If you read the world news recently, you'd know that the Maldives, the island paradise well known as a honeymoon favorite,
forced its democratically-elected government out at gunpoint and instilled cronies loyal to the old dictator Mohamed Nasheed kicked out 4 years ago. The old loyalists, backed by the army and harnessing the ever-present rage of Islamic extremists, have reportedly
beat up supporters of Former President Nasheed, and seem to be asserting their power after 4 years under the relatively forward-thinking Nasheed.
It has been reported that the extremists have broken into the local museum and
smashed up priceless statues of the Buddha dating back to the pre-Islamic 12th century. It stinks of the 2001 incident of the Taliban blowing up those huge Buddha statues along the silk road. No doubt, as the military and Gayoom loyalists continue to focus on consolidating power and shutting out Nasheed, the extremists will continue to "purify" what they see as anti-Islamic elements in Maldives, including, as per the propoganda used against him, President Nasheed.