President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has revealed incompletion of developmental projects initiated for the betterment of the country is not an option for the government.
Addressing the official ceremony held to mark the National Day of the Maldives held in Utheemu, Haa Alifu Atoll, President Solih spoke about the importance of serving sincerely without discrimination in building the nation. He stated nationalism means to serve people with an aim, without discrimination, and disregard for the size of the island.
Noting the origin of all the major social problems seen in the Maldives is due to the lack of relationship with national characteristics, President Solih said facilitating drugs, gangs trying to disrupt the peace of the country, and enabling smuggling in Maldivian waters is far from nationalism. He added that extremism and terrorism were foreign to the people of the Maldives who loves a culture of peace and happiness in an interconnected world.
Furthermore, President Solih said upholding Islam and its principles are the strongest pillars of Maldivian nationalism. He said the ancestors raised their children by working sincerely and by heeding the Islamic pillars.
National Day is observed to celebrate the victory of Sultan Muhammad Thakurufaanu Al Auzam over the Portuguese occupation in 1573.