President Muizzu Urges National Pride and Unity on National Day

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has called upon Maldivians to embrace National Day as a profound privilege, urging citizens to reflect on the historical sacrifices that secured the nation's sovereignty and identity. Delivering his address at the official National Day ceremony, the President highlighted the pivotal resistance against Portuguese occupation during the reign of the ninth Sultan, Hassan. He noted that when the Sultan compromised religious sanctity and forged harmful foreign alliances to maintain power, the people responded by prioritizing national values and the faith of Islam over individual authority. President Muizzu emphasized that this historical spirit—the unwavering desire for the nation's well-being—is a core inheritance for all Maldivians. He described the occasion as a reminder to fill hearts with patriotism and to honor the ancestors who championed the cause of national liberation. Drawing attention to the scale of the historic struggle, the President pointed out that the liberation effort was not the work of a few, but a nationwide movement. He noted that 40 boats from 40 different islands participated in the uprising, raising the black flag to end oppression. This widespread participation, he argued, proves that national consciousness has always existed across the entire archipelago, regardless of profession or social group. Beyond political sovereignty, President Muizzu highlighted the intrinsic link between the Maldives' independence and its religious identity. He further reminded the audience that Maldivians are fundamentally a people of the sea. Citing the example of the Utheemu Maharadhun, he advocated for equipping the younger generation with the seafaring knowledge and skills that defined their ancestors' success. The President concluded by urging the nation to learn from the wisdom of their predecessors, asserting that the safety and security of the Maldives depend entirely on the collective commitment to putting the nation first.