President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has inaugurated a five-year National Respect Initiative aimed at promoting mutual respect, strengthening moral values and addressing harmful social behaviour across the Maldives.
The nationwide programme was officially launched at a ceremony held at the Maafannu Track yesterday evening, attended by First Lady Sajidha Mohamed, Vice President Uz Hussain Mohamed Latheef, Speaker of Parliament Abdul Raheem Abdulla, Cabinet ministers and heads of state institutions.
Speaking at the ceremony, Muizzu said national development should involve improving people’s mindsets and moral values alongside developing physical infrastructure.
He reiterated his vision of achieving both material and moral development, saying the initiative would seek to address social attitudes that undermine mutual respect and human dignity.
The President identified ridicule, backbiting and lying as among the harmful practices the initiative aims to eliminate, stressing the importance of building a society in which people treat one another with dignity and respect.
He also said the programme was intended to revitalise Maldivian national identity and establish a civilised society grounded in Islamic principles and national values.
Muizzu unveiled the initiative’s official logo during the inauguration ceremony.
The President first announced plans for the National Respect Initiative during a visit to Mahibadhoo in October 2025, when he called for the revival of traditional values of mutual respect and urged different sectors of society to contribute to the effort.
The five-year programme, launched under the President’s leadership, will be overseen by the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Heritage.
