Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has said that the ancestors have left a strong lesson within the country's 900-year Islamic heritage, and that he hopes the country remains steadfast upon those principles. 

In a social media post commemorating the 900th hijri anniversary of Maldives embracing Islam, the former President said that he hopes, like the 900 years past, Maldives continues to remain faithful and true to Islam in the future. 

Reflecting on the lessons of the past nine centuries of Islam, Gayoom said that despite facing various challenges, Maldives had always remained committed to upholding Islamic values and ensuring their faith remained unshakeable. 

Islam is the foundation of Maldives, its nationalism and spirit, Gayoom said. 

"We cannot afford to let go of this Islam," he stated. 

The day Maldives embraced Islam is marked annually on the second day of Jumada Al Akhira. The practice had been halted for several years when Gayoom renewed the celebration during his tenure as President. 

The day was first marked in 1954. It was intermittently observed between then and 1967, and came to a complete halt until 2000.