Sustaining the spirit of freedom and firmly upholding national sovereignty depends entirely on "the collective heart, hand, and help of every single one of us," Heena Waleed, the Minister of Arts, Culture and Heritage, declared on the occasion of the Independence Day.
Invoking the words of the late Ibrahim Shihab, a renowned Maldivian political analyst, Minister Heena underscored that national independence will endure "by maintaining friendship and cooperation among individuals, within society, and across the entire nation, with everyone safeguarding each other's interests, and remaining safe from discord and corruption." Urging national solidarity amidst differing political views, the minister called on citizens to respond with "love and a pure heart" whenever summoned in the name of the country, uniting behind the overarching interests of the state.
The address was delivered to mark the 61st observance of 26 July since the proclamation of the Maldives as an independent sovereign state in 1966. The ceremony held to mark the occasion was attended by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, First Lady Sajidha Mohamed, Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef and his spouse, alongside heads of state institutions and distinguished dignitaries.
Extending congratulations to President Muizzu, his spouse, and the Maldivian people, Minister Heena lauded the head of state as a leader elected on an explicit pledge to "protect independence and nurture and sustain nationalism." That mandate, she noted, ensures that the administration places its highest priority on preserving national sovereignty and expanding its horizons.
Reframing sovereignty beyond legal agreements, Minister Heena asserted that independence is "not merely a bilateral agreement," but the global acknowledgment of the distinct character of a people. "The strongest argument we must present in our declaration of independence is our rich culture, our unique traits, our identity, and our nationalism," she asserted.
As the Maldives celebrates its Independence Day on 26 July, Minister Heena observed that Maldivian independence possesses a history spanning thousands of years, sustained across centuries by "the spirit of freedom faithfully passed down from generation to generation." Preserving that heritage, she explained, requires transmitting both past bitter experiences and future risks to younger generations, ensuring fidelity to national character within an interconnected world.
Reflecting on darker chapters in the national historical narrative, Minister Heena cautioned that historical failures of independence were consistently linked to internal complicity. Citing historic trials, including Ali Rasgefaanu being abandoned on the battlefield as two divisions turned their backs, the betrayal by the two sons of Hassan Thaajuddeen, and the forced signing of the Protection Agreement, she highlighted a recurring lesson: "whenever our independence has faltered, somewhere at its root, a faction of our own people was there."
Characterising nationalism as "the thread that binds us all together" and the indisputable foundation of society, Minister Heena detailed policy efforts aimed at elevating these core traits. "True courage can only be awakened, and true strength forged within our arms, when there is an unyielding resolve beating within our hearts," she stated, describing the effort to secure a rightful place for nationalism as "the hardest, yet most vital task undertaken to preserve independence."
Minister Heena concluded her address with prayers for divine blessings upon the nation's heroes and martyrs of freedom, expressing gratitude to all guardians of liberty and calling for the perpetual preservation of Maldivian sovereignty.