With a total population of about 500 people, Alif Alif Maalhos has almost no crimes. The residents of this island cannot recall any major unrest or fighting.
“A pair of sunglasses is still there at the end of the road. It was found there a few days ago," Ali Waseem, 32, said as an example of low crime, including theft.
This is not just Waseem's opinion. Everyone who lives in Maalhos believes there are no criminals, no violence and no theft in the island.
But the islanders are now troubled by one question. Who would brutally attack and kill a sleeping man? Who, on this island, would commit such a crime?
Abdul Rahman Adam, 65, who was sleeping in his house, Maahiya, was attacked in his sleep and died as a result of the severe injuries on July 13.
Islanders gathered at the harbor when Abdul Rahman's body was transferred to Male for a post-mortem. -- Photo: Mirash Nashim/ Adhadhu
No suspects!
Maalhos people believe no one from the island would attack Abdul Rahman. They find it difficult to believe that someone from the island could do it.
"I don't think there is anyone in this island who would do such a thing," one person said on condition of anonymity.
He said the fact that crime is extremely low, even when there are no police officers on the island, is proof of his opinion.
Maalhos is one of the only two islands in the Alif Alif atoll that does not have a police station or post. The second island of Feridhoo.
"This is an island where there has never been any unrest. It is a very safe island and the people are very united," said Ahmed Shan, 31, a teacher at Maalhos School.
The islanders added that petty crimes such as theft are also rare in Maalhos. They do not lock the doors for fear of theft. They do not hide their keys in case their bike gets stolen. They do not worry about losing their phone.
“There is equipment used to work on the harbor of this island. No one will take it. Take a walk from one end to the other end of that road. You will see so many things that can be stolen," Shan said.
This is the reason the islanders believe no one from Maalhos is capable of taking someone's life.
The area near Abdul Rahman's home. -- Photo: Mirash Nashim/ Adhadhu
Nothing to suggest any enmity towards Abdul Rahman!
The people of Maalhos do not believe that there is anyone on this island who will treat Abdul Rahman with hostility.
People who spoke to Adhadhu said they were not aware of any problems or arguments with Abdul Rahman.
This is supported by the fact that Abdul Rahman does not usually live in Maalhos. He was a fisherman and went fishing with a group from Ukulhas.
He usually stays in Ukulhas, but his son, Nimal, brought him to Maalhos on July 12.
"I brought my father to this island last Saturday because my mother would be alone. I had to go on a trip to Sri Lanka," Nimal said.
Everyone who knew Abdul Rahman described him as a friendly person.
"[Abdul Rahman] is a friendly person. A lot of people in this atoll will know him; he is friendly with everyone," said a person with family ties to Abdul Rahman.
People in Maalhos. -- Photo: Mirash Nashim/ Adhadhu
The elders of the island say that Abdul Rahman does not have any characteristics that would make someone angry.
“I can’t say Abdul Rahman is a bad person, I don’t see any bad trait in him,” said Hassan Abdullah, 91, one of the oldest people in Maalhos at the moment.
He said he met Abdul Rahman on the evening of July 12 when he was serving tea to people from Inguraidhoo who were visiting the island.
Many people who spoke to Adhadhu about Abdul Rahman's death said they were shocked by the news.
“I found out at 5:30 in the morning, and I thought, was it really something that happened on this island?” one person said.
Abdul Rahman's death has shocked the Maalhos for these reasons. More than 24 hours after the brutal murder, the islanders remain clueless about the suspect.
