President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has delivered a televised national address this morning on the occasion of the Maldives’ 55th Independence Day.

Addressing the nation, the President urged all involved in the political field to prioritize the national interest above all else and reminded us that although we may hold different views, there are certain fundamental principles upon which we must all agree. President Solih said that politicizing everything to create divisions and strife within our community is a vice.

In his address, the President noted that our constitution inaugurated a multi-party democracy in the Maldives in which individuals holding diverse views are welcomed to express their opinions and contribute to nation-building. He stated that his Administration will always value the input of those who disagree with it politically and welcomed their assistance in the pursuit of broad national interests.

He noted that the Maldives won its independence through peaceful means and foresight and therefore, the Maldivian national policy priorities and political direction must ensure the continued independence is maintained through peaceful means. The President mentioned that an important part of this entails open engagement with the international community and that concerted global effort will be required to resolve pressing international issues, including recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic and addressing climate change.

Speaking further, the President noted that Islam is the source of the national pride for the Maldives and stressed that the pillars upon which we have built our national identity; the mother tongue, the heritage, and way of life, have all been established through Islamic influences. He further highlighted the importance of always preserving Islam and the other essential pillars that comprise our national identity.

The President stated that after 55 years of independence, the direction of the country’s development compass should be clear to all that every Maldivian citizen have a collective and individual responsibility to do their utmost to help this country develop and prosper. He also noted that an important aspect of this is to shape one’s life to always embrace change and progress.