The Man Of All Islands

Mohamed Ameen visits Addu. In Male’, he has listened to Buchaa’s version of events. Enemies of Afeef’s family in Hithadhoo are also capitalising on the situation; accusations of threats and black magic rites against Hassan Fareed combine with rumours of letters between the British and Abdulla Afeef discussing Addu’s possible succession to Britain. Afeef has formed friendly relationships with the British, and when Ameen demandeds to see all correspondence, he interpretes Afeef’s reticence as a sign of guilt. Abdullah Afeef and other members of his family and friends are taken to Male’, convicted, tied prostrate face-down on the ground and publicly flogged with a long rod of several bound rattan canes. Chilli powder is poured into their open cuts, leaving life-long scars. The men are then exiled to other atolls for years. Afeef is exiled for seven years.
Regarding the suggestion of regular inspection visits to Male’ from Ceylon, the British governor wrote on 26 July that ‘the government of the Maldives is extremely sensitive in regard to such measures and would not welcome the suggestion.’