President Says Muhammad Thakurufaanu’s Legacy Embodies Maldivian Governance

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has said the core philosophy of Maldivian governance is embodied in the life and example of Utheemu Mahaaradhun, Sultan Al-Ghaazee Muhammad Thakurufaanu Al-Auzam.

Speaking at the official National Day ceremony in Haa Alifu Atoll, Utheemu, today, President Muizzu highlighted lessons from Muhammad Thakurufaanu’s leadership as both a wartime strategist and ruler who guided the country’s domestic and foreign affairs during a sensitive period in its history.

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The President highlighted Muhammad Thakurufaanu’s diplomatic skills as a key factor in the success of the struggle against Portuguese rule.

“Another special skill of the Great King of Utheemu was his diplomacy. He maintained close interactions with the Portuguese. Just as he did with the Maldivians, he gained their trust as well. By maintaining smooth relations with them, he built the Kalhuohfummi and secretly prepared for war. This shows that we must not dissolve into foreign powers,” he said.

President Muizuz also highlighted Muhammad Thakurufaanu’s mastery of the sea and his acquisition of vital maritime knowledge and skills of his era.

He said the national hero united scattered island communities around a shared purpose and resolve as they prepared to resist Portuguese colonial rule.

He said lessons could also be drawn from the tactical strategies used during the struggle and Muhammad Thakurufaanu’s commitment to safeguarding Islam.

President Muizzu Calls for National Unity

In his address, President Muizzu also said National Day serves as a reminder that “a nation united in patriotism is a nation bound for fortune”.

Reflecting on the events that led to Portuguese rule in the Maldives, he recalled how Sultan Abu Bakuru II and Sultan Ali VI set aside their political differences and reconciled in the national interest following the betrayal of Islam and the Maldivian nation by Sultan Hassan IX.

The President said political leaders and Maldivians at the time prioritised the national interest and Islamic faith by rejecting Sultan Hassan IX’s position against the nation and its religion.

He said National Day demonstrates that, although some individuals may stray, Maldivians and their ancestors have remained committed to the nation and its values.

President Muizzu called on Maldivians to revive the virtues and values that once distinguished the Maldivian people and build harmony through a shared national vision and spirit.

He urged Maldivians to remain united with one spirit and purpose, rise above divisions and preserve the Maldives as a peaceful and happy home for all.

The President also stressed that Maldivians must not lose their identity among foreign powers and should remain firmly rooted in their faith, national sovereignty and independence.