Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has held a flag hoisting and guard mounting ceremony to commemorate the 34th Victory Day. The ceremony was held at the Victory Day monument made in remembrance of the martyrs of November 3, 1988.
Minister of Defence Mariya Ahmed Didi officiated the flag-hoisting ceremony as well as the guard mounting ceremony. In addition, Chief of Defense Force Major General Abdulla Shamaal, Vice Chief of Defense Force Brigadier General Abdul Raheem Abdul Latheef, and senior officials of the MNDF were also present at the ceremony. A moment of silence was also observed at the ceremony followed by a seven-gun salute. The ceremony at the Victory Day monument was preceded by a congregational prayer at the Islamic Centre.
This year's celebrations included a special Victory Lap in the city by the MNDF and a military parade will also be held in the birthplace of Victory Day hero Corporal Hussain Adam. The parade will be held on the main streets of Kulhudhuffushi City at 1600hrs on November 4.
Victory Day is marked every year in remembrance of the 19 Maldivians who lost their lives during the terrorist attack on November 3, 1988. The attack was led by a group of Maldivians and carried out by armed mercenaries of a Tamil secessionist organisation from Sri Lanka.
The day is also marked in remembrance of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives to defend the country's sovereignty, independence, and religion.