President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has urged Maldivian writers to produce more books to revive the Dhivehi language. He made the appeal on the occasion of Writers’ Day.
In a tweet, President Solih extended felicitations and well wishes to the writers of the country on the occasion of Writers’ Day. He also urged Maldivians to increase the number of books written in the Dhivehi language to preserve their literary heritage and encouraged children and youth to become interested in the Dhivehi language.
Earlier in June, President Solih expressed concern that the Dhivehi language is being lost and called on the community to reflect on the factors that lead to children ceasing to learn and use the native language. Speaking at an event to mark the 13th anniversary of the Writers' Guild of the Maldives, he highlighted the importance of the Dhivehi language and literature and said that it is the greatest blessing of Maldivians after the guidance of Islam and that it is a rich and vibrant language with a long and distinguished history.
Additionally, President Solih called for the promotion of Dhivehi literature and said that schools and societies should be environments that expose children to the literary arts. He noted that mastering one's native tongue is a powerful motivator for understanding the depth of other languages. He also expressed concern over the level of proficiency of children and youth in the Dhivehi language, adding that some children with high intellectual and academic aptitude exhibit delayed development in speaking Dhivehi.
Furthermore, President Solih stressed that it is the responsibility of the government, authors, language instructors, and the entire community to address this issue, as it could cause irreparable damage to literature if left unaddressed. As such, he called on writers, language teachers, and professors to produce Dhivehi literature that caters to a diverse range of age groups.
Writers’ Day is marked on July 8, which was the day the first news magazine in the Maldives Al Islaah was released. The magazine was printed in 1933 in accordance with the new freedoms granted under the Constitution ratified in 1932.