Dance Parties, Tsunamis, and Bordering on Atheism

This has been my first time to read former Information Minister Mr. Mohamed Nasheed's blog. Even now as I type these words, I ask myself why I am bothering to comment on the blog; maybe it's because it relates to the status of the religion of Islam in the Maldives more than it relates to politics, or maybe it mentions Mr. Mohamed Nasheed's educational credentials as a graduate of the International Islamic University Malaysia, the same university I myself am studying in.

It seems to me that Mr. Nasheed has been angered into an outburst of “conversation” by the decision made by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs to ban “dance parties” that were planned to be held in Male’ on New Year's Eve. It seems that Mr. Nasheed is of the opinion that such parties should be allowed and that the decision by the Ministry to ban them is one that will breed further extremist thought among Maldivians.

Mr. Nasheed’s idea that DJ’s that are planned to be a place for young people to hook up is part of Maldivian tradition is absurd. What’s more absurd though is his idea that there is a more modern ‘version’ of Islam that would allow such behaviour.

In his frustration at the Ministry’s decision, Mr. Nasheed has moved on to question the Islamic Affairs Minister’s comments regarding the 2004 tsunami. Apparently, the Minister’s comments that the tsunami was Allah’s Punishment and Wrath didn’t make sense at all to the former Information Minister.

We all know the science behind a tsunami: an underwater earthquake or landslide causes a sudden large movement in the water, creating a fast moving wave that slows and gains height in shallow water.

What we all also know about the 2004 earthquake and tsunami though, is the fact that the earthquake which took place on December 26th, 2004 was greater than anyone could have expected: The location where the epicenter of the earthquake was was a completely different location from what scientists had anticipated. Scientists had identified the southern part of the fault-line near Sumatra as being at risk of an earthquake. The rupture had occurred further north. In addition to that, a weakness in the Earth's crust near that area created a shortcut allowing energy to the surface.

The 2004 Tsunami was in fact a series of tsunamis: one caused by the displacement of the seabed when energy escaped to the surface through 'cracks' in the Earth's crust, another caused by the movement of the tectonic plates themselves.

The question is why did the rupture occur further north than could have been anticipated? Why were there weaknesses in the crust in that particular region? Why was even the rupture far greater than expected? Why do ruptures occur in the first place? Why are there plates in the Earth’s crust? Chance? Science? No. We Muslims are supposed to believe it's Allah's Will.

We as Muslims are supposed to believe that there is a force above science, and above nature; a more powerful force. That's what belief in Allah is. We don't believe in Allah the way ancient people used to believe in their numerous gods; that they created the Earth and that was it. That they didn't have anything to do with what was going on.

Natural disasters are Allah's Wrath, as well as His Mercy. His Wrath for those who indulged in wrongdoing until their very last moment. His Mercy for those god-fearing people who were nonetheless affected by the disaster. His Mercy because Allah has promised them reward. "Such is the Promise of Allah. Never Doth Allah fail in His Promise." (Surah Al-Zumar: 20)

What really shocks me as I write all this is that the person who finds the idea of a natural disaster being Allah’s Wrath as absurd is a graduate of International Islamic University Malaysia. I have studied in this great university for 3 years now. And never have I heard anyone here, neither lecturer nor student question this concept before. And according to what I learned here, believing in Allah’s Will is the six pillar of Iman (faith).

In any case, I believed it was my duty to deliver the message of knowledge, in case you didn’t know. And if you did, please accept my humble reminder!