Independence cannot be enjoyed fully as long as we are dependent on others, President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom says. He made the remark on Tuesday morning during his address to the nation on the occasion of this year’s Independence Day.
President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom and First Lady Fathimath Ibrahim attended the ceremonial flag-hoisting held on the occasion of this year’s Independence Day. The ceremony was held at the Republic Square, at 0000hrs early Tuesday morning. Upon their arrival at the Republic Square, the President and the First Lady were received by Minister of Home Affairs, Ahmed Zuhoor.
img:http://s4.psmnews.mv/images/660x400/14696390788943.jpg|President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom and First Lady Fathimath Ibrahim at the flag hoisting ceremony held on the occasion of this year's Independence Day - Photo: President's Office
Addressing the nation at the function, President Abdulla Yameen said that independence cannot be enjoyed fully as long as we are dependent on others.
Underlining the importance of the nation’s economic freedom, the President called for continuous efforts in advancing our economy, including increasing investments and other commercial activities. He also noted the significance of increasing employment opportunities, and that of Maldivians being at the helm of the country’s economy. The President called upon all young people and all those in the nation’s workforce to “roll up their sleeves” towards reaching our mutual economic goals.
Independence and freedom does not translate to recklessness of individual actions; and that when a nation’s laws and societal harmony is disrupted it would soon face economic challenges, regardless of previous advances, he said. In such cases a small nation such as the Maldives would likely see greater negative impact, he added.
img:http://s4.psmnews.mv/images/660x400/14696392402725.jpg|President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom addressing the nation at the flag hoisting ceremony held on the occasion of this year's Independence Day - Photo: President's Office
The President underscored the many difficulties being faced by the Maldives as a 100% Islamic nation. The President said that “the administration faces continuous reprisals and pressure calling for freedom of religion in the Maldives, and the Government continues to overcome disruptors of peace and harmony”.
“As a people who respect the sovereignty of other nations, we too must be afforded the same respect,” and he warned that, “by allowing external forces to interfere with domestic affairs we were unwittingly allowing them unwarranted influence in our internal affairs”.
President Yameen further said that his agenda during the presidential election of 2013 was shaped mainly to rebuild the nation, and reiterated that his administration was not engaged in a political rivalry. While highlighting the many achievements of this administration, in the areas of urban, economic and social development, the President said that his main concern was to overcome the challenges facing the nation, and that as the Head of State his aim was to facilitate, for the Maldivian people, joy, prosperity, peace and independence.
img:http://s4.psmnews.mv/images/660x400/14696393009682.jpg|Flag hoisting ceremony held on the occasion of this year's Independence Day - Photo: President's Office
The President spoke, at length, about the threat terrorism poses towards destabilising the nation’s sovereign independence and the administration’s strenuous efforts towards preventing such acts via the formation of the National Counter Terrorism Centre as well as the President’s submission of the State Policy Paper on Terrorism and Violent Extremism for Majlis debate and counsel.
Underlining that the true benefit of economic progress can be enjoyed only by treating social ailments, and building a community on mutual respect, the President noted that his administration sees every individual as equal in the eyes of the law, and said that the judiciary was now a fully separate and independent institution which needed further development to keep pace with the socio-economic developments of the nation.
img:http://s3.psmnews.mv/images/660x400/14696393484836.jpg|Flag hoisting ceremony held on the occasion of this year's Independence Day - Photo: President's Office
Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr. Ahmed Ziyad, during the function, led a special prayer on the occasion of Independence Day.
Former President Dr. Mohamed Waheed & Madam Ilham Hussain, Vice President Abdulla Jihad, Speaker of the Parliament Abdulla Maseeh Mohamed, Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed, Cabinet Ministers, and members of the Parliament also attended the function.