President Muizzu says National Respect Project aims to instil pride in Maldivian identity

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has said the goal is to make Maldivian society a people who uphold human dignity, preserve national heritage, and take pride in Maldivian nationhood and Maldivian identity. He made the remarks while delivering a speech at the inauguration ceremony of the National Respect Project. The President highlighted the importance of the project and its benefits, as well as the quality of respect that existed among Maldivians in the past. Muizzu noted that the beautiful custom that existed among Maldivians in the past was that of showing respect to one another within the family, among friends, in the community and across the whole nation. He added that in every responsibility fulfilled, in every task performed and in all dealings, respect must be present. In connection with remarks he delivered on 17 November 2023, the President highlighted his statement that two types of development would be brought to the Maldives, and said he remains determined to make that pledge a reality. "That is building the country and building the nation. Building the Maldivian land, and building the Maldivian mindset. Raising the Maldivian mind onto the foundations of Islamic principles towards a new cultural horizon. Building the Maldivian Muslim person as a community that upholds human dignity, preserves national heritage, and takes pride in Maldivian nationhood and Maldivian identity. In this way, achieving true, meaningful and comprehensive development. Even tonight, at this moment, I stand with that policy," said President Muizzu. Noting that Almighty Allah created man as the noblest of creations, the President said this should be evident in his deeds and character, and that it is through this that the happiness of a community and the peace of a country come to life. He said that in every human civilisation there are special characteristics that show people's national identity and meaningful signs that indicate the level of their human morals, and among the most prominent of these signs are the qualities of respect found within that people. He also noted that respect is a very broad and deep subject, and that this is a meaningful reality once seen at a very high level among Maldivians. He said that in the past, being mindful of time was a highly regarded quality among Maldivians, whether one was a government employee, an ordinary Maldivian, or the head of an office. "When the island's people were called for work, the people would be present on time back then. The records of office employees were neat. Some people's records will show in the government that even after serving the government for 50 years, they never once arrived late. Among school students too, there are children like this," said President Muizzu. The President said that in the past Maldivians were a kind-hearted people who cared for their neighbours, citing examples from the words of some foreign travellers. He said the noble quality of respect seen among Maldivians at that time, at such a high level, was like the hull planks of a Maldivian boat being joined to the other planks of that boat — a clear proof linked to all things of the Maldivians and of Maldivian identity. He noted that the secret of the nation's endurance over so many eras in such a noble and valuable human reality is the holy religion of Islam, and that Islam is the true origin of all things that are beautiful and good. He also noted that the Holy Quran, the Book of that noble religion and the word of Almighty Allah, offers many noble lessons on showing respect.