December 2023, private information allegedly originating from Maldivian Prosecutor General Office lawyer Ahmed Shafeeu was leaked onto social media. This included private messages and explicit photos which have been used to accuse him of being in a homosexual relationship. This information was spread by prominent twitter accounts, some who would later delete their…
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Yameen Rasheed’s Last Tweet & The Myth of the “Balloon Cult” 🎈
At 08:42 AM, on the 22nd of April 2017 Maldivian journalist, blogger, satirist, and human rights activist Yameen Rasheed tweeted an emoji of a red balloon 🎈.
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Laadheenee moments in Maldivian History – August 8th 2014 – @moyameehaa is abducted
“Rilwan was a brave journalist who exposed the dangerous Islamic radicals operating in these paradise islands and who had issued many death threats to my brother. But many of these extremists have links with ruling politicians and that’s why the police are not moving on Rilwan’s case.” – Moosa Rilwan, Brother of Ahmed Rilwan AKA…
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Laadheenee moments in Maldivian History – May 28th 2010 – Mohamed Nazim declares himself an atheist
MALE, May 29, 2010 (HNS) – A Maldivian man was assaulted Friday evening, after he declared his atheist status to the public during the Q&A; session of a lecture given by visiting Indian scholar Dr Zakir Naik. Mohamed Nazim, 37, said although he was born to a practicing Muslim family and his parents taught him…
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Laadheenee moments in Maldivian History – July 13th 2010 – Ismail Mohamed Didi’s death
Ismail Mohamed Didi, the 25 year-old air traffic controller who was found hanged from the control tower of Male International Airport at 4:00am on Tuesday morning in an apparent suicide, was seeking asylum in the UK for fear of persecution over his lack of religious belief. Islamic website Raajjeislam reported yesterday that Ismail “was a person inclined…
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Laadheenee moments in Maldivian History – December 10th 2011 – Attack on Silent Protest
“Police are investigating a violent attack on a ‘silent protest’ calling for religious tolerance, held at the Artificial Beach to mark Human Rights Day. Witnesses said a group of men threw rocks at the 15-30 demonstrators, calling out threats and vowing to kill them. One witness who took photos of the attacked said he was…
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Maldivian Press Translations – “Rusthum has admitted in court to blaspheming against Islam, the Prophet, and Allah the most holy” (11th May 2022 from Mihaaru News)
Translation of news article written by Mihaaru Reporter Niumathullah Idhurees on 11th May 2022. https://mihaaru.com/news/107970 https://web.archive.org/web/20220514144026/https://mihaaru.com/news/107970 Note: This translation does not reflect the views of laadheenee.com and is posted here to provide a more accessible English translation of the news article, and also to act as a resource on how the Maldivian press reports on…
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Maldivian Atheist arrested, tortured while in custody
Maldivian atheist Rusthum (twitter @RusthumRusso) was first arrested on 10th September 2019 and is still in police custody. Our sources inform us that Rusthum was arrested after he asked the Maldives Police Service for protection from the religious extremists on his island who were giving him death threats. He was subsequently released for a few…
The Laadheenee 