AG
D H I Y O U T H M A G A Z I N E
Dhi Youth Movement
Youth for Youth, to empower and to lead
NOVEMBER 2014 ISSUE #17
Dhi Youth Movement began in early 2012 as a small initiative by a few young inspired individuals in Male’, with the vision to bring a positive change to society by empowering young people to actively contribute to society. Our group, with a strong following on Facebook, was used to mobilize volunteers for a flash freeze on 29th March 2012 and since then there has been no turning back. We officially got registered as an NGO on 12th of December 2012 as Dhivehi Youth Movement under the Associations and Societies Act of the Maldives (Act No. 1/2003). Any and all Maldivians between the age of 16 and 27 are welcome to join DYM. And everyone’s ideas and thoughts are welcome and appreciated.
Dhi Youth Movement
Youth for Youth, to empower and to lead
DYMAG 1
NOVEMBER 2014
c Dearest Readers, This is the 13th issue since I took the designing wheel of the magazine from my predecessor and getting to this point has been quite a journey.
IMY, DESIGN DIRECTOR
Letter to the Readers
I’d like to start by saying how thankful I am to have gotten the chance to work with the many talents of the DYMag Team. I honestly couldn’t have asked for a better team. Before I started working as the Design Director of DYMag, I never really thought about how much work running a magazine would require. Contrary to popular belief, its not easy at all but somehow, we’ve gotten this far and I don’t believe we could’ve done so without our skillful contributors. Most youth oriented magazines don’t seem to last too long but we plan to stick here for a while and keep serving as the platform for youth to display their talents for as long as we can. On this issue, we’re featuring a young artist and an environmentalist who is currently working her magic in Baa Atoll. Also, make you sure you read our special feature on Manta Trust and the great work they’re doing in Baa Atoll. Yep. This is kind of a Baa Atoll special! I would like to apologize to our readers on behalf of the magazine for September’s issue not having any of our personal content in regards to what we think about the disappearance of Moyameehaa. It was mainly because the whole team was very busy and was unable to get the content ready in time. As you would’ve noticed, the magazine came out pretty late as well. And for that reason, once again, we would shed some light on moyameehas disappearing. The fact that someone from our very small country just went “poof” is impossible for us to comprehend. This needs more attention and we need more answers. There are several pieces in the magazine dedicated to his disappearance and I hope it gives you guys an idea of what the youth of the country thinks about the situation. I hope you guys have a good read! Imy.
NOVEMBER 2014 DYMAG 2
The DYMag Team
EDITORIAL
Hoodh,
CONTENT
Shaha,
m_hoodh
Editor-in-Chief
Content Director
Hoodh is simultaneously rude, charming and arrogant. His only redeeming quality is that he is proficient. Relentless in his pursuit of knowledge and impartial truth. Self professedly classy & stylish. Unapologetically sapiosexual, he enjoys the company of bright and attractive young ladies. He is a basketball player, a stargazer, a gym rack, a philosopher, a librocubicularist but most of all a philomath & mind of science.
DYMAG 3
kyousaurus
Deputy Content Director Jin loves anything and everything fiction and is more of a comical character himself. He is a sucker for creativity and has his own style of writing which makes the readers end up wanting more. Jin is also one of those guys who lives to float on the sea, staring at the sky when he is out of ideas and sit in parks and observe the world go around him.
PHOTOGRAPHY
MARKETING
Toby,
iyash
Design Director
Photography Director
Imy is just a dreaming, believing, photographing, graphic designing, video gaming, good food consuming, tv series watching, constantly ranting everyday guy. Loves his friends and his family even more. Often dreams of traveling the world someday due to suffering from a terminal case of wanderlust.
Toby is a hermit wandering through life loving the unconventional method of doing things. He is a kind, self taught and friendly soul. Although he is left at a loss of words at times, he attempts to speak through his own form of art. At the end of the day there’s nothing more he enjoys than some solitude in his coffee spot listening to some tunes with a smooth expresso feeling at home in the world.
NOVEMBER 2014
jinelixir
Shaha is a free spirit who enjoys classic literature, tea and lots of milk, good books and lots of sunshine. She dreams of huge closets and making a mark in the world. She believes in mismatching socks, breaking stereotypes and handwritten letters.
DESIGN
Imy,
CONTENT
Jin,
heyshaha
Dhum,
dhumyahmed
Marketing Director Dhum is known to be one of the smartest yet a gullible and a very innocent girl among her friends. She approaches everyone with a warming and friendly gesture and her enthusiasm in everything she does reflects a bright future and successful future ahead of her.
The CONTRIBUTORS
POET
WRITER
CHEF
STYLIST
D.Blood
Thihnan
Munshi
Naail
Bloodwritings
Infirmities in Life, Health
Yummy Talks
Nails with Naal
WRITER
WRITER
WRITER
WRITER
Yuna
Seema
Nuha
Allam Naeem
Can we heal this Country?
Bittersweet Memories
Kaylie
The Epidemic of Backbiting
WRITER
WRITER
Eama
Dan
Oh Rilu Where Art Thou, Rilu Poem
Manta Hype
NOVEMBER 2014 DYMAG 4
EDITOR’S CHOICE The iPhone 6 Plus is the pocket computer I’ve been waiting for
The Daily Beast
Quartz
Bangladesh government launches 25 mobile apps to ’get close to people’ BD Asia 24
The Maldives goes mid-market TTG Asia
Can this one-wheeled wonder change the way you commute to work CNN
Daily Mail
For cyclists, the best helmet may be no helmet at all BBC Autos
{
Lessons Hong Kong Might Learn Sri Lanka Guardian
10 People Making Total Bank From Gaming Mashable
Slate
DYMAG 5
NOVEMBER 2014
The Diversity of Islam The New York Times
{
{ You Can Now Go to College in Germany for Free, No Matter Where You’re From
{
{
The other side of paradise: Incredible photos show mountains of plastic bottles washed up on idyllic honeymoon islands in Maldives
{
{
{
{
{
{
The Original Ebola Hunter
The CONTENTS Regulars 02 Letter to Readers 03 The DYMag Team 04 The Contributors 05 Editor’s Choice
Specials 17 Ish 23 Manta Hype
Fashion & Beauty 15 Nails with Naal
Entertainment 07 Bittersweet Memories 09 Kaylie 11 DYM Recommends 13 #AskDYM
p.17
Columns 39 Infirmities in Life - Insomnia 41 Religion - The Epidemic of Backbiting 43 Bloodwritings - Searching 44 Health - Food Facts 45 Yummy Talks - Banana Bread
Spots
p.23
29 Can we heal this country? 31 Have you seen our friend? 34 Rilu Poem 35 #FindMoyameehaa 37 Busting Myths about Breast Cancer
p.29
NOVEMBER 2014 DYMAG 6
Bittersweet Memory by Seema
“Mom! I’m coming.” I called down the window. Everyone was loading the jeep with bags and luggage. We are moving out to Las Vegas. Because there was no one to take care of grandma when grandpa had recently passed away. My grandma is not allowed to travel so she couldn’t come here. I know I had to go, but the last thing I want to do is say goodbye to this two story house I had lived for the past fifteen years. It is so hard to leave someplace when there is so many memories buried underneath it. Even this room contains about a zillion memories. I remembered the fight, when me and my sister argued about the two beds. We both wanted the bed by the window but neither of us wanted to give in. Due to that, we didn’t speak to each other for weeks. My father couldn’t stand it much longer and said,” If you don’t settle this, by tomorrow, no phone, no computer and no fast food!” We were so horrified at the thought of no junk food that we settled down quickly. She let me have the bed by the window.
DYMAG 7
NOVEMBER 2014
I slung my backpack over my shoulder and headed out, turning once more just to see my tie-dyed curtain I made at art class. I thought of leaving that because I wanted to leave behind a memory of me in this house. I walked down the staircase slowly, taking one step at a time. I suddenly remembered the time when my little brother fell from this stairs. He was still screaming when he was being carried to the hospital. Poor guy had to be in a wheelchair for two months. When I landed on the last step, my eye caught on a crepe paper stucked to the kitchen door. It was from last week’s farewell party that my friends had thrown for me. My eyes welled up in tears as I thought of my best friend Ashley and my other classmates. I wasn’t going to see them again. But they had assured me they would video call me every day. Feeling a little better at that thought, I walked out through the backdoor. I almost tripped from the doorsteps, which once again triggered another memory from my past. Although it was nine years ago I remember it as if it was just yesterday. I purposely fell down from these steps and pretended that I had hurt my ankle, so I could skip school that day. Because my favorite TV show “Barney” was coming that day. But later when mom found out I got into a whole lot of trouble.
I laughed at the memory, but soon stopped when I saw my pet Mittens’ grave, which was on the left side of the backyard. Immediately tears poured out from my already tear filled eyes. I ran to the grave and started crying. “Oh, how I wish I could take you with me.” I got Mittens for my sixth birthday but lost her last year. She once followed me to school and hid inside the teacher’s desk drawer. What a shock it had been to the class and to poor Miss Keene who ran out screaming at the top of her lungs. I was still sobbing when someone came and placed a hand on my shoulder. “We can’t take everything with us dear.” My mom said as if reading my mind. “Some things are meant to be left behind while others are being replaced. “I got up and whined like a small kid. “But I don’t want to leave here. I don’t want to lose the memories that are here. My mom said, “Just because you are leaving here doesn’t mean you are leaving the memories. Come, your father’s getting impatient.” She led me towards the Jeep. I cast one last longing look back at my house. My mom’s word just sank in and I realized she was right. I wiped away my tears and thought. “Bitter or sweet it could be, the memories of my home sweet home will always be right here with me, forever.”
image christine-muraton.deviantart.com
NOVEMBER 2014 DYMAG 8
Kaylie by Nuha Nasheed he kid who’d sat before her couldn’t have been older than 15, judging by his gangly frame and the spots of acne on his face. “So what experience do you have with a job like this?”. She’d caught herself tapping her pencil on the desk irritatedly, looking at his vacant expression. “Huh? Oh yeah. I have experience. Totes. Yeah.”, he’d nodded. She’d scoffed inwardly and had forced a somewhat pleasant smile. “Well I’ll call you if you get the position. That will be all for now.”, she said, knowing full and well he wasn’t getting the job. The boy had then gotten up, nodding his assent. She’d sighed, rubbing at her face frustratedly. This was pointless. All the names she’d listed were crossed out, save for one. Michael Walker. Probably another teen looking for easy money, she’d thought. Sighing again, she’d been staring blindly at her desk when a deep voice had spoken up. “Excuse me? I’m here for the job interview? The name is Michael Walker.” Startled, she’d looked up to see a tall guy about her age standing in front of her. Wide shouldered and dark skinned. With obsidian eyes and high cheekbones. She’d raised her eyebrows, since this was not what she’d been expecting. Blinking, she’d managed to regain her composure. “Ah yes. Have a seat.”
DYMAG 9
NOVEMBER 2014
The interview had gone off without a hitch. Michael had wanted a part time job and this had turned out to be the perfect fit. At first, he’d just been her employee. Her “music guy”. Slowly though, over time, their relationship had developed from mutual respect, to friendship. And after two years, he was the closest thing she had to a best friend. They’d begun to spend more time together outside of work. Stayed up late talking, be it on the phone or online. She’d listen as he recalled anecdotes and told her about his day. As he spilled out all his frustrations, his hopes and dreams. And her? She listened. It had worked, this arrangement. She’d never felt pressured by him to give more and he’d never let it stop himself from spending time with her. She’d never thought he’d felt anything more... Until last night. The memory broke her out of her reverie just as the shop’s door opened, letting in a gust of autumn wind and more importantly, Michael. Their eyes met... ...and she froze. Michael on the other hand, didn’t seem to be particularly affected. She felt her cheeks heat up as he ambled over to her, shrugging off his trench coat and smiling at her. Was he going to mention last night? Should she? The thoughts whirled around her head as she fought to look anywhere but at him. “Hi.” Her eyes jerked up to look into Michael’s warm ones, and she felt a part of herself thaw, even as the rest of her went manic in frustration. Hi? How could he be so calm after what had happened? Unable to form an adequate reply, she stood staring at him, until he sighed.
“Look... About last night... I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to –– well. Let’s just move past it and say it never happened. Okay?” For a minute, she just stared at him. Then she managed to nod. “Okay.” she whispered. “Then so it shall be.”, he quipped. For a second, he looked at her with indescribably sad eyes, but then the moment passed and he smiled. “I’ll just go start work then.” Not waiting for an answer, he disappeared into the back room, where the records of sales were kept. She stared after him for a moment, then went back to nursing her cup of tea. So they were just not going to mention it. This was what she had wanted, right? Things wouldn’t have to change. No need for awkwardness or uncomfortableness. So then why wasn’t she happy? Or relieved? Why did her heart feel so heavy? She closed her eyes, and visualised Michael’s fluid lines. The curiously light way he carried himself, despite his strong build. His chocolate skin. Then she envisioned Michael turning on her, holding her wrists in a viselike grip. She imagined the pain that would flare along her arms. The helplessness that’d wash over her. Involuntarily, she shuddered, her body shaking violently. Some of the tea sloshed out of her cup and onto her hand, which she then drew back with a pained cry. No. She was not regretting their decision to look past the previous night. To ignore it. This was for the best.
image bittersweetvenom.deviantart.com
NOVEMBER 2014 DYMAG 10
DYM RECOMMENDS MUSIC Point of No Return – Keyshia Cole Absolutely wonderful and heartwarming and emotional, all in one. We are definitely buying what Ms Cole is selling because we are so bewitched by her words, her soul bearing lyrics and everything. Our favourite song: Heat of Passion
People Keep Talking – Hoodie Allen This album’s got all the groove and with songs like Movie and 100 Percent of Something, Hoodie is proving that he can do it all, rapping and the music. This is one cool emerging artist to look out for.
747 – Lady Antebellum The country trio is back with yet another brilliant album. It’s filled with great ballads about love, religion, friendship and more and as always staying true to their country roots. We think Just a Girl is the perfect song for all girls who feel ignored and Damn You Seventeen has us reminiscing the good old times.
MOVIES GONE GIRL Based on the book of the same name, this thriller featuring Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike is 99 parts entertaining and one part completely insane. Watch as death, betrayal, media and economy affect a marriage so bad that it takes a turn for the worse. Rating: 4/5.
The Theory of Everything The biography of everyone’s favourite, Stephen Hawkings is now available for your visual entertainment. Watch as a young Stephen falls in love, struggles through his diagnosis and succeeds in physics. This is definitely not a film to be missed. Rating: 3/5.
The BEST OF ME Based on the book of the same name, this romantic drama is about two young people who falls for each other in high school. Twenty years later, their paths cross as adults and they face the past in the most impeccable way. This is definitely a movie to watch with your significant other. Bring on the popcorn for a cozy movie date. Release date: 17th DYMAG 11
NOVEMBER 2014
BOOKS You by Caroline Kepnes
In the world of high tech and no privacy, this book is too true and that is an understatement. Joe meets Guinevere in a book store and soon a romance buds, only Joe has a hidden agenda and takes following on twitter to a whole new level. Kepnes uses dark humour and cultural references to make us relate to Joe in this psychological romantic thriller, definitely a page turner and a bit creepy for some audiences. Rating: 3/5
The Woman Who Would be King by Kara Cooney
This engrossing biography of the longest-reigning female pharaoh in Ancient Egypt will keep you up all night, reading about her audacious rise to power in a man’s world. Cooney tells the invigorating tale to how she built herself a kingdom and ruled by being a master strategist. Take a journey into the heart of Ancient Egypt and rediscover the almost-forgotten pharaoh and the complicated reactions to women in power. Rating: 4/5
Nora Webster by Colm Toibin Nora is a young widow and mother of four finding herself crawling back into a cruel reality, nnavigating grief and fear and struggling for hope. Set in Ireland, this story takes us into Nora’s world as she drown in her sorrow yet finds her moments of stunning empathy and kindness. Colm has most definitely created an iconic character and it would be regrettable to miss this historic start. Rating: 4/5
TV SERIES HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER This very thrilling mystery series follows the story of some special chosen students who are part of a very special law class. Apart from each episode exploring the specific cases the “chosen ones” and their teacher deal with, there is a much more important part of the plot that every episode shows a little piece of. Definitely . Rating: 4/5.
THE FLASH DC Comics’ TV success seems to be contagious. The Flash is about the superhero of the Justice League that we are all somewhat familiar with of the same name and this show is really good. Apart from how it stands as it’s own show, it’s also tied with one of my favorite action TV series of all time, Arrow. So far, The Flash has been really good and it just keeps you wanting more. Rating: 5/5.
GRACEPOINT Gracepoint is a small town where everyone knows each other but when a young boy’s body is found on the beach, no one feels safe anymore. A detective (David Tennant) who’s new in town is chosen as the lead detective and his unfamiliarity isn’t welcome in the town at all but it also helps him look at the town with a different perspective as he continues to hunt for whoever murdered the boy all the while fighting his own past. The UK version of this show is called Broadchurch. Rating: 4/5. NOVEMBER 2014 DYMAG 12
ASK DYM DYMAG 13
NOVEMBER 2014
q Leaders, and good ones, have died without getting close to world peace, and heck, without even devising a way to do so. How do you plan on attaining world peace?
A We would need, as humanity, a deeper understanding of each other. All most all conflict is born from misguided notions, misunderstanding or misconceptions. We would also have to face the fact that we as a species have a taste for spilling the blood of our own kind. We enjoy violence. Barbaric as it may be it is a truth of existence, to mitigate this behavior we can channel this enthusiasm through sport and competitive displays. Most importantly, humanity needs a common enemy. Look through history, we only unite in times of peril against an encroaching destructive force that threatens our livelihoods. World peace is a complex multifaceted problem. It is unlikely it has a simple solution or that a single diplomatic leader/messiah will miraculously come along and deliver us unto a utopian era of peace and prosperity. Peace starts within.
NOVEMBER 2014 DYMAG 14
Pink Dry Marble Nails NAILS WITH NAAL by Naal photography by Nawaf
DYMAG SEPTMEBER 15 2014NOVEMBER DYMAG 2014 15
2
1
4
3 I’m doing these nails for breast cancer awareness month! This one is for all the ladies. Be ahead of the game for this absolutely curable disease. As usual paint your nails with a good quality base coat. 1. First step is to paint 2 coats of white polish and let it dry completely before you do anything at all. 2. Get two colours of your choice or a couple more colours and drop it in blobs on the nails and use your toothpick to make swirlies making sure all of the corners of your nails are covered. 3. That will take a while to dry as well, since there are so many layers of colours. Once it’s dry seal it with a top coat.
Check out Naal’s blog at
COLORSPLOSION NOVEMBER SEPTMEBER 2014 DYMAG 16
Ish DYMAG 17
NOVEMBER 2014
NOVEMBER 2014 DYMAG 18
1. Tell us a little about yourself If I were writing my resume this would be where I dive into ‘a twenty year old highly motivated passion-driven individual’ but honestly, I’m just Ish. I’m a little bit of a fish out of water who likes her hands dirty - paint, dirt, mud, you name it who really likes travelling but combines it with giving back to a society that has many cracks that need addressing, but it’s a delicate surgical operation. Honestly, this is the toughest question to start one of these things with. 2. What were your immediate plans after your A’level ended? It seems like such a long time ago, I really can’t say. It was important of me to work, being idle has never been my strong point. I wanted to go abroad to study, definitely, but that was a work in progress, and it still is. 3. How did you get this opportunity? I was lucky enough to apply for an available job and then to get it.
Ish (Isha Afeef) is a very talented young artist and an environmentalist. Finished her A’levels at 2013, Ish is also well known for her work at DhiYouth Movement and the impossible feats she pulled off in making the biggest youth festival in Maldives, “Kattihiyvaru”, a huge success. From writing to drawing eye captivating images with just a pen, she is one of the most gifted Maldivians who takes anything and everything with a positive approach. In the months she spent at baa atoll, she has taught 44 young children and 18 parents how to swim. Her art will be available at Art Gallery on the 5th and 6th of December 2014, at the Arts and Crafts Baazaar. Here is Ish for you, all the way from baa atoll.
DYMAG 19
NOVEMBER 2014
4. What do you like most about baa atoll? The ocean. It’s every bit what they say it is. The biosphere reserve is teeming with life and I lucked out getting the opportunity to work here, although this wasn’t one of my considerations when moving here. But after you’ve close-up experienced the majestic manta rays as they glide through the water, or seen how beautiful reefs can become close to Mendhoo, then you’re sold. Done. Contract signed and forever committed to the ocean because this is the natural beauty they talk about when they want to conserve our environment, this is what we fight to preserve, this right here - our gardens in the ocean, our backyard.
5. What would you do to make the Maldives, a cleaner Maldives? This isn’t my responsibility to take. Individual responsibility can get you so far. What I can do or what I’ve attempted to do so far, has been to unite environmentalists on a non-government dependent level to colloborate on initiatives to a Clean Maldives. It’s collective responsibility that will pave way to better waste management. It’s not going to be overnight miracles or large, grand ideas, but rather small steps and it’s going to need commitment and aid at every level from different bodies. I hope when we get to that point, we find that people are willing. For now, we’ve had a good start and it’s only because of the love that already exists for the environment in people’s hearts. 6. How did it feel on your first *free* dive? Just imagine looking up at the way the sunlight comes through the surface of the water and being too distracted by it to look around and notice the fishes - that’s what I was doing, afraid as I was, just so mesmerized to be witnessing it. I was glad to have done it, to have taken that risk, to have taken all these multiple leaps of faith leading to that moment, just to be there in the deep blue sea feet under the water. 7. Tell us about your proudest work so far. I’ll just tell you my happiest moments because I believe they constitute. It’s all the children. It’s all the children with their experience in the water now that they’ve learnt to swim, or all the children who come up to me to tell me how they didn’t throw trash this one time because they remembered me, and it’s their mothers and how they smile every time I come and say I’m like a daughter to them now, and it’s the school with their thank-yous, and it’s the children with their cards and gifts and love. They are my proudest work. They are our ocean stewards. And I have faith that one day they will do great things with what they’ve learnt.
8. Drawing or writing? Arteries or blood? You pick. 9. What did you notice from most island cleanups? How important it is not to demonize people, even the ones who refuse to take responsibility for their own islands and prefer to swap anecdotes over coffees, expecting foreign aid to come and help. It’s a tough battle really. On one hand you have children who are enthusiastic about cleaning up their beaches and all for the cause, and on the other you also get people who give off the sense that they’re only doing this as a favor to you and therefore you’re responsible for it. It’s not something they do because it’s important or because they need to. I think the importance of these clean-ups need to be addressed even more so. The true command and leadership need to come from those we elect to be role models, because if they’re not willing to be the change it’s unlikely that their body will ever follow, and that’s a world you don’t really want to think of when people are too lethargic or apathetic to contribute to community betterment or environmental conservation. 10. In an ideal world, how would you conserve the natural beauty of Maldives? Elect me as President and I will guide you. 11. What do you do to deal with stress? ... I cry. So it’s suffice to say I’m not really good at dealing with stress. But once the waterworks are out of the way I bring my A game back again. 12. If you get a chance to travel to anywhere in Maldives, where would it be? Right now the only place I really want to go to is homeland, that little Southern island where all this began.
NOVEMBER 2014 DYMAG 20
13. What is your favorite novel? Ernest Hemingway compared picking a favorite novel to picking an organ you needed the most and letting the others go. I can’t do this. Also if I don’t love you dearly enough I’m too selfish to share what I hold dear, so excuse me. 14. What would you do if you see someone littering? Put on my Mother Theresa shoes and go on and reprimand them? No. Not really. It depends on what kind of person they are. If they’re approachable, I’d pick it up myself, give them a smile and tell them it’s not the best thing to do. If it’s someone unapproachable, I’d pick it up anyway. 15. A message to the readers You are whatever you believe yourself to be. And in this moment, you have so many potential things that you can become. I know how easy it is to sit still and say life isn’t happening - but life unfolds in the most mysterious ways so just be sure you’re open for it. You can shape the world you live in and it begins with you. Surprise yourself with how every little action can contribute to the larger, bigger picture. Focus on what you want, and if helping people or helping the environment is what you’d like, reach out and there’ll be people who’ll walk with you. If your interests lie elsewhere, pursue that too even if it means going to the end of the world. But let’s unite for a Clean Maldives, because we’ve been blessed with natural resources and it becomes our responsibility to protect it. It’s not anyone else’s. It’s not the migrant workers or the tourist sectors. It’s yours. It’s mine. It’s ours. Who’s with me?
DYMAG 21
NOVEMBER 2014
Learn more about Ish’s work and the slowlife symposium at www.slowlifesymposium.com
image catvphotography.co.uk
You can find Ish and her art at the Arts and Crafts Bazaar 2014 on the 6th and 7th of December.
NOVEMBER 2014 DYMAG 22
MANTA HYPE by Dan
DYMAG 23
NOVEMBER 2014
What are Mantas? Let’s start off with what Mantas are, shall we? Manta rays belong to the taxonomic family Mobulidae. This family contains eleven species of plankton eating rays. Within this family there are two genera, Mobula and Manta and more specifically within the genus manta there are two species, Manta birostris (the giant oceanic manta) and Manta alfredi (the resident reef manta). Manta rays are cartilaginous elasmobranch fishes. This means they are a close relative of all sharks and rays. The fact that they are fish means they don’t breathe air, but instead they use their gills to respire underwater. Mantas must keep moving in order to keep water flowing over their gills, which means they can never stop to sleep or rest on the seabed! Oceanic mantas (M.birostris) are the bigger of the two manta species; reaching a wing span (that’s wing tip to wing tip) of up to 7 metres (23ft)! A large oceanic manta might weigh in at up to 2 tonnes (4,440 lbs), making them a real ocean giant! Although smaller than the oceanic mantas, the reef mantas (M.alfredi) are still pretty big fishes, growing to an average wing span of 3-3.5 metres (9-11.5ft) and a possible maximum of 4.5 metres (15ft), reaching weights of up to 1.4 tonnes (3,100 lbs). In both species the wing span is roughly 2.2 times the length of the body. Despite their status as an ocean giant, manta rays feed on some of the smallest organisms in the sea! They are planktivores, feeding especially on zooplankton; tiny animals such copepods, mysid shrimps and arrow worms. Mantas are known to make seasonal migrations in order to take advantage of particularly abundant areas of food.
Mantas are found all around the world; however some important differences in range and habitat exist between the oceanic mantas and their smaller reef manta counterparts. Both species live pelagic lives in the open ocean, visiting reefs to feed and be cleaned. However, oceanic mantas have the wider geographic range of the two species occurring in tropical, sub-tropical and temperate waters. This species is more migratory in its nature, commonly sighted along productive coastlines with regular upwellings, oceanic island groups and offshore pinnacles and seamounts. Reports of this species range from to 31ºN (South Carolina, USA) and 36ºS (North Island, New Zealand). The resident reef mantas are more commonly sighted inshore around coral reefs, tropical island groups, atolls and bays, as well as along productive coastlines. As the name suggests, this species is more resident to tropical waters with smaller home ranges.
photography Dan / Manta Trust
NOVEMBER 2014 DYMAG 24
Who is the Manta Trust? The Manta Trust was founded in 2011 to co-ordinate global research and conservation efforts for these amazing animals. A UK Registered Charity, the Trust brings together a number of projects from around the globe, both new and long-standing, including the Republic of Maldives, Sri Lanka, Mexico and Indonesia. By conducting long-term, robust studies into manta populations in these locations we aim to build the solid foundations upon which Governments, NGO’s and conservationists can make informed and effective decisions to ensure the long term survival of these animals and their habitat. DYMAG 25
NOVEMBER 2014
photography Dan / Manta Trust
NOVEMBER 2014 DYMAG 26
What do we do? Every single morning starts off with getting everything on the boat. From our snorkeling gear to the food we need, it’s a bit of a hectic rush to get everything ready so that we can set sail. Once everything is set, it’s off to go manta spotting! Cruising around in our trusty little dhoni, we visit all the spots that are well known for manta sightings. Standing on top of the dhoni, scanning the seas for shadows underwater, maybe a fin or a splash of their pectorals, it doesn’t matter. At the first sight of one, it’s time to go in the water! While one of the team stays up on the boat to shout directions at us, the rest will swim towards the elusive mantas, all trying to get the ever important ID shot. Now the ID area is under the belly of the mantas so you have to do a lot of free diving if you work for the Manta Trust. Of course everything isn’t so smooth when you first start out. You have to time your dives in order to avoid disturbing their natural behavior. So there’s a lot of trial and error during the first few days. God knows how many mantas I’ve missed.
Once we’ve recorded and identified each manta at the site we move on. On a good day we’ll visit 4 or maybe 5 hotspots, spending about 5 or 6 hours at sea. And once we get back home to Landaa, that’s when the real fun begins! Office But after a few days, most probably you’ll get work! IDing time! Ah yes, you’re not just done everything down pat and you’ll be free diving after swimming around in the ocean. Rememlike a pro. But that doesn’t mean the mantas ber all those pictures that were taken during the are going to take it easy on you. Sometimes day? Well now you have to go through the manthey’ll just turn around and leave right before they get to you. There’s a lot of silent cursing at ta database and ID every single one of them. times like these, mainly because you’re waiting And sort them out according to their locations there underwater for them to get to you, hoping as well. So yeah, there’s a lot of work outside of just swimming with mantas as well. you don’t run out of air first!
DYMAG 27
NOVEMBER 2014
To be honest, it bothers me that so many Maldivians don’t know about these creatures. And not just mantas, but the ocean as a whole. We as a people need to understand that we have to study and understand our oceans more. We are linked to it in nearly every way, whether we like it or not. And working for organizations such as Manta Trust is a very good way of learning and working for something beneficial at the same time. The opportunities are endless. From swimming with 150 or so mantas in Hanifaru or meeting two whale sharks in one day to going to local islands and giving presentations and raising awareness about mantas and ocean conservation. So why do we do all this? Why go through all this trouble? It’s so we can understand and learn more about these gentle creatures. There is still so much to learn and find out. We take ID shots so that we can complete the manta database as well as learn about their migration patterns, population density, when and where mantas show up etc. There’s still so much to learn compared to what we have discovered so far. And to put it quite simply it’s because we love what we do. Ask anyone and they’ll be glad to go on for hours about why they love mantas. To be honest, these guys are some of the most passionate people I’ve met. They’ll gladly work around the clock studying these gentle giants and educating people about them. And I’m more than glad that I get to do all of it with them.
We’ve seen some big things happen this year. Due to the combined efforts of all the volunteers and staff at Manta Trust, the Maldives now has the biggest manta database in the entire world, over 3500 different Mantas have now been identified. And one other really good piece of news was the government passing the law so that all species of rays are now protected by law! So yeah, that was a huge morale boost. I could go on and on but let’s not, shall we? I just hope that more and more Maldivians start to take an active interest in the ocean and start to learn more about it. If I could I’d bring every single Maldivian out to Hanifaru to swim with the mantas. You have to see them first hand to understand how special they are. So yeah, go out and get in the ocean. Who knows? Maybe you’ll fall in love with it too. photography Dan / Manta Trust
NOVEMBER 2014 DYMAG 28
Can we heal this country? by Yuna It’s not every day that someone gets lost in a country. Especially in a country that barely holds 300 000 people. Especially a journalist, a free thinker. As I write this, I have no idea what lies in my future. Would I even have one? Will Moyameehaa be the only missing person poster on the walls between ripped out ads for toothbrushes, shampoos and a baggy jean? Maybe. Maybe not. I didn’t have the honor of knowing him, but that does not mean that he isn’t important. I read a lot of his articles and from what I know of his Twitter account, he seems to be an all-around well loved, amazing human being and honestly, there is no good reason for someone to go missing. None. Not in this country. I used to have such high hopes but today I think I’m beginning to understand why most of the youth population in this country wants to leave this place. It’s not because the world out there is wide and big and definitely not because we don’t have a Starbucks. It’s because we are losing (if not already lost) faith in this country. Actually, not the country but what the country has become. No one is safe. No one. I cannot say that I will go out tonight and return home. It’s not normal that my parents have to check up on me every half hour when I am out and it’s not normal that roads have become a battle between how fast I can walk home without being harassed or worse; being abducted. It’s not normal that a kid cannot even dream of a future because there is none. DYMAG SEPTMEBER 29 2014NOVEMBER DYMAG 2014 29
Call me a cynic but what hope is there when someone has been missing for more than 2 months and the services who are there to serve us are more concerned about some person who stole two lotion bottles. What kind of justice is this where criminals can run free and someone who steals a piece of bread to feed their poor children has to suffer? Is this what Islamic Shariah is because I have been taught that it is the religion of peace and I will till my death bed believe in that because it’s not the religion that is at fault here, it is the people. The people who think they can do anything in the name of religion. The people who have the power who don’t even look below at us poor souls; hands in the air with signs that are left unread, with words that are echoes into an abyss that never gets heard. We are all Moyameehaa and if the youth of this country cannot trust in the government or the police or the majlis, then what good is this place? Are we constantly going to school, getting a menial job and starting a family to continue generations of ignorance and being told that our voices are not loud enough or that the blood that run in our veins are far inferior to theirs so we can never have a chance of being anything but ordinary? I refuse to believe that just like Moyameehaa did. If all freethinkers in this country keep disappearing, then we have no hope for anything to get better.
To friends and family of Moyameehaa, First of all, I am really really sorry. No one should ever have to go through the never-ending pain of having a loved one being taken away from them, no one. I will be going to every rally you hold, to every event, I’ll be there emotionally if not physically to voice my thoughts about this injustice. Know that the youth of this country (or at least the people I know) are in solidarity with Moyameehaa and we stand against everything that naysayers have been saying. We believe in the same philosophies and ways that he believes in and in taking him out, what they don’t know is that they have created even more Moyameehaa’s because we are all Moyameehaa. To the president and Police Service, You are all citizens of this country, like Moyameehaa. Stand in his shoes. What if he was your son? Would you not do everything in your power to find him? Would you not look through every rock and hard place to get answers? He might be one person, but what he stood for was bigger than that. You might think this is not a big issue but what if every day that passes by, a person kept getting missing? Would you still not care? Does not the same blood run in all our veins? Are we not brothers and sisters in Islam? Please. Just. Please. Help. Find. Him.
To the people who think it is good that he is missing, HOW DARE YOU? Do you realize what you are even saying? YOU ARE SAYING THAT YOU ARE HAPPY THAT ONE HUMAN BEING IS MISSING. Does he deserve it? NO. Does anyone deserve it? No. We believe in Islam and if anyone has even wronged us or if we have ever wronged anyone, we will be paying the price because Allah’s law is perfect and YOU DO NOT have any right to wish ill upon others. How do you sleep at night? How do you walk past the streets, see the missing posters and not feel guilty? I sincerely hope that you come to your senses because if you breed more of this hatred, this country would be no more. There is nothing but a thin line left and your words are the scissors and all the adhesive in the world cannot mend broken faith so if you have even a bit of decency left, you won’t do that. You will pray for the life of your fellow brother and we will pray for forgiveness of your and our sins.
I am so very tired. I just wish that things would get better. Until then, I will keep voicing my opinion because this is all I have left. NOVEMBER SEPTMEBER 2014 DYMAG 30
HAVE YOU SEEN OUR FRIEND? by Hoodh DYMAG 31
NOVEMBER 2014
O
vercome with a profound sense of loss and deep feelings of fear we unwillingly observe the 81st day since the disappearance of Ahmed Rizwan or better known to his peers and friends as ‘Moyameeha‘ from his popular Twitter handle.
slight Maldivian Twitter community. Make no mistake, we are all Moyameeha. If we stand by and watch this transgression on our freedom today than tomorrow it will be each and everyone of us that goes out like lights in a blacked out city. Think back to the terror of the first violent gang related stabbings of the early 2000s. As I write this missive it is now 81 Think back to the radical escalation days 13 hours 19 minutes and 22 and the resulting desensitization of seconds since we last heard from our society as a whole to these inRizwan. human crimes. This is the genesis of a new reign of terror. Next thing we Moyameeha is a champion of deknow we will be going through the mocracy and a strong believer that motions of consoling families upon the pen is mightier than the sword families when their sons, daughters, or even any other means of force. I fathers and mothers are the unfortuknew him for the briefest of time but nate target of disappearances. Not his easy smile, amicable nature and because we really care, but because intelligence on many matters made it’s the polite, ‘proper’ thing to do. it very hard not like him. His legacy Is this not an apt description of the is one of great endeavors towards vileness we tolerate in all the gang journalistic truth and reporting on related violence because thankfully many difficult and taboo subjects it wasn’t us? So we will don the mask and content most others would shy of feigned empathy and we will say away from. kind words but inside we’ll just be glad that it wasn’t us. We’ll lock our Moyameeha is a maverick, an outdoors and hide our loved ones, we spoken critic, a skilled poet, a won- will berate our children for being out der filled philosopher, an insatiable too late or going out too much. Too mind, a learned scholar, an intelafraid to speak out or act, our entire lectual persona with an extensively existence will dwindle into one of colorful vocabulary but most of all fear and a ball of apprehension deep he is a friend. in our guts. And soon enough we will stop living, fully formed puppets His disappearance has struck a to our growing fears. On that day a disconcerting chord of fear high and rueful few will think back to this day. low in the Maldivian community and The day our friend, peer and champino where is this more true than the on disappeared. And we will lament
our cowardice and our inaction. But then it will have become too late. Most of us forget that for all the evils that plague our community that we ourselves are stakeholders in forming this community. This means that we can actively have an effect on the way our lives play out. Now whether this effect is positive or negative is entirely up to the individual person, meaning it’s up to you and me. Some of the issues we face are deeply rooted and may seem insurmountable but is it not our only recourse to at the very least attempt to make a difference? Is it not our duty to ourselves and those we hold dear to make our little patch of the world a little bit better? Given that we cannot move mountains alone but together there is nothing humanity cannot do. We can create a brighter future if we were so inclined. One of the people who believes in this idea most vehemently is our Moyameeha. Let’s #FindMoyameeha today. Originally published on silvertonguedrake.wordpress.com/
NOVEMBER 2014 DYMAG 32
Oh Rilu, where art thou? by Eama
I refer to him as Rilube.
Government bodies need to take this matter into serious consideration as this is a menace to the media freedom. We’re fretting over a missing person, not a missing tooth. It was disheartening to have noticed that silence from the President when questioned, signals that Maldives is apathetic when a citizen’s whereabouts are unknown. But what’s preventing the family and friends from gathering more information about the fate of their loved one? I assume, political rivalries among the political forces have contributed to ensuring that this issue has remained on the back-burner. Keeping demanding for up to date elucidation from MvPolice! We don’t want Rilu in our hearts only, we want him present here with us as well. When he’s not around, the whole world seems depopulated.
Driving around Male’ pinning his ears on Nusrat music and stopping by Bodu Ahmed Rilwan Abdulla, also known as Magu to have a joospetty would be his Moyameehaa is a son, brother, uncle, leisure pursuit. He would devour the friend, a journalist, a writer, an artist, a whole joospetty till the last sip as if it’s poet and a strong advocate of human a sacred drink, and often tell me off for rights who has been missing since 8th my lack of interest in joospetty. It was August 2014. more amusing to watch him have it with passion, hehe. Afterwards, he would roll a I miss him and, I need him to come back I met this young man 9 years ago and tobacco cigarette with aptitude and puff as soon as possible. He never failed to cheer me up when I was feeling low, he since then we have managed to uphold out clouds of smoke. slapped me back to my senses wheneva close-knit companionship. My first er I headed astray. He was there for me reminiscence with Rilu was when I had Though he refers to himself as Moyawhen numerous people bowed out. He him say “kalhusai, kirusai” in order to get meehaa, he’s very much sane and well assured me that he would be here for a clearer sight of his two silver false teeth. balanced. In fact, he’s one of the most me, ALWAYS. I can never get enough of The moment I discovered that Boulevard lucid people I’ve met. He knew what he of Broken Dreams by Green Day was one was up to, okay? A freethinker, who used his humor and merry laughter. He made me laugh so hard that tears rolled down of the songs which topped his playlist, I to cogitate on aspects of life. He quesmy cheeks. Now, I’m left to shed tears of knew we would get along fairly well. And tioned, and perceived answers. He was devastation for him. Please stay safe Rilu, we did, every passing day. inclined to form his own opinions rather than depend upon authority which exhib- where ever you are. Please, help us find I used to hear from him diurnally, but ited boldness of speculation; skeptical of Moyameehaa. it’s been more than a month since I last authority. He never lost his morality. Mad, heard from. My highlight of the day was mad society. When a man goes missing, him chanting “GOODO MORNONGO EMU priority must be given to find him rather EMU EMU” at the break of dawn. “Emu, than pondering over his religious stancwhy are you so cute?” is a rhetorical ques- es. And that too, using the minimal facts tion he usually throws in my way. Oh how you’ve got. If you don’t know Rilu well, I crave to see, once again his handsome don’t give yourself the ability to judge face, his pouts when he’s being adamant, him. his merry laughter when he’s delighted. His words coerced them. Threats from How pleasant would it be if he’s still here. the ignorant and criminal, not the plaSleep and wake up to his texts. giarisms of the envious, is the sincerest form of flattery for an author. Journalists Enduring his complains and whines was are frequently subjected to such threats, also a regular part of my day. I swear, intimidation and attacks, but that’s no he comes up with the most pointless reason for the rest of us to forfeit and seal grumbles and I would have a hard time our lips and pens. We have responsibiliconvincing him otherwise. The last day ties as citizens to our community. Raise we talked, he complained of having a your voice, shout it aloud, don’t hold huge tummy and was upset because back. FIND MOYAMEEHAA! mine’s flat. “Life’s not fair on me,” he said. So what, even if your tummy is huge? We have seen what’s inside, Rilu. A placid The days when I first met Rilu. (2006; Mysore) soul, and we have fallen in love with that. DYMAG 33
NOVEMBER 2014
Rilu A beautiful human being, evanescened on 8th August 2014 With only sweet reminisces, photographs and his words, to fill an empty void. Persistent prayers and passionate cries Rilu, where are you? A voice not heard but always there, a serene flourish. Hearts aching, eyes espying, minds yearning, the door will open You shall return to us Hope has a chance to linger. A poem for Rilu by Eama Moosa. This shall be the first rhyme he reads when he comes back.
NOVEMBER 2014 DYMAG 34
#FIND MOYAMEEHAA DYMAG 35
NOVEMBER 2014
Sure. Apart from the occasional riots and out of hand expatriate situation, there is nothing wrong in the Maldives, the island nation country hosting the blinding white beaches. Or so a tourist would say. It wouldn’t take a specific maldivian to prove the statement wrong. Even the most patriotic children of the country now weep for its condition. Once upon a time people cried in fright when the news anchor announced that a Maldivian murdered another Maldivian. Their hands rose skyward and starting praying to bless the country and let it be in peace. The clouds shifted for a while and the wind brought darker clouds as the government and the citizens slept through the final days of sunny peace. Killing became old news for the once frightened Maldivians, followed by child abuse and rape. Youngsters claiming to be gang members of unimpressive names started to crop up from every corner of every street. Maldivians became habituated to the killings and inhumane suffering of our own. And then the sun rose to add a new atrocious act to the existing long list. He is a son, a brother, a dear friend to many, a brilliant journalist and an outspoken human rights activist who was very vocal about his opinions. He is Rilwan Abdulla, allegedly abducted from Hulhumale and missing for 66 days and counting. Shocking you say? Yes, this is the first case of its kinds to strike terror in hearts of so many in Maldives. But it isn’t the first disappearance in the Maldives. Rumors, allegations, and “professional” reports aside, Rilwan is among the handful of tolerant Maldivians who actively tried to coexist with the other individuals regardless of the differences. A model young Maldivian who lends a helping hand to anyone who is in need. A journalist who never capped his pen just because someone disagreed with him. So comes the question, why Rilwan?
Theories from various bodies and people who have been following this matter claim that this was an act of religious extremists in Maldives. Rilwan is regarded as a freethinker and his rationality probably made more sense than the people who claim to know more about the religion than the rest of the population. It was later rumored that Rilwan held important information regarding Dr. Afrasheems murder and that was the reason why he was abducted. According to the report, Rilwan was working on a report to expose the murderer of Dr. Afrasheem and the corruptions in the system. If this is the case, where is this project and who is this parliament member who disclosed the information about the murderer? Police never found out.
a CCTV camera within range. These are desperate scramblings of worried minds, flurry of thoughts of broken hearts. Questions regarding the investigation went unanswered for two long weeks and then MPS responded with a statement that they have hope of finding Rilwan and that he will come back soon, till then the family was urged to sit tight.
happen. One thing is certain, playing the blame game on either side is not going to bring Rilwan back.
The age old cliche goes “There is a first time for everything” but the mere thought of abductions becoming a norm in such a small country like this is terrifying. While disappearances are not new to the Maldives this is one of the most high False hope is the worst thing in the world; profile cases of it’s kind. After Rilwans disyou keep on dreaming for something appearance, there have been reports that to happen and when it doesnt, you are a young girl age of 16, Mal’ha has gone devastated by it. So is the Maldives Police missing (reported that she ran from home Service giving false hope to the family and is currently hiding from her parand friends? If not, do they have any ents) and a Maldivian, 29 years, Ahmed leads? It’s understandable if they are Shimhad has gone missing in Sri Lanka. not willing to address it in the public or Cases like these are increasingly under keeping the leads to themselves in order the microscope of public scrutiny amid to aid the investigation, and we were an atmosphere of increasing general Police did find out about one thing. At the thinking that too. Until recently, they told paranoia. We are all thinking it. Am I safe? night of abduction, a witness allegedly public that if the family and friends of Ril- Will my Facebook post or Tweet cause saw two people forcing a man into a wan kept quiet, there is a high probability me to vanish tomorrow? It all started red car. In the process, they allegedly that he would be found now. But surely with one. We cannot allow Ahmed Rildropped a knife to the ground and fled it understood that keeping quiet is not wans become like the ‘Lindbergh baby’ the scene. Police discovered this knife, the easiest thing to do in the aftermath case of Maldives. If the government is so took a witness report and then the knife on the emotional devastation caused concerned about the abductions as they went out of existence. No one knows by such an incident. Apart from the very claim to be, and since they already know about the knife anymore. Not to mendirect messages it gives to the public and that they have made huge efforts and tion, they couldn’t get a fingerprint on the scapegoating nature of responsible failed to find the abducted, why haven’t the knife either. And disregard that it institutions charge with the task of keep- they contacted professionals from other was profiled that it was a red car and the ing the citizens safe, it hints to another countries to aid the investigation? Its not fact that no cars can go out of Hulhumgrim message; leads have run dry and like it didn’t show up on the international ale except to the airport, Police could we as a nation are waiting for a miracle to communities radar. Many international not pinpoint which car it was. After the bodies have showed their concern over abduction, they never c ontrolled any terthe abduction of Rilwan while the Maldivminals to and from Hulhumale as if they ian government and the Maldives Police almost entertained the possibility that he Service continue their everyday routine was moved out of the city. in autopilot mode. Can we ever see him again? Maybe they have enough evidence to come to that conclusion: It was reported We must not let #FindMoyameeha fizzle later that the telecommunications service away. This atrocious crime must galvanprovider confirmed that the last cell ise our society high and low to ensure activity was recorded in Male’, the same that something like this never happens night at around 2:36 in the morning. But again in this small island nation we call does this really mean he is somewhere in home. Male’? If so, are police searching? Publicly nothing is certain. It very possible that the abductor came to Male’ with his phone and disposed of it while Rilwan is still kept hostage at Hulhumale. If so, can’t anyone pinpoint the location of the last cell activity and see whether there was
“
A journalist who never capped his pen just because someone disagreed with him. So comes the question, why Rilwan?
NOVEMBER 2014 DYMAG 36
Busting Myths about
Breast Cancer Note: The following article has been taken from WeeklyCitizen.com
We don’t know very much about Breast Cancer even though every year during October we wear pink ribbons and chant things like “save boobies” or celebrate No Bra Day. A disease like breast cancer can be a mortal battle fraught with overwhelming stress and devastating physical and emotional impact. Confronting breast cancer is made even more difficult when fictions get caught up with the facts. Here’s a myth-busting look at breast cancer risks:
DYMAG 37
NOVEMBER 2014
Myth: Breast cancer only affects older women. Fact: Breast cancer doesn’t discriminate. Although it most often strikes women between ages 55 and 65, women of all ages should be diligent about screenings and be aware of their risk factors. “Diagnosing breast cancer in its earliest, most treatable stage is difficult in young women whose breast tissue is generally denser than that of older women, making mammogram and physical exam unreliable. There is also the common belief among young women that they’re simply too young to develop the disease, said Dr. Gale England, an Advocate Medical Group breast surgeon, Downers Grove, Illinois. Myth: Men don’t get breast cancer. Fact: Yes, men do get breast cancer, but it is not common. The chance of a man getting breast cancer is 100 times less than women, England said. Myth: Only people with a family history of breast cancer are at risk. Fact: “Most women who get breast cancer do not have a family history. Only 20 percent of new breast cancer cases are related to heredity,” England said. Myth: Breast cancer is preventable or if you’re at risk, there’s little you can do to prevent breast cancer. Fact: While breast cancer is not preventable, there are things a woman can do to lower her risk such as losing weight if she’s obese, getting regular exercise and limiting alcohol consumption. Some factors that increase the risk of breast cancer are mostly uncontrollable such as age, personal and family breast cancer history, genetic factors, first menstrual period before age 12, menopause after 55, breast density and race, according to the National Breast Cancer Coalition.
Misinterpretation: 1 in 8 women will develop invasive breast cancer. Fact: Your risk increases as you get older. It’s more accurate to say 1 in 8 women who reach the age of 80 can expect to develop breast cancer. “In each decade of life, the risk of getting breast cancer is actually lower than 12 percent for most women,” according to BreastCancer.org. Myth: Most breast lumps are cancerous. Fact: Eight out of 10 lumps that women may feel in their breasts are not cancerous, according to BreastCancer.org. “A benign lump can be a collection of normal or hyperactive breast gland cells, or it may be a water-filled sac (cyst),” according to its website. Myth: Mammograms prevent breast cancer. Fact: Mammograms do not prevent breast cancer, but they are a screening tool that will detect cancer that is already in the breast. “They are tools for early detection which improves survival,” England said. Myth: A family history of breast cancer matters only on the mother’s side. Fact: It’s now known that a history of breast cancer in the women on a father’s side is just as relevant as a woman’s family history on the mother’s side. Hereditary breast cancer can be passed down from the father’s side, according to BreastCancer.org. Myth: Wearing an underwire bra increases your risk of getting breast cancer. Fact: There is no scientific evidence that wearing an underwire bra causes “breast cancer by blocking the drainage of lymph fluid from the bottom of the breast so it can’t get back into your body,” according to BreastCancer.org. NOVEMBER 2014 DYMAG 38
Infirmities in Life
INSOMNIA by Thihnaan
Many factors in the body trigger in order to put you to sleep. The body has an internal clock system of roughly 24 hours which is set for you to sleep at night and stay awake at day. But how does this happen?
DYMAG SEPTMEBER 39 2014NOVEMBER DYMAG 2014 39
image sableandox.co.uk
I
nside the body, a compound called adenosine comes into play. When you are awake, the level of adenosine in the body rises and when it reaches a certain limit, it signals you to sleep. During sleep, your body breaks down adenosine and the process repeats. This however, is one of the factors mentioned earlier. Another compound, known as melatonin, a hormone, is released at the peak of the evening which leads you to feel drowsy eventually helping you to sleep. Light sensitive pigments in the eye also pick up the environmental conditions whether it is light or dark which also contributes to your sleep patterns.
However, if you have experienced difficulty in sleeping despite having time Unfortunately for some people, this and not being under stress for three may be the case more often than not. nights in a row or so, it is important to There are many reported cases of seek medical attention. Insomnia can being unable to sleep or stay asleep be a symptom for many fatal cases as for an adequate amount of time. This well such as neurological disorders, is medically referred to as insomnia. heart diseases or mental disorders. Insomniac people are classified into Always remember that insomnia can two categories; those who experience also be caused by an unhealthy habit difficulty for several nights (roughly up in your lifestyle. Abuse of over the to three weeks) whose insomnia fades counter drugs such as sleeping pills, on its own and those who experience pain killers etc. and overuse of caffeine insomnia which lasts for more than can also result in lack of sleep. three weeks and need medical attention. To reduce any onset of insomnia try
practicing good sleeping habits. Fades The internal clock system changes Insomnia can be caused due to of blue light from the dim glow of the with age. For example, melatonin is several reasons. If you are a woman TV, phones etc. should be avoided released much later in the evening for experiencing the menstrual period, it during sleep. Try reducing the naps teenagers which explains why they is common to have insomnia as it has and replacing it with a long peaceful tend to fall asleep later at night than been correlated with low levels of pro- sleep at night. Use the aid of an alarm adults and newborns. However, due gesterone (a hormone) which interfere clock to wake up every day at a particto stress or a feeling of fear or excite- with the sleeping process. The same ular time and remind yourself to sleep ment, the hormones in your body are is also true for women nearing their at a set time every day to adjust your altered and the sleep pattern is dismenopause. In these cases, insomnia internal clock. All these are helpful to turbed. This can result in poor sleep will often fade away on its own and is make sure you are well rested for a leaving your groggy in the morning. not really a problem. good days work. NOVEMBER 2014 DYMAG 40
The Epidemic of Backbiting by Mohamed Allam Naeem
Backbiting is a disease that is perhaps more pernicious than the notorious Ebola virus, or any other virus for that matter. Moreover, it is more prevalent in our communities than almost everything else that is forbidden in Islam. Indeed, no one is safe from this vicious epidemic save a few. Backbiting is defined as speaking about a Muslim in his absence and saying things that he would not like to have spread around or mentioned. By that definition, saying something about a Muslim in his presence and saying things he would not mind if spread around or said in his absence—such as praising and commending him—do not come under the heading of backbiting. Backbiting about your fellow Muslim is tantamount to eating his dead flesh, as Allah describes it in the Qur’aan. He says [interpretation of the meaning]: “…neither backbite one another. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would hate it (so hate backbiting). And fear Allah. Verily, Allah is the One Who forgives and accepts repentance, Most Merciful” [49:12]. Backbiting can occur in many forms, often in ways we haven’t thought of before. For instance, it is backbiting whether it is done using verbal means, through writings, or by making a gesture, indicating or pointing out with one’s eyes, hand or head. Imam Nawawi’s (d. 767 H) principle for understanding what backbiting is that anything that causes one’s audience to understand the defects found in certain people—whether or not he mentions him by name—comes under backbiting. The following five points might come in need the next time you backbite or hear someone backbiting.
DYMAG 41
NOVEMBER 2014
1. It is your duty to stop people from backbiting: If you are in a gathering where the people are backbiting about someone, you have to admonish and advise them to stop it. Don’t let anyone backbite another in your presence! If someone does, shut him up and tell him it is forbidden in Islam.
“
The following five points might come in need the next time you backbite or hear someone backbiting.
Backbiting about your fellow Muslim is tantamount to eating his dead flesh 4. You might be in the same boat as them someday: Just like you would hate to become the object of gossip and slander in other people’s gatherings, others would hate it too. So clean your tongue and your gatherings of backbiting.
3. Seeking a religious ruling or a fatwa: Due to the necessity of it, Islam allows mentioning the faults of others in this case. This includes, for example, saying to a mufti (scholar) “my father (or brother or a certain person) did this and that, does he have a right to do that?” However, it is worth mentioning that if 5. You cannot afford to participate in 2. Your excuse might not be as justifiable this could be done without specifically someone else’s sin: as you might think: If the backbiter doesn’t find any ear which mentioning a person, then it is better. If you are backbiting about someone on listens to him backbiting, he would not the grounds that you are prepared to 4. Warning and advising Muslims against backbite. So, if you lend your ear to him say that in front of him, or you think that and do not rebuke him, you are encourevil: This includes warning someone he would not mind it, then think again. who is keeping company with those who aging him. If you neither rebuke him nor Perhaps he would actually get angry, or leave that gathering, you are participating drink alcohol or are thieves, or warning he would act courteous in front of you, with him in committing that sin. And that, someone who is giving his female relative when he would really be offended and in marriage to someone, or someone you cannot afford, because you have hate you for it. unknowingly buying faulty goods and so enough sins of your own to deal with. on. But this should be done for the sake If for some reason you find it difficult 3. You are handing out your own good of advising only. or impossible to stop him, then it is not deeds for free: permissible for you to be in that gathering Even if you dismiss what you did of back- any longer. 5. When one commits sins openly: If somebiting, thinking that it was just a couple of one commits sins openly, such as seizing mere words or that you did it just to pass Despite all that that was mentioned bepeople’s money unlawfully or drinking the time in a gathering, you will still be fore, there are certain situations in which alcohol out in the open, then it is permisheld accountable for it. Indeed, you will sible to talk about him. But that should backbiting is permitted, which can be be standing on the Day of Judgment and explained under six headings: be limited to that particular aspect only, those whom you did backbite will take and it is forbidden to mention any other revenge from you. They will take from faults of him. 1. Complaining: It is OK for the oppressed your good deeds, and if that runs out, you to complain to the ruler or judge and will have to bear some of their bad deeds. others who have the power or authority to 6. Defining or identifying someone: SupHow great a catastrophe it will be if that pose someone is known by his nickname, get justice. happens when you need the good deeds such as ‘the blind guy’ or ‘the deaf guy’, most! then it is ok to mention him by that 2. Seeking to change evil and bringing In essence, you are ‘donating’ your good back a sinner to the right path: For exname, if the goal is to identify him. This deeds to whomever you backbite. Hence, ample, telling someone’s parents about must not be done in order to belittle him, Abdulla bin al-Mubaarak said: If I were to what their kid is doing, so that they might and it is preferable if he can be identified backbite someone, I would surely backby a more appropriate name. stop him. However, this should be done bite my parents for they have the most in order to put an end to the evil, and if right to (receive) my good deeds. May Allah save us all from backbiting. this condition is not met, it is forbidden. NOVEMBER 2014 DYMAG 42
Bloodwritings
Searching by D.Blood
I have tried and I have failed she said I have tried and I have failed he said They both tried finding the right person They both failed for the same reason Love and care, trust and understanding she needed Was them all he too heeded Lost in love, betrayed in trust They vowed to search till in peace they rust If only they would search in each other...
DYMAG 43
NOVEMBER 2014
Food Facts
by Thihnaan
Celebrating World Food Day this October 16th Here are some surprising facts about certain foods that will help you eat healthy to stay healthy! 1. Broccoli – While everyone rushes to oranges for a source of vitamin C to treat common colds, only a handful of people are aware that broccoli has twice the amount of vitamin C compared to an orange. Moreover, it has almost the same amount of calcium as whole milk and is usually better absorbed into the bloodstream for healthier bones and teeth! 2. Onions – Apart from the enhanced taste which makes it a must for every recipe, onions contain Sulphur compounds which help to detoxify the body. They are also great for healing muscles and tissues because they help cells repair. 3. Tomato paste – As peculiar as this may sound, it has been found that tomatoes should be replaced with tomato paste. Tomato paste contains lycopene which is a chemical that prevents arteries from being blocked so your heart is healthy. It is also advised to replace ketchup with tomato paste because tomato sauce has more sugar 4. Marshmallows – Turns out marshmallows aren’t just your sugar bags only good for roasting at BBQs. Marshmallows have been found to relieve sore throats! The marshmallow plant has medicinal properties which have been used by ancient Egyptians for this purpose as well.
5. Tuna – While you take your daily dose of tuna for that protein boost do you know that you are making the job easier for your heart? Tuna contains omega-3 fatty acids which are excellent at keeping your blood pressure low. Moreover, it helps keep the level of bad cholesterol in the body low so you lose weight. The fatty acid also triggers a hormone in your body which keeps the metabolism high further reducing obesity or any occurrence of a heart disease! 6. Cucumbers – Why go for just whole grains or wheat with fibre when you can have more than enough with cucumbers? Cucumbers help you keep your calorie intake low because it gives you the sensation that you are full. At the same time, it improves your digestion and bowel movement. Cucumbers help clear away any toxins or waste that may have accumulated in your large intestine. 7. Dates – Dates are encouraged during breakfasting for a good reason. When the body begins to absorb the high nutritional value in dates such as several vitamins and minerals, feeling of hunger is satisfied and it helps prevent overeating. Moreover, dates aid with preventing abdominal cancer. 8. Kiwifruits – This fruit is a DNA repairer and immune system booster. It also helps make collagen fibres which keep your skin firm. Kiwifruits have very low glycemic index meaning it does not raise blood sugar levels instantly. This is great news for people with diabetes because they can enjoy the goodness of kiwifruits as well! NOVEMBER 2014 DYMAG 44
Yummy Talks
Banana Bread with a Twist by Munshi Here’s what you’ll need:
Method:
- 100 g softened butter, plus some for greasing the pan - 2/3 cup of caster sugar - 1 beaten egg - 1 cup all purpose flour - 1 cup almond meal - 2 tsp baking powder - 2 tsp cinnamon powder - 4 very ripe large bananas (about 8 inches long) - 2 handfuls of chopped walnuts - 50 ml milk - A dash of maple syrup (about 2 tsp)
1. Pre-head oven to 180 degrees Celcius. Grease a loaf pan with butter / line it with baking paper. 2. In a large bowl, mix the butter, sugar and egg. Then slowly mix in flour, almond meal, baking powder and cinnamon. 3. Mash the bananas well, and add the mixture. Add the remanining ingredients, and mix well. 4. Pour the mixture into the greased or lined tray, and bake for 50 minutes. Check with a skewer if it is cooked, and if it is not, bake for extra 10-15 minutes. (I tasted the battery from what’s remanining in the bowl, and got my mind blown!) 5. Serve with vanilla ice cream, butter, chocolate syrup or any other preference. 6. Invite your friends over, and boast about how good a baker you are!
DYMAG 45
NOVEMBER 2014
Until next time, M.
Visit the Yummy Talks Blog at yummytalks.wordpress.com for more recipes
NOVEMBER 2014 DYMAG 46
Thank you for reading. See you in December! In the meantime, find us at: fb.com/dhiyouthmovement twitter.com/DhiYouth dhiyouthmomvement.blogspot.com youtube.com/dhiyouthmovement dhiyouthmovement@gmail.com
Photo by Toby