Ali Rasgefaanu's struggle attests we must not bow down in front of covetous powers: President

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has said that a view towards history, at the jihad (battle) of Ali Rasgefaanu (King Sultan Ali IV), proves to us that we must remain loyal to our nation and refuse to bow down in front of covetous foreign powers.

Commemorating the 46th Martyr's Day today, the President addressed the nation.

In his address, the President asserted that the biggest lesson that Maldivians can learn from the struggle of Ali Rasgefaanu is that victory will be always be with Allah. He stated that victory has nothing to do with the size of a land, or the numbers in a population.

The 1st of Shauban in the Islamic Calendar is marked annually as the Martyr's Day. This is the day when, 480 years ago, Ali Rasgefaanu was martyred by the Portuguese in a battle he fought to protect the Maldives' religion and independence. The day has been officially commemorated for 46 years today.

In his address, the President bemoaned the betrayal of Kalhu Mohamed Rasgefaanu in seeking assistance from Ali Raja. He stated that in these efforts, the Maldivian-led crafts of fishing and weaving coir rope had been handed over to be run by the Malabaris. He further said that under the agreeement they had reached to assume power of the Maldives, half of any ambergris found in the Maldivian seas, gold, shells and produced rope would be handed over to Ali Raja.

President Dr Muizzu further said that Raa Atoll Nikolhas and Noonu Atoll Kendhikulhudhoo had also been given to Ali Raja under the agreement.

The President said that a Martyr's Day had been established in the Maldives following the relationship built with the Portuguese by Kalhu Mohamed Rasgefaanu's grandson, 19 year old Hassan Rasgefaanu.

"The ambergris, coir rope and shells of the Maldives were very valuable commodities at that time. Also, the location of Maldives was very key. That has been noted in Vasco Da Gama's diaries as well. It it for all these reasons that young ninth Hassan Rasgefaanu appealed to the Portuguese who then set their sights on Maldives," the President said.

The President said it is an obligation on every Maldivian today to delve deep into the history of the battle between Maldives and the Portuguese.

"On one side, we are seeing self interest. Maldivians acting in treason towards our own nation. At the same time, we can see how foreign powers act. Their deceitful planning. They enslave the Maldives on the request of a Maldivian. However, they do not even provide him with the power or status that he wanted," the President said.

The President called on the people to reflect on Ali Rasgefaanu's strength of faith, love and commitment to the nation, courage, loyalty, integrity, and the goodwill he had for the people of Maldives.

"Ali Rasgefaanu's jihad speaks to today's politicians. It calls on all to not bow down in front of covetous foreign powers. It calls on Maldivians to guarantee the Maldives' protection and security," the President said.

"Ali Rasgefaanu's jihad speaks to the media. It warns you to not spread false information. Ali Rasgefaanu's jihad speaks to today's youth. It advises you to not lose yourselves, your religion, your nationality in the tides of youth."

The President said that our forefathers had regained Kinolhas and other islands that Kalhu Mohamed Rasgefaanu had given away to foreign powers. He asserted that in this very manner, his administration will reclaim the lost ocean territory of the Maldives. He further asserted that the Maldivian ocean territory will no longer be accessible to foreign armed troops.

"In today's world, we are constantly seeing the struggles of people who do not have power over their own land. Palestine is such an example. We do not wish to see such a time in this peaceful paradise," the President said.

The President beseeched to the people to, above all, be faithful and honest to the nation, and to be respectful towards the religion.