President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has called on Maldivians to guard against division and discord that could harm the country, urging the public to place the nation’s sovereignty, independence and identity above personal interests.
The President made the appeal in a message issued on the occasion of National Day, as the Maldives commemorates the liberation of the country from Portuguese rule more than four centuries ago.
Reflecting on the historical significance of the day, President Muizzu said National Day takes Maldivians back 467 years to the struggle led by national heroes who fought to free the country from foreign occupation.
He said the occasion serves not only as a celebration of that victory, but also as a reminder of the circumstances that allowed foreign powers to gain control of the Maldives at different points in its history.
According to the President, history shows that whenever the country’s sovereignty was compromised, betrayal by individuals who placed their own interests ahead of the nation’s wellbeing played a significant role.
Muizzu said Maldivians today must therefore remain determined not to allow such experiences to be repeated.
“Shall we be a people who uphold this nation’s sovereignty, independence and identity, and block any discord that could bring harm to the country and its citizens?” the President asked in his message.
He called on the public to embrace the principle of placing the country above all else and urged younger generations in particular to keep a strong sense of Maldivian national identity alive.
National Day commemorates the liberation of the Maldives from Portuguese rule by Al-Sultan Al-Ghaazee Muhammad Thakurufaanu Al-Auzam, one of the most prominent figures in Maldivian history.
Portuguese forces established control over Malé in the 16th century, beginning a period traditionally remembered in Maldivian history as one of foreign occupation.
Muhammad Thakurufaanu, together with his companions, subsequently waged a campaign against the Portuguese before successfully liberating Malé. His victory remains one of the defining events in the country’s history and is commemorated each year as National Day.
The occasion is observed annually on the first day of Rabee-ul-Awwal in the Islamic calendar.
President Muizzu and First Lady Sajidha Mohamed attended the official National Day flag-hoisting ceremony at Republic Square on Friday morning.
This year’s main official National Day gathering is scheduled to be held on Saturday morning in HA. Utheemu, the home island of Muhammad Thakurufaanu and a location deeply connected to the history of the country’s liberation.
In his National Day message, President Muizzu urged Maldivians to draw lessons from that history and remain united in protecting the country’s independence and national identity.
