Islam Underpins Maldives’ Sovereignty and Independence, says President Muizzu

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has said that whenever Maldivians have risen to defend the nation, they have done so with the conviction that they were also protecting their religion.

The President made the remarks while addressing a ceremony in Hulhumalé Central Park last night, marking 900 years since the Maldives embraced Islam, saying Islam remains central to Maldivian nationhood, cultural sovereignty and independence.

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Muizzu said the continued existence of the Maldives as a 100 per cent Islamic state is the country’s strongest safeguard, and that Islamic values have shaped Maldivian society and contributed to its peace and security.

He said Islam had transformed Maldivian society following the country’s conversion, replacing polytheism and social inequality with the principle that all people are equal before Allah while protecting human life, dignity and property.

މާތްﷲގެ ޙަޟްރަތަށް ޙަމްދާއި ޝުކުރު ދަންނަވަން. އިސްލާމްދީނުގެ އަލިގަދަ ނޫރުން ދިވެހީންގެ ހިތްތަކަށް އުޖާލާކަން ލިބުނުތާ 900 އަހަރު ވެފައިވާއިރު، ދަރިފަސްކޮޅަކަށް ފަހު ދަރިފަސްކޮޅެއް ދިވެހީން މި ވޭތުކުރީ ދިވެހި ޤައުމިއްޔަތުގެ އެންމެ ވަރުގަދަ ތަނބަކީ އިސްލާމްދީން ކަމުގައި… pic.twitter.com/pvfzHIAFWe— Dr Mohamed Muizzu (@MMuizzu) September 12, 2026

The President also highlighted the importance of protecting the intellect, describing intoxicating substances as a major threat to families and communities. He called for collective efforts to develop a productive and responsible generation through what he described as reform of the mind.

Muizzu announced the establishment of Maldives Awqaf Investments Limited, a national endowment company intended to generate sustainable financial resources for religious activities while supporting social and infrastructure development.

The company will undertake business activities permitted under Islam and use the resulting resources to support religious purposes and contribute to the government’s development goals, including its target of making the Maldives a developed nation by 2040.

Referring to historical resistance against foreign rule, Muizzu cited Utheemu Bodu Thakurufaanu’s struggle against the Portuguese as an example of Maldivians defending both the nation and their faith.

He said Maldivians had remained steadfast in their religion throughout history and urged citizens to maintain that commitment amid the challenges posed by an increasingly globalised world.

In a separate message marking the anniversary, Muizzu described Islam as the cornerstone of Maldivian nationhood and credited the religion with contributing to the country’s development and achievements.

He said Islam had protected the Maldives’ peace and security in the past and would continue to do so, while calling for the nation’s continued development, peace and security.

The ceremony also saw the unveiling of the official logo and slogan for the year-long commemoration of the 900th anniversary of the Maldives embracing Islam.