President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has said that it was tourism that has taught Maldivians the art of living together in one globalised world with people representing different cultures. He made this remark while speaking at the opening ceremony of Club Med Finolhu Villas, the first resort in the Maldives to be entirely powered by solar energy.
The President said that as our tourism industry matured, it came with a number of challenges, mainly due to the current economic conditions in the country. The President went on to highlight the Government’s plans for economic transformation. Pointing out that the Maldives’ economy largely depended on the tourism industry, which was its backbone, the President noted that at the same time, it was the tourism industry which brought the most challenges to the economy.
Speaking at the function, President Yameen said that while the Government embarked on the development projects, equal importance was given to maintaining peace in the society, to ensure that the Maldives is able to cohabit with its international travelers. He further assured that the Maldivian people were very hospitable and welcoming. Noting that the religion practiced in the Maldives was Islam, the President reiterated that Islam was a religion that appreciated coexistence, and preached tolerance and peace.
Highlighting the recent false reports about the Maldives, the President requested all investors to carry back to their countries, and through them to convey to the whole world, that the Islam in the Maldives was a very tolerant Islam. The President underscored that the essence of Islam was tolerance and coexistence with the neighbourly people in the world, and stated that Maldivians were a peaceful and humble people. He also said that the Maldives always welcomes guests from all over the world.
