Former Tourism Minister Dr. Mustafa Lutfi has released a novel, "Shariah" (Trial), depicting the life of a Addu migrant to Male who dares to dream big.
Lutfi, one of the shortest serving ministers in President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom's cabinet, however, said that the novel "is not political" though it depicts the social, economic and political realities of the 1970s and 1980s when the once glorious atoll of Addu started decaying when the British left its military base at Gan island for good. The novel traces the life of a character named Jaleel who hopes to run a successful business in Male when with a twist of fate his world is turned upside down.
Lutfi insisted that his novel was a "romance set in the 1970s and 1980s" tracing the life of Jaleel and a female character named Maryam. Lutfi himself is from Addu and resigned from the government after he was transferred when he was several months into his job. The former minister later criticized the government for not giving him enough time to prove himself.
The book's "premiere" was held on March 17 at the Youth Center in Male; it was launched by Abdulla Sodiq from the National Council on Linguistic and Historical Research, who commented that the book is a good depiction of all facets of current life in Maldives.
A graduate in Dhivehi language praised Lutfi for "employing a host of emotions ranging from anger, love, resentment to sentiment" to convey the life of the protagonist as he embarks on his difficult journey in Male. The people of Addu, famed for their enterprising nature, now control most of the Maldives' economy with successes in businesses, trade and tourism. Though Lutfi is not generally known for his literary adventures, "Shariah" is his third novel. He said that his fourth novel, titled "Campaign", will be released in two months. "Shariah", written in Dhivehi, sells at Rf50 (US$3.9).
Source: Haveeru
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