The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has held its annual flag-raising and guard-mounting ceremony at the November 3 Memorial to commemorate Victory Day.
President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Dr Mohamed Muizzu, First Lady Sajidha Mohamed, and Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef attended the ceremony. Also in attendance were cabinet ministers, senior officials, and a large contingent of MNDF personnel.
The ceremony featured the raising of eight flags, each representing one of the eight soldiers who lost their lives in the attack. A moment of silence was observed in honour of the martyrs, followed by a seven-gun salute. The event concluded with a special prayer and the official MNDF song.
Victory Day, observed annually on 3 November, marks the day in 1988 when six traitors colluded with foreign mercenaries in an attempt to seize control of the Maldives. Nineteen Maldivians were martyred in the attack, including eight soldiers and eleven civilians.
The November 3 Memorial stands as a tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defence of the nation. Located in the southwest corner of the army headquarters, the site has hosted the annual flag-raising and guard-mounting ceremony each Victory Day since its establishment.
The memorial’s design symbolises the wall through which terrorists infiltrated the army headquarters during the 1988 attack. At its centre, the sceptre represents the army’s noble jihad in defence of the Maldives’ sovereignty. Surrounding the national flag is an inscription of a Quranic verse and its Dhivehi translation, symbolising the soldiers’ unwavering faith and readiness to defend their religion and country.
Earlier in the day, Victory Day celebrations began with the Fajr prayer offered in congregation by MNDF personnel and attended by the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. Cabinet ministers and senior officials and a large number of soldiers also took part.
Other events held as part of this year’s Victory Day celebrations include the official Victory Day ceremony, military displays, and a special Victory Day Exhibition in Thinadhoo, Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll, the home island of Abdulla Zuhair, the first martyr of the 1988 attack. The exhibition will take place on 7 and 8 November.