Mariyam Mohamed

This is something I have often reflected on throughout my career. I have met people from all walks of life. Some are incredibly wealthy, holding positions of influence and power. Others are struggling financially and trying their best to get through life one day at a time. Some have impressive qualifications and achievements, while others have never had the opportunity to pursue higher education. Yet despite these differences, I have noticed something that continues to intrigue me. Many people, regardless of their financial status, background, or success, carry wounds related to their self-worth. More importantly, many can recall specific individuals who made them feel less than, inferior, or somehow beneath others. It made me wonder: Why does this happen? Why can one comment, one interaction, or one relationship leave a person questioning their value? Why do some people walk confidently into any room while others immediately feel small? The answer is much deeper than confidence alone...

As I sit and observe life within our Maldivian society, I realize something deeply human: most emotional struggles are connected to relationships, expectations, attachment, and the need for emotional safety. Human beings are social creatures. We were never designed to survive emotionally alone. A child needs safety. A mother needs emotional support. A father needs respect and reassurance. Communities need connection to function. Even the strongest person still desires to feel seen, valued, understood, and emotionally safe. Yet many people live in emotional deprivation while being surrounded by people. That is the contradiction of modern life. We are connected digitally, but disconnected emotionally, and the body notices this. In the Maldives, people are closely connected through family, island communities, religion, friendships, and social circles. We grow up in environments where community matters deeply. Families are often the emotional center of life, and support systems shape ho...

The Maldives is now entering a phase where population ageing is becoming a national concern. Fertility rates are falling. Fewer people are having children. The conversation is slowly becoming louder: Who will carry the country forward in the future? Who will become the next workforce? Who will take leadership positions? Who will support an ageing society? Research already shows that the Maldives is projected to become an “ageing society” by 2031 and an “aged society” by 2044. At the same time, fertility rates have dropped below replacement level.  But the real question is this: Are we, as a country, truly creating conditions where ordinary Maldivians can comfortably start and sustain families? Because before speaking about population growth, birth rates, or the future generation, we need to look at something more basic — human survival. A human being first needs: Proper healthcare Healthy and affordable food Safe shelter Financial stability Access to education Emotional and social...

There is a version of success we all imagine: calm, clear, and rewarding. We picture doors opening, people supporting us, and everything aligning smoothly. But what I have come to understand, through observation, reflection, and lived experiences, both my own and others, is this: When Allah prepares a person for real success, it rarely begins with ease. It begins with disruption. It begins with pressure, with uncertainty, with doors closing without explanation. It begins with situations that push you emotionally, mentally, and even spiritually beyond what you thought you could handle. In those moments, it doesn’t feel like success. It feels like everything is falling apart. But what if nothing is falling apart? What if everything is being rearranged? The Illusion of Chaos vs. The Reality of Divine Order From a psychological lens, the human brain seeks safety. It wants predictability, stability, and control. When those are taken away, the brain signals distress. That is why chaos fee...