Ahmed Shamil Aslam

I was born in the city of Male’, the capital of the beautiful Republic of Maldives which is often considered paradise by travelers from all over the world. Male’ is one of the smallest, most densely populated cities in the world and is home to nearly one third of our country’s entire population. Our beautiful country, the Republic of Maldives being a ‘100% Muslim’ nation obsessed with keeping this slogan does come with its own set of challenges for emerging amateur artists. Being secluded and cut off from the rest of the world geographically on a small island surrounded by water, in a Muslim society which was increasingly starting to consider arts, dance and music as anti Islamic, especially after the 26th December 2004 tsunami incident became the breeding ground for many aspiring artists who found solace in expressing themselves silently through art. Ever since the tsunami, Islamic scholars and extremists blamed the Maldivian people for attracting the tsunami and claimed that it was attracted by the Maldivian people celebrating Christmas, new year’s eve, Valentine’s day, for embracing the western culture and basically anything they could point their finger at to spread fear amongst the Maldivian people. It is also worth noting that the first democratically elected president of the Maldives has been forced to resign his presidency for trying to promote International human rights in the Maldives. The current atmosphere in the Maldives is that of rebellion and revolution. I am a 28 yeas of age and represent the Rainbow community of the Maldives. We have no rights or protection in our own country. One of the most beautiful places on Earth had become a living nightmare to some of us. Art became a way of life, expressing myself through art where words would have gotten me into trouble. I express my feelings through art, my hopes, dreams and aspirations. Ever since the age of 14, I started working with a group of female Maldivian dancers called Goma group lead by my eldest sister, we travelled across the Maldives performing traditional Maldivian arts, dance and culture shows at all the beautiful resorts hosted by myself. Having hosted hundreds of such shows across the country through out the years, Maldivian art had become a passion and having to watch many Maldivians gradually withdraw from embracing the different arts, Maldivian or otherwise because of religion made me who I am today. I am determined more than ever to make a difference and promote arts, dance and music in the Maldives, preserve the traditional and cultural art forms of the Maldives, make a stand against the extremists using religion as a weapon against freedom of expression and human rights to bring back the glory days of the Maldives when we were a moderate Muslim country and were a lot more accepting of the diversity on our beautiful world. So far, I have not taken part in any exhibitions but have sold 7 art prints to tourists in order to raise money for the one and only orphanage in the Maldives. If any one would like to buy these prints, they are for sale but exclusively to raise money for the Kuda Kudhinge Hiyaa orphanage in the Maldives.