President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, addressing the nation on the occasion of National Day, issued a resolute appeal for Maldivians to assume personal responsibility in safeguarding and transmitting the country’s identity. Speaking at the official ceremony held in Utheemu, Haa Alifu Atoll, he underscored that this imperative extends beyond governmental mandate and rests fundamentally with the citizenry.
“The most paramount tasks include revitalising and developing the national identity rooted in our hearts and ensuring its transmission to future generations,” he said. “Only then will the nation truly advance as a cohesive entity.”
The president stressed that while governments are entrusted with executing development projects, the deeper work of national progress must be undertaken by individuals. He called for a collective cultivation of intellectual and moral integrity, identifying the youth as central to conveying the legacy of Maldivian identity forged through the sacrifices of past heroes.
“Governments will undertake the responsibilities that fall within their purview; they will execute development projects,” the president stated. “However, genuine progress is a task incumbent upon each individual. We must cultivate our minds.”
The ceremony, held in the historically significant island of Utheemu, also served as a moment of national recognition. President Muizzu commended the residents for their enduring efforts in preserving Utheemu Ganduvaru, a palace and heritage site maintained for approximately 500 years. He also extended congratulations to the recipients of the National Award of Honour, the National Award for Recognition, and the Order of the Dignified Rule of the Dhiyamigili Dynasty (ODRDD).
Turning to broader societal concerns, the president expressed disquiet over a discernible shift in values. He lamented the erosion of qualities once emblematic of Maldivian character and noted a growing tendency for individuals to infringe upon one another’s rights, diverging from the aspirations of the nation’s forebears.
He specifically criticised the misuse of freedom of expression to engage in defamatory rhetoric and reputation attacks, urging a return to the virtues that once defined Maldivian society. “Freedom of expression, and indeed the liberty to articulate any thought, must inherently operate within defined limits,” he said. “Similarly, the actions individuals undertake, and the rights they exercise, must also be circumscribed by specific boundaries. Ultimately, every right must exist within a framework of limitations.”
In closing, President Muizzu called for moral and spiritual renewal, urging citizens to adhere to the path illuminated by Islamic teachings. He warned that failure to do so could result in the erosion of the distinct Maldivian identity and called for a recommitment to trustworthiness and sincerity in national service. Comprehensive national development, he asserted, depends on this shared resolve.