Tales of our valiant heroes – do we truly value it?

The National Day is here again. The day of traditional attire and national flags. Children will be made to wear traditional attire as the occasion calls for. Institutions will hold celebrations. But come next day, the tales of National Day will be neatly packed in a box, and put away for the next year.

But is this enough for a country that wants to build a generation of patriots who understand what it means to be Maldivian?

This begs the question of whether people truly understand the purpose of celebrating such occasions and the importance of keeping alive the memories of the jihad of our national heroes.

What is National Day?

Maldives celebrates its National Day annually on the first of Rabi’ al-Awwal. It marks the day that As-Sulṭaan al-Ghaazee Muhammad Thakurufaanu al-A'uẓam or Bodu Thakurufaanu liberated Maldives after over 15 years of brutal rule under Portuguese colonizers, during which they forcefully imposed Christianity with the threat of death on Maldivians.

The brutality and heartbreak Maldivians experienced in those years is not something the country wants to re-experience ever again.

From a humble family in HA. Utheemu, Bodu Thakurufaanu, his elder brother Ali Thakurufaanu, and younger brother Hassan Thakurufaanu, began their strenuous jihad to liberate their country after the brutality of their colonizers hit its peak.

History describes this period as “a time when the sea grew red with Maldivian blood, a time when people were sunk in despair.”

Maldivians could take no more.

Under the threat of loss of the country’s Islamic faith and its culture and traditions, Bodu Thakurufaanu led a jihad which won back everything Maldivians hold dear.

According to historian Abdul Azeez Jamal Abubakr, the first official celebration of the National Day was on February 4, 1946. That is, the first of Rabi’ al-Awwal in 1365.

National Day; do we understand what it means?

The National Day comes as a reminder to all Maldivians. The government holds official functions and leaders give addresses. But how much do people really understand and value this freedom?

“It is now rare to see children who grow up will full awareness of our surroundings. Are they well-versed in the names of the things here? Are they well-versed in the sounds?” said a Dhivehi language teacher at a school in Male’, when asked about what he sees from his students.

But he sees the interest for national affairs from his students when they are told to dress in traditional attire.

But this ends with the end of school life.

“During school, we would wear traditional attire to celebrate national occasions. But what’s there to do once we finish grade 12? It’s a public holiday so we get a holiday,” said a college student.

This shows a difference in the attitude of students of two different age groups.

If the names of Bodu Thakurufaanu and other national heroes are erased from memories at the end of National Day each year, then do we really understand and value their jihad?

Make the past come alive

The jihad led by Bodu Thakurufaanu and other national heroes is no longer in living memory. The people who experienced this and witnessed this are long gone. What’s left are writings on pieces of paper. If we want bring alive these letters, these writings and listen to the sounds of the past, then we must revive the spirit of nationalism. Only a patriot can look at these writings and see the past come alive. These tales of valor preserved and safely handed over to the current generation, and in a manner that fits the current generation.

“Let’s look at other countries around the world. We see huge digital museums. Monuments that depict the lives of national heroes. There are clay figures and models placed on display. Why don’t we have this here in the Maldives?” asked a school teacher.

He sees no reason why Maldives should not have all this. There’s no reason why instead of bringing Kalhu-oh-fummi, the legendary boat which Bodu Thakurufaanu and his allies uses, to Male’, a center is built equipped with modern technologies where people can watch animations and see the entire battle unfold with their own eyes.

A country needs a people who understand their history; a people in whose veins run the blood of patriotism. It is crucial that the future generations are told of the sacrifices made by Maldivian ancestors to protect the country’s independence. If we want to truly value our national heroes, then we must show the same courage they did.