President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has said that every time Maldivians have risen to defend the nation, it has begun with a spiritual conviction to safeguard the religion, adding that Islam is the greatest protection for the Maldivian nation.
The President said the Islamic guidance received by Maldivians was a mercy granted by Allah for their lives in this world and the Hereafter. He said it was Islam that brought people out of the darkness of false polytheism and gave dignity to humanity.
The President said that, in order to fully appreciate the guidance provided by Islam, Maldivians must reflect on the conditions that existed in the Maldives 900 years ago, before the arrival of Islam, and the changes brought about by the religion.
He said the security, hope and happiness that Islam has brought to individual, social, political and national life are realities that must be understood and passed on to future generations.
The President said people should reflect on the protection and security provided to every individual under Islamic Sharia. He said the beautiful principles of Islam include the protection of religion and the right to life, the protection of the intellect, and safeguarding the dignity and honour of every person.
The President said that if Islam is implemented in a manner that fulfils the five major objectives of Islamic Sharia, society would become one in which people treat one another as kind-hearted brothers and sisters.
He said such a society would see people sharing one another’s feelings, supporting each other in their work and sacrifices, and becoming helpful, compassionate, farsighted, knowledgeable and patient, creating a deeply civilised community.
The President said a nation built on such principles would enjoy an exceptionally strong sense of unity.
“In such a human community, people would naturally care about one another’s safety. This is because everyone within it knows that they are one family and one community. Everyone understands that even the smallest harm suffered by another is also a pain suffered by oneself,” the President said.
The President said the result of such a society would be a nation that remains constantly vigilant.
He said that when the knowledge, courage, prayers and assistance of its people come together, the result would be a strong and secure state. He added that it would be a nation capable of raising the flag of independence with confidence in all circumstances and in every sense.
“They will not allow any loss to come to them in religious terms, politically or in terms of sovereignty. They are a people who remain vigilant to protect the nation and homeland from threats that may arise from within or outside. The result is that it becomes difficult to destroy such a nation or weaken it,” the President said.
The President said the occasion being commemorated today marks the honour and joy of the Maldivian people’s migration from the darkness of this world and the Hereafter to the happiness of this world and the Hereafter.
He said that while looking back at history reveals the blessing that Maldivians have received, looking towards the vast horizon of the future reveals the objectives that must still be achieved.
The President called on Maldivians to always remember the great blessing of Islam.