President Dr Mohamed Muizzu stated last night that Islam is the core of the Maldives' cultural sovereignty and independence, adding that maintaining the country's status as a 100 percent Islamic State is it's strongest shield.
While speaking at a ceremony held last night at the Hulhumale' Central Park to commemorate 900 Hijri years since the Maldives embraced Islam, President Muizzu emphasized that the protections brought by Islam to Maldivian's individual, social and national lives are an important reality that must be passed down to future generations. He stressed upon the five pillars of Islam and noted that the protection afforded by Islam across all aspects of life has contributed strongly towards shaping society into a peaceful community.
The President reflected on how the adoption of Islam dispelled the darkness of polytheism and social woes that previously ailed Maldivian society before its conversion to Islam. Adopting Islam instilled the values of equality of all persons and established a culture of safeguarding human sanctity and dignity, he said.
President Muizzu also spoke about the ills of illicit drugs and narcotics and described these as a major threat that destroys families and communities. Society can be saved from such ills through committed adherence to Islamic principles, he stressed, encouraging a collective effort to nurture a productive and disciplined generation through improved intellectuality and thoughtfulness, and a shift in attitudes.
At last night's ceremony, President Muizzu also announced the established of the Maldives Awqaf Investments Limited, designed to fund religious activities alongside social and infrastructure development projects. He expressed confidence that this new entity will contribute towards revitalizing religious matters and related financial affairs.
The Maldives Awqaf Investments Limited is designed to undertake sustainable business activities that fall within Islamic Shariah and expand financial resources for religious activities, as well as contributing towards broader national development efforts to assist Maldives' aspiration to become a developed nation by 2040.
Reflecting on Maldives' rich history, President Muizzu pointed out that Maldivians had historically always stepped up to defend the nation with the spiritual conviction of safeguarding Islam. He mentioned Utheemu Boduthakurufaanu's struggle against the Portuguese as being testament to this and stressed that Maldivian society had been able to maintain it's fully muslim status only through the determination of its people to remain steadfast and true to the religion.
President Muizzu called on present society to continue remaining steadfast in their faith even in the face of ever-increasing challenges in today's interconnected globalized world.
Safeguarding Islam begins with the individual and extends to the wider community, he said, urging Maldivians to contribute towards shaping national development within a robust religious foundation.
The ceremony also saw President Muizzu unveil the official logo and slogan for the 900th anniversary of Maldives embracing Islam, which is to be used in official communications for a period of one year.
First Lady Sajidha Mohamed accompanied the President to last night's ceremony. They were joined by Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef, Speaker of Parliament Abdul Raheem Abdulla, several cabinet ministers, parliament members and other senior state officials.
Also attending the ceremony were Chief Executive Officer of Al Rajhi Company Bandar Abdullah Al-Rajhi and several foreign ambassadors to the Maldives.
Young Maldivian khateebs and qaris were also in attendance, alongside several members of the general public.
