President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has inaugurated Tharika, a national campaign outlined in this year’s Presidential Address, aimed at promoting unity and culture along with boosting, especially among students and youth, religious faith and national spirit.

The official logo and slogan for the campaign were also launched at the ceremony this evening.

Speaking at the ceremony, Chairman of the National Awards Committee Abdul Rasheed Hussain, the senior coordinator of the committee appointed to spearhead the programme, noted the importance of a national level campaign to instil patriotism in younger generations.

Minister of Defence and National Security Adam Shareef and Minister of Home Affairs Azleen Ahmed also spoke on behalf of the committee. The Defence Minister stated that a patriotic person would always give first priority to the Islamic faith, and guard the Maldives’ customs and traditions. In the Home Minister’s speech, he appealed to everyone to support the government in carrying out this national campaign.

Additionally, the Chancellor of the Islamic University of Maldives Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed delivered a presentation on Islamic history.