President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has said that he will submit to the third sitting of this year’s Parliament a proposal to establish a robust system that would ensure no law contrary to Islam can be enacted in the Maldives.
The President made the remarks while delivering his speech at the official ceremony marking National Day.
In his National Day address, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu highlighted the reason for commemorating National Day and shed light on the historical events associated with it. He also spoke about the relationship between Maldivians and Islam.
The President said one of the important lessons that National Day teaches Maldivians is that the positive outcome of remaining loyal to the noble religion of Islam is a source of honour, while abandoning Islam has painful consequences and brings weakness. He said that everything good associated with the Maldivian nation is rooted in the essence of the religion, and that Islam is the backbone of the Maldivian nation.
The President noted that the Maldives remained under Portuguese rule for many years because Maldivians had abandoned the noble religion of Islam. He said that, as a result, the spiritual connection between the Maldivian people and their homeland was severed.
“The foundations of patriotism and national pride were shaken and weakened. Abandoning the religion was not merely a betrayal of the faith. It was a betrayal of the Maldivian nation; of the Maldives and the Maldivian state; of the freedom, sovereignty and independence of Maldivians; and even of the honour, dignity and entire history of the Maldivian people. How dangerous was the consequence? How tragic was it? What does the religion give us? Without doubt, it gives us happiness in both worlds. The religion contains such immense strength and such a living spirit.” the president said.
President Muizzu noted that the Bodu Thakurufaanu and his companions fought jihad for the sake of the religion. He said the objectives they sought to achieve through their struggle were something that Maldivians continue to remember. Therefore, he said, the connection between the events commemorated on National Day and the noble religion of Islam is clearly evident.
The President said that whenever policies that are hostile to Islam or distant from Islam are implemented, the independence of the Maldivian nation is compromised.
For this reason, he said, a system that fully protects Islam must be established in the country. He further stated that, according to the Constitution of the Maldives, no law contrary to Islam can be enacted, and that all laws, principles and regulations made in the Maldives must remain within the boundaries and standards of the noble religion of Islam.
President Muizzu said he would ensure, both in principle and institutionally, a robust system in the Maldives that would prevent the enactment of any law contrary to or incompatible with Islam.
“Therefore, today I intend to bring an end to the situation as it currently stands. I will ensure, both in principle and institutionally, a robust system in the Maldives under which no law contrary to or incompatible with the noble religion of Islam can be enacted. Therefore, if Allah wills, I give my full assurance today to all the beloved people of the Maldives that I will submit such a system to the third sitting of this year’s Parliament.”
The President also noted that the successful life and achievements of the hero commemorated on National Day demonstrate that morality is the strongest foundation for building the human and spiritual character that Maldivians aspire to through the principles of the noble religion of Islam.
He emphasised that, for a society, morality involves caring for the social values held by its members. He said it is important both to implement laws, regulations and principles and to submit to and abide by them.
In his address, President Muizzu said the most important resolution Maldivians should make on National Day is to foster civilised and refined qualities within society. He expressed his resolve to revive within the Maldivian ummah a sense of unity in which people value one another, care for one another and show each other respect in every sense.