This post about the lack of original educational or entertainment books in the native language of the Maldives. The language is called "Dhivehi".  

Walk into any local bookstore, make your way to the Dhivehi language books section and if you are like me you’ll be thoroughly disappointed. There are quite a number of books but there is a lack of original Dhivehi language works on offer. And what is already on offer are either outdated or utterly devoid of any educational or entertainment value.

It appears that we haven't progressed in our literary department for quite some time now. I am always delighted seeing some of the old classic folk stories in print. But then I am also shocked when I see that day after day the number of religious books appears to be on the increase. And it is rather alarming that some book stores are entirely dedicated to religious literatures, both in Dhivehi and English. The fundamentalist religious propaganda machine is well oiled and makes the few translations to Dhivehi of cheesy English novels look pathetic.

Yes, the number of religious titles is staggering and more so when you consider the sheer amount of rubbish that is printed on those books. In the children's section (or perhaps it was right next to it) I found such horrifying titles as "The punishments of the grave", where the author expounds upon the wicked punishments meted out to those that sin and stray from “true” Islam and “Hell – who wants to be saved?” – the contents of which is anyone’s guess.

In my opinion such books ought to be rated "R" and moved into a special section labeled "Violence and Gore (Adults only)". But we can always count on absolutely no one raising an eyebrow about the matter given our fear of criticizing Islam in any of its forms (violent or peaceful).

I have to ask you, dear reader, what could possibly be the educational value of these books? What benefits will our society reap when our children and curious adults read this garbage? If we cannot find original works that will diversify and enrich the spectrum of literature in Dhivehi perhaps we can have some foreign language works translated. Wouldn't it be nice to be able to pick up, say, some of Shakespeare's works in Dhivehi? Impossible? I say we should try. How about a book on modern history or the journal of François Pyrard’s time shipwrecked in the Maldives? Maybe a couple of real science books talking real science bereft of religious parallels (forced or otherwise)?

I think it is time the government embark on a programme aimed at broadening and exposing our minds to the diversity of the world's knowledge and great literary works by initiating a massive translations project. I’m not suggesting that there are not enough English language titles available but merely that the cost of good, imported books makes it difficult for them to reach most corners of our country. Add to that the fact that quality of English language skills of many students graduating from grade-schools throughout the country leaves much to be desired. In any case, such a project will fund authors and translators or maybe their work could be purchased at a premium and reproduced. It might even provide training to promising writers. Such a project will aim to create a society that can write freely and openly – a society that loves to read books, not just trash magazines.

Having said all that I do realize that Dhivehi language is not the richest of languages and certainly not apt at describing the world beyond ours. It is not modern and lacks the linguistic tools to deal with technology and science. But we have seen many new words introduced in recent times therefore we should take this as a challenge. Get new words coined if we have to. They might not be in common use in a few months but years from now we would have a richer and more powerful language along with a delightful diversity of books.

I realize too that a problematic hurdle we face is the arrogance and narrowness of religious conservatism. But if we can show a dancing local girl right after a hard-line religious programme on TV why cannot we have a Dhivehi language book about the dinosaurs? Or a book on world war 2, or one on space and the universe?

But through the constant propaganda of far-right religious institutions we have been conditioned to hypocritically disregard and dismiss scientific facts thereby making a book on dinosaurs, say, susceptible to attack and ridicule. Perhaps education as a whole in our young, formative years is to be blamed. But I suspect the laidback attitude of those at the in charge of literary progress must take a fair share of the responsibility. It is a good thing that many of us are fortunate to study abroad in far more advanced countries. But ask any Maldivian student of a foreign university, current or former, whether they took any interest in the arts, culture and history of their host country and you'll be mostly disappointed. Ask them if they had ever visited the museum and you will get the same reply. Many graduates return home without having their worldview expanded despite years away and the education gained.

And yet, I feel it is still not too late to change things within this country. If we can fight to establish a democracy like no other in the Islamic world and if the progress and evolution of Dhivehi language can be attainable then the only obstacle left is to find the courage to stand up to attacks from fundamentalist religious groups. It may be impossible to reproduce some philosophical and scientific works without stirring controversy and it may be tough and frightening (and even violent) but there will come a point in time when we simply must fight to preserve our history, culture and heritage and progress with the world and secure our future.

And do it too in our own Dhivehi language.

Notes: here's a sampling of books I found in one bookshop.

Translation of titles from left to right:

• "Playing and Listening to Music" - a book claiming this activity is haram (forbidden)
• "The truth about Jinns and Satan"
• "Hell - who wants to be saved?"
• "Is it ok for unmarried men and women to hold hands?" - a magazine article claiming this is unacceptable