President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has stated that the resolve on National Day should be to instill civilized qualities in society, specifically renewing the determination to revive within the Maldivian nation the feeling of being one people who value each other, show consideration for each other, and pay respect to one another in every sense.

Speaking at the official National Day function held this morning in HA. Utheemu, the President stated that both from the successful life of today's hero, Bodu Thakurufaanu, and from the principles of the noble religion of Islam, the most solid foundation of human spiritual development we see is morality.

"That is the main foundation of building a nation. Without a doubt, the highest human adornment and shield for human beings is good character (makarim al-akhlaq)," the President stated.

President Muizzu stated that the meaning of morality in the context of a nation is very broad. While in a family context it is the consideration born from the respect, compassion, and love that family members should have for one another, in a societal context it means taking care of the social values present among that group, the President said.

"In the context of a nation, it is maintaining balance in all affairs of the whole country. Respecting the maintenance of administrative principles, fulfilling national duties and responsibilities in their fullest form, implementing laws, regulations, and policies, and obeying laws, regulations, and policies."

The President stated that social values are therefore also a domain to which we must give high priority, and because peace for the nation, society, family, and oneself is brought about through these things, our conduct and relationships should be shaped to protect social values.

"The guidance of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) must not vanish from our hearts for even a single moment. What is that advice? The example of the believers in their mutual love, mercy, and compassion is like that of a single body. If one limb of that body suffers pain, the whole body responds to it with sleeplessness and fever."

The President stated that this value can be fulfilled even through simple, small actions, noting that if one can say "thank you" to the driver while getting out after finishing a taxi trip, that driver will feel great contentment.

"If one can wait for the person coming behind while entering a lift, what a great happiness that would be for them? While walking on the sidewalk, if one walks with consideration so that others have space, how much affection and respect would be created in their hearts towards such a person?"

President Muizzu stated that even if your neighbor is an unknown stranger, knowing that a neighbor remains a neighbor, and if the position, esteem, respect, and care that Islam mandates for neighbors are extended from your side to the neighbor, unfamiliarity will turn into familiarity, creating a safe and pleasant environment in the surroundings where you live.

"Even if it is an unnecessary story, or not a sensible story at all, if one listens patiently and responds with a smile and respect, without the person who told that story feeling embarrassed or demeaned, how much satisfaction and gratitude will be created in their heart towards you?" the President stated.

The President stated that arriving at the office on time, spending time diligently on office work, not making medical leaves a habit, and fulfilling assigned duties and responsibilities with care, and if one can spend each day working in this manner until office hours end, that is a good reputation the state receives from such an employee as well.

"By no means am I saying not to use the rights and conveniences we have obtained in modern times. But what I ask for is to be trustworthy, diligent, honest, and responsible in work ethic as well. Yes, to show respect to work ethic. If office heads and employees can show respect to work ethic in this manner, what a great satisfaction that brings to the citizens who come to seek service?"

The President stated that respect must therefore exist in a nation in every sense, in every domain, and at every level, and the ethics of showing respect must be cultivated from the family up to national responsibilities.

"True peace will come to the nation, the security of the nation will be ensured, meaningful development will be achieved for the nation, and physical development, economic development, and social development will be fulfilled when the thinking and mindset of the nation's individuals are developed in this manner," the President stated.

President Muizzu stated that National Day teaches us many such things, and that National Day encourages us to restore the beautiful, noble moral qualities that Maldivians possessed in the past.

"National Day reminds us to stay away from divisions. In that way, for the Maldives of Maldivians, the nation of Maldivians, to remain a happy, peaceful place."