Today is the 50th anniversary of Maldivian independence, and even though gaining independence is an extraordinary landmark in our history, it is saddening to think there is no important historical item to remember it by.
The only historical artifact relating to our independence is a pen released in 1941 by the American company ‘Parker’. The pen is 1/10” 12 carat rolled-gold pen from the ‘Parker 51’ series. Although this brand of pen was taken out of the market in 1974, one of those pens is sought after by many Maldivians.
This particular pen is the one which was used by President Ibrahim Nasir to sign the declaration of Maldivian independence. Its historical significance makes the pen very valuable and sought after by many people.
The pen currently resides with former Maldivian Ambassador to Ceylon Abdul Sattar Moosa Didi who is given the title Nishaan Izzuddheen - a major player in the signing of the declaration of independence.
The question is why such an important pen is in the hands of Abdul Sattar.
After signing the declaration of independence, Nasir himself had given it to Abdul Sattar as a gift while residing in the Maldives High Commission in Sri Lanka. Abdul Sattar believes that it was to acknowledge the work done to gain our independence.
Abdul Sattar Moosa Didi was a key player during the discussions between the Maldivian and English government in the works to gain independence. He was in-charge of guiding the negotiations according to the vision of President Nasir. At the time, Abdul Sattar was also the Maldivian ambassador to Sri Lanka. After Ibrahim Nasir, Abdul Sattar is the most deserving of the honor and praise for our independence.
Abdul Sattar is also the most qualified when it comes to talking about the golden jubilee celebrations. Every year during the day of the anniversary, he has and continues to educate the people on the work that was done to gain Maldivian independence.
Abdul Sattar said that he at first did not recognize the significance when given the pen, but that he later understood and is now keeping it safe and hidden inside his house.
Abdul Sattar still has the opportunity to sell the pen at a high price, but he does not wish to. And even though the pen is deserving of being placed in a museum due to its historical significance, Abdul Sattar does not have the inclination of giving it to anyone as long as he remains alive. He hopes that once he has passed, his associates will do as he had requested.
Abdul Sattar Moosa Didi said that the pen is special for other reasons as well. In 1972, it was used by the Queen of England to sign in to the President’s Office ‘Guest List’ during her first and only visit to Maldives. It was also used by the Sri Lankan Prime Minister for the same purpose.
Abdul Sattar admits that he does not know the origin of the pen, but he believes that Nasir had gotten the pen in Male’ or neighboring Lanka, because of the expensive price of the Parker 51 series, as well as the difficulty of acquiring such a pen.
While the 50th year anniversary of Maldivian independence is being celebrated today, the most important artifact for remembering it is the pen used by Nasir to sign the declaration of independence. It is also an honor to have a person such as Abdul Sattar, who played an important role in the signing, during these celebrations.