President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has called on educated Maldivians to take the lead in addressing the nation’s societal challenges, stressing the need for a collective moral compass rooted in Islamic values to guide the country’s future.
Speaking at the Islamic University of Maldives’ 2025 convocation ceremony held Saturday night, the President emphasized that meaningful reform can only be achieved when educated individuals step up to confront and eliminate social issues that harm the fabric of the community.
In a keynote speech delivered as the guest of honour, President Muizzu said the responsibility of steering the nation in the right direction lies heavily with those who are educated. “This is a 100 per cent Islamic nation. The duty of instilling moral values cannot be ignored—it is an obligation,” he told the graduating students.
He further reflected on the need for a national mindset shift. “Without ideas, without a sincere desire to move in the right direction, how can we expect progress?” he asked. He urged graduates to be not only contributors to the workforce, but active participants in uplifting society through ethical leadership.
During the ceremony, the President also reiterated his administration’s commitment to strengthening the Islamic University, outlining several key development plans. Among them was a renewed push to complete the long-delayed ‘Sanabil’ project—a Waqf-funded building financed through Sukuk bonds. The project has remained stalled for years, but President Muizzu assured that his government will expedite its completion.
He also revealed new infrastructure goals for the university, including the allocation of a large plot of land in Hulhumalé for the construction of a new IUM campus. “Shaping the future of this university is a goal I am committed to. We will continue expanding the space and resources necessary to support its growth,” he said.
President Muizzu announced plans to extend IUM’s presence to the outer atolls as well, aiming to make Islamic education more accessible to students across the country.
Closing his remarks, the President congratulated the graduates and reminded them that their education must serve a greater purpose. “Your degrees are not just personal achievements—they are tools to build a stronger, more principled society,” he said.
The ceremony marked yet another instance of the President’s ongoing engagement with the country’s youth and education sector, highlighting his administration’s focus on values-based nation-building through higher education.
