President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has pledged that his administration will not take any decision that undermines the Islamic identity, independence or sovereignty of the Maldives, insisting that national development must be pursued without compromising the country’s fundamental values.
Addressing the official Victory Day ceremony at Republic Square in Malé on Tuesday evening, Muizzu said protecting the nation’s religious identity, territorial integrity and independence would remain central to every decision taken by his government.
He gave what he described as an unequivocal assurance that no action under his leadership would weaken the country’s Islamic character or the principles upon which Maldivian nationhood is founded.
The President said the Maldives must pursue ambitious economic and social reforms while maintaining firm boundaries around matters concerning national sovereignty and identity.
He argued that progress should not come at the expense of the country’s long-established values, and that the Maldives must find ways to modernise while preserving what distinguishes it as a nation.
Muizzu called for a renewed focus on national interests, urging Maldivians to look beyond the development achieved by other countries and concentrate on strengthening their own nation’s capabilities.
He said the government had a responsibility to ease the difficulties faced by citizens, particularly younger generations, while creating opportunities for long-term prosperity.
The President also stressed that meaningful development required more than economic growth, calling for equal attention to the moral, social and material advancement of Maldivian society.
According to Muizzu, the country must embrace major changes capable of improving public finances, strengthening state institutions and creating a more self-reliant economy.
He said such reforms would allow the Maldives to finance its own development priorities while improving its ability to engage with other countries from a position of economic strength.
Economic independence, he argued, would provide the foundation for broader national progress and help the Maldives advance towards the standards of developed nations.
The President described development as a right belonging to every Maldivian, saying improvements in living standards, public services and national capabilities would strengthen the country’s standing internationally.
He said his vision was for a Maldives that combined economic prosperity with the preservation of its religious and cultural identity, ensuring that progress benefited both individuals and the wider nation.
Muizzu reiterated that the Maldives’ Islamic identity was not something his administration would place at risk in the pursuit of development.
Islam is constitutionally recognised as the state religion of the Maldives, and the Constitution establishes Islam as one of the foundations of the country’s legal and national identity.
The President said his administration would instead work to strengthen and protect every aspect of Maldivian nationhood, with government policies directed towards safeguarding the country’s independence and long-term security.
His remarks formed part of a broader Victory Day address in which he linked national sovereignty to economic self-sufficiency, stronger defence capabilities and the need to reduce dependence on foreign financial assistance.
Muizzu has repeatedly identified sovereignty and national independence as priorities of his administration since taking office in November 2023.
The government has pursued changes to foreign military arrangements, emphasised a Maldives-first approach to foreign relations and announced measures intended to improve the country’s financial position.
Tuesday’s address came as the Maldives commemorated the 38th anniversary of the failed coup attempt of 3 November 1988, when armed militants working with Maldivian conspirators attempted to overthrow the government of then-President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.
Eight members of the armed forces and 11 civilians were killed during the attack, which was defeated following resistance by Maldivian security personnel and a subsequent Indian military intervention.
Speaking at the same square where the country annually honours those who died, Muizzu said the protection of independence and national identity must continue to guide the Maldives as it pursues its future development.
