President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has appealed to the people of Maldives to face the challenges of defending our national independence, with patience and courage. The President made this appeal while speaking at the special flag-hoisting ceremony held on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee of National Independence, at the Republic Square, at 00:00hrs on Sunday morning. He also appealed to everyone to prevent even the slightest act of interference on the sovereignty of our country.
In his speech, the President described our national independence as a great privilege and blessing. He said that as we celebrate our independence day, the greatest national responsibility resting on our shoulders was to safeguard our independence and maintain it. The President underscored the importance of teaching the lessons and morals from our story of independence, to the younger generations.
Continuing in this regard, the President reminded the people that to safeguard and maintain our independence was actually harder than primarily securing it. President Yameen said that the truth behind the Maldives’ ability to protect its independence and individuality was our Islamic faith, and national values. The President further said that to safeguard our national independence and maintaining it was a responsibility and duty that fell on every Maldivian citizen, and that this national duty could only be carried out by being a sincere and honest people.
