President Urges Unity and National Values to Preserve Maldives’ Independence

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has called on all Maldivians to cultivate good habits and uphold national values to safeguard the country’s independence, as he outlined a nationwide infrastructure target for his administration to complete by Independence Day 2028.

Speaking at the official ceremony marking the Maldives’ 61st Independence Day, President Muizzu said integrity, trustworthiness, loyalty, diligence, sincerity, patience and dedication were qualities demonstrated by individuals who had served the state for long periods.

advertisement

He said every Maldivian should embody these qualities to sustain the country’s independence, adding that the Maldives had lost its independence in the past when its people lacked such virtues.

The President said the struggles of national heroes who reclaimed the country’s independence reflected these qualities.

“I remind everyone that we must resolve to work with unity and the qualities I mentioned earlier, putting the nation ahead of ourselves to revive and foster the fundamental pillars of our nationhood in which all these things are interconnected—our sacred religion of Islam, our mother tongue, Dhivehi, and our rich culture. It is certain that this Maldives of ours can be made a true Maldives for Maldivians if each one of us decides to work in this manner,” he said.

President Muizzu said independence involved more than political freedom, and included freedom in foreign and domestic affairs, judicial independence, and economic and social freedom.

He also said the government would continue to prioritise national interests and the interests of the Maldivian people in its foreign policy.

In his address, the President highlighted Islam and Dhivehi as key elements of Maldivian identity and called for renewed efforts to make the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) operational.

He said the Maldives would continue to prioritise peace and remain active in international organisations, particularly those representing small island nations.

The President also stressed the urgency of climate change, saying the Maldives was among the countries most affected by it. He called on larger nations to listen to the concerns of small island states and stressed the importance of climate justice.

2028 Infrastructure Target

President Muizzu also set a nationwide infrastructure target for his administration, pledging to complete essential municipal utilities, public services and community facilities across all inhabited islands by Independence Day 2028.

He said the target included completing water and sewerage projects, establishing waste management sites and centres, opening fitness and recreation centres, building outdoor gyms and children’s parks, and setting up ATMs and dedicated police centres.

The target also includes strengthening healthcare services and laboratories, improving school infrastructure and inclusive education systems, establishing Quran centres and building futsal or football pitches.

The President further pledged to establish electricity infrastructure, including cables and generator sets, across all islands by Independence Day 2028.

Four Receive Highest National Honour

During the ceremony, President Muizzu conferred the Order of the Distinguished Rule of Izzuddin (O.D.R.I.), the Maldives’ highest national honour, on four recipients.

The recipients were Dr Mohamed Latheef, recognised for his decades of public service and contributions to the development of the national education system; Uz Ibrahim Rasheed Moosa, recognised for his contributions as an Islamic scholar, educator and author; tourism pioneer Hussain Afeef; and entrepreneur and philanthropist Mohamed Moosa.

A further 66 individuals were recognised for distinguished service to the State.