In 1984, beneath the salt spray and sun of Fuvahmulah, a journey began with a simple fishing line cast into the sea. Today, that journey reaches a profound milestone: 300 stories documented, archived, and shared with the world through Maldives My Islands.
What began as a personal quest to honor the craftsmanship of our elders and the navigational wisdom of our ancestors has evolved into a living national archive. This platform has become a bridge between the Maldives’ vanishing past and its protected future, documenting the specialized skills, knowledge systems, and lived traditions that define our identity.
About Maldives My Islands: Our Mission
Maldives My Islands is an independent research platform and digital archive dedicated to documenting the soul of the Maldivian archipelago. We explore the Maldives not merely as a destination, but as a living environment shaped by centuries of tradition, resilience, and nature. Our work is anchored in four core perspectives:
- History & Culture: Moving beyond dates to capture lived experiences, architectural memory, and the social fabric of our islands.
- Fisheries: Honoring the ancestral wisdom of the Keyolhu and documenting the sophisticated traditional methods that have sustained us for generations.
- Biodiversity: Providing a technical and visual record of our marine life, from reef-dwelling species to the “Sentinels of the Archipelago.”
- Folklore: Preserving oral traditions and Fanditha legends that offer a unique psychological and spiritual map of our identity.
The Invisible Labor of Knowledge
Behind every story lies an unseen ocean of research. To ensure that Maldives My Islands reflects not only passion but authenticity and accuracy, I immersed myself in thousands of research articles and academic papers across all core categories of the website.
Collecting, downloading, printing, and archiving these materials became a journey of its own. Reading countless studies, historical records, scientific papers, ethnographic works, and technical reports was not easy. Yet it was essential. High-quality content cannot exist without rigorous understanding, and genuine documentation cannot be built on surface knowledge.
Every research paper was carefully reviewed, printed, archived, and preserved for reference. The process of collecting, organizing, and summarizing this vast body of knowledge was daunting at times, but it was a necessary effort to ensure that each article published on Maldives My Islands stands on a foundation of verified information and lived reality.
This quiet, patient, and often solitary labor has shaped the depth and credibility of the archive. It is a reminder that preserving heritage is not only about telling stories, but also about honoring truth through disciplined research.
Toward a Living Compendium
From the beginning, my aim has been to build Maldives My Islands not merely as a collection of articles, but as a compendium—a comprehensive, evolving body of knowledge that brings together culture, fisheries, biodiversity, history, and folklore within a single living archive.
Even at this stage, Maldives My Islands stands as the largest digital archive of its kind dedicated to the Maldivian archipelago, both in scope and depth. Each article is grounded in research, lived experience, and visual documentation, forming a body of work unmatched in its thematic range and methodological approach.
By the end of July 2026, this platform will reach 500 documented articles. By the end of the same year, the target is 1,000 articles. When achieved, Maldives My Islands will further solidify its position as the most extensive digital compendium documenting Maldivian heritage, traditional knowledge, and biodiversity.
This growth is not driven by volume alone. Every article adds depth, context, and continuity—ensuring that the knowledge of our elders, the practices of our fishermen, and the living systems of our seas are preserved with accuracy and respect for future generations.
A Symphony of Support
A voyage of this magnitude cannot be sailed alone. If I am the navigator of this platform, then the individuals and organizations named here are the winds and currents that have propelled us forward. To reach 300 articles is to celebrate a community that understands our biodiversity and culture to be the republic’s most valuable assets.
The Foundations: Visionaries and Sponsors
The digital transformation of these stories required belief and early support. I am eternally grateful to Ismail Rafeeq (Mayor of Fuvahmulah), whose encouragement was instrumental in establishing our first digital footprint.
Our growth has been sustained by the leadership of Abdulla Saeed (Managing Director, Cyprea Pvt Ltd) and Ibrahim Rafeeq (Managing Director, Rainbow Enterprises), alongside the steadfast partnership of Alia Investment, MTCC, Sea Gear, Hai Fishing, Donad Investment, and Meditime Pvt Ltd. Their investment is, in truth, an investment in the collective memory of our islands.
The Architects: Crafting the Experience
Building a world-class platform required a dedicated crew. The conceptual soul of our content has been shaped by the guidance of Saffaf Naseer (Kabbaa). Our technical and creative launch was made possible by Ahmed Najah Ibrahim (Andy), who also helped unearth deep histories, and Ali Shiyaz, whose creative videos are true masterpieces. Behind the code stands our developer, Alim, who transformed vision into reality. I would also like to thank Shaxym Shattu and Raappey for organizing the event and facilitating the sound equipment on such short notice.
Guides, Keepers of Knowledge, and Story Carriers
Every archive is strengthened by those who share wisdom and lived experience. I extend my sincere gratitude to Xavier Romero-Firas, whose early guidance led me to choose the name MaldivesMyIslands.com.
The depth of our fishing and cultural heritage was enriched by generations of experience. I am indebted to Badhuru Naseer, Mohamed Niyaz, and Ahmed of Dheeframge, one of Fuvahmulah’s great fishermen, whose practical wisdom added rare authenticity to our records. For historical grounding, I offer heartfelt thanks to Mohamed Ali of Fuvahmulah, whose insights ensured depth and accuracy across many narratives.
The Lens and the Brush: Capturing the Invisible
The technical depth of our marine biodiversity series rests on the work of Adam Juman of Thoddoo, a talented photographer and drone pilot; Zafar Ali of Fuvahmulah, for underwater photography and videography; my cousin Hussain Rafeeq, for drone footage and photographs of Fuvahmulah; Muttey Mohamed, Nasiu Thaath, and Yaeesh Mohamed for their valuable visual contributions; and the skilled Maldivian spearo Muax (Gut Muaa), whose exceptional spearfishing photographs capture the spirit of the hunt—alongside the Fuvahmulah collective Nasheed (Lonu), Ahmed Inah, and Sifah Saeed, whose lenses capture wonders words alone cannot describe.
Lonu holds a special place in this journey as the very first contributor of marine life documentation. At a time when this platform was still taking shape, he generously shared a vast collection of photographs and videos. His early belief, continued support, and generosity make him not just a contributor, but a pillar of this website.
Visual storytelling is essential to preserving heritage. I thank the prominent Maldivian architect Mauroof Jameel for allowing me to embed his remarkable sketches, and Fathimath Mahy and Hussain Sharif, whose illustrations bring warmth and life to stories that span generations.
The Quiet Guardians of Quality
No archive earns trust without precision. I am deeply grateful to Hilath Rasheed and Safaah Farooq, who proofread the foundation of this website and helped establish the credibility that Maldives My Islands carries today.
A Momentous Beginning
Our official entry into the Maldivian digital space was marked by a celebration at Gnaviyani Atoll School. I owe special gratitude to Shabana Hameed, who hosted the launch ceremony, and to the school itself for providing the perfect venue to gather our community.
Beyond 300 Horizons
Three hundred stories are not an ending—they are a foundation. This archive stands as a promise: that the knowledge of our elders, the skill of our fishermen, the rhythm of our islands, and the soul of our seas will not be forgotten.
Maldives My Islands belongs to everyone who believes that heritage is not something we leave behind—but something we carry forward.
