President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has said each time we lost our independence and was caught in the shackles of foreign intervention was due to internal discord.

The President made the remark in his address to the national on the occasion of the 56th Independence Day of the Maldives.

He said that the foundation of our national and social solidarity is without a doubt our firm belief in Islam and that religious solidarity can only be strengthened by eliminating sectarian divides.

"Looking at the international community, those countries, particularly a number of Islamic countries embattled by war and unrest have been swept by this very extremist ideology. It was reciprocal murder and destruction of private property that signified the origin of the state of conflict we see today in these countries, followed by the influence of external forces. Today, there is no independence, peace or harmony in those countries." The President said.

He said that extremist ideologies and actions that are being propagated in our community in the name of Islam have no relation to Islam and are firmly refuted in its teachings and these ideologies categorically contradict the disciplinary standards and principles of Islam as human logic and common sense compel countering the spread of these ideologies within the community.

At the same time, the President highlighted that religious slurs and hateful conduct against Islam are harmful acts conducive to societal discord and unrest and therefore, to ensure our national independence we must all be mindful of actions that spur hate and are blasphemous to Islam.

"Neither of these grave societal issues must be allowed in our community." President Solih said.