Your Excellency Dato’ Seri Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, Prime Minister of Malaysia, Datin Seri Dr. Siti Hasmah,
In my childhood days when I was receiving my early education with some of my colleagues present here this evening in a far off land, we were frequently asked whether we were Malays. Please forgive me, Mr. Prime Minister and Madam Siti Hasmah, if I say that we were not happy with that question. Maybe because we thought, in our childhood innocence, that belonging to the Maldives was somehow unique. Having grown much older now and, I hope, wiser, when I think of those days I realize how wrong and, at the same time, how right we had been. We were wrong because the Maldives is not of course, the greatest country in the world. We were right because without pride in own country, its history and its culture you cannot really love it. If you don’t love country, you cannot be really committed to serve it.
Those people who used to ask us whether we were Malays were probably prompted by the apparent physical similarities between Maldivians and Malays. But, of course, it is not only physical appearance that we have in common. The Maldives’ links with your country, Mr. Prime Minister, are very much deeper than that. In fact, our two countries and peoples need no introduction to each other, as you so rightly observed on an occasion like this during the very enjoyable visit my wife and I made to your beautiful and hospitable country two years ago.
Your Excellency,
Since we became an independent nation, we have had occasion to welcome some heads of state and government to our shores. We were greatly honoured by the visits of these distinguished leaders. However, you, Mr. Prime Minister, are the first head of government of a Muslim country to visit this hundred percent Muslim republic, and as such, we have special reason to rejoice today.
Your visit to this country, is of great significance to us not only for reasons of the high office you hold, but also for the warm friendship developed between us during previous meetings in Taif, Kuala Lumpur, Fiji and recently in New Delhi, and for the sharing of personal interests in health, education and rural development which have become matters of immediate concern for us in the Maldives. As medical doctors, you both have devoted yourselves to the service of your people, not in sophisticated hospitals for the affluent, but in the rural areas catering to the needs of the under-privileged. Having previously pursued science and its applications to relieve the sufferings of the poor, may I suggest that you, Mr. Prime Minister, truly represent in present high office the embodiment of the classic concept of the benevolent ruler, envisioned by Al-Mawardi and other constitutional writers of early Islam.
The strong ties of a long and lasting friendship built between Malaysia and the Maldives over centuries of contact with each other are numerous. First, we are bound by the very strong bond of our common faith. We share the principles and doctrines of Islam and the Islamic brotherhood, being part of one Muslim Umma.
Secondly, we have common links of history and peaceful contact through trade. Ships from the coasts of Red Sea, the Arabian Sea and the Gulf stopped by our islands on their way to your country and Indonesia, not only to trade in material goods, spicy as they were, but also to exchange ideas and doctrines carrying the message of Islam and its educational and cultural heritage. Many of these ships were manned by Maldivian sailors - a tradition that persists even today. This has resulted in the intermingling of our peoples and traditions.
Trade between our two countries has grown considerably in recent years. We contribute delicacies such as shark fins to your varied menu; and we receive in exchange the solid material for our shelter and sustenance. Today, many of us are beginning to live in houses and fish in boats made of timber from your country. Thirdly, we have identical views on all major international and regional issues. We stand together on policies and approaches adopted by the third world countries to uphold the principles of peace, justice and equality.
In this respect, may I say that both our countries have given their strong backing and support to the just cause of the Palestinian people. The plight of the Palestinians and the systematic massacre of unarmed and innocent men, women and children, have shocked and distressed both our countries. It is a matter of great regret that the so-called civilized world has not raised a stronger voice and punished those guilty of perpetrating such blatant acts of genocide and war crimes against the valiant Palestinian people.
We also hold similar views on Afghanistan, Kampuchea, stability in South East Asia and on the situation in Southern Africa.
I also recall, Your Excellency, the support of your Government to the efforts made by the countries of South Asia to preserve the Indian Ocean as a zone of peace and stability, free from military rivalries of the super-powers who continue to display an arrogant disregard of our views.
Mr. Prime Minister and Madam Siti Hasmah,
You have undoubtedly heard about the tourist attractions of our islands - the blue lagoons, the coral white sands, the resplendent greenery, the pure air and the glorious sunsets. But, in the words of the poet, “it is not of these things that I want to sing” this evening, although they contribute to our physical and economic well-being. Nor do I wish to refer to the attractions of our capital, Male’, or dwell on the satisfactory economic progress that we have made over the last few years.
Instead, knowing your interests and sympathies, Mr. Prime Minister and Madam Siti Hasmah, my thoughts this evening turn to the constraints and problems of our country on the social front. Three quarters of our population live in small groups on tiny islands separated by large stretches of water. It is to these people that we owe a responsibility to carry the fruits of knowledge and science. Although our literacy rates are high, our education levels remain poor. Most island population groups are too small in number and the distances to be covered between Male’ and these islands are too large. Given the geographical layout of our twelve hundred islands and the numerous reefs, transportation problems, constitute a severe logistic constraint in tackling many of our social and economic problems. The country also experiences an acute scarcity of skilled personnel; teachers, doctors, engineers, technicians and others.
This brings me to the question of co-operation in development. With our political will and initiative, and with the help of friendly countries, we have succeeded in accelerating our development programmes. We have boldly embarked upon strategies to raise the living standards of our people particularly of those in the atolls, to train our young for the tasks of the present and the future, and to build the necessary economic and social infrastructure for the continued growth and prosperity of our nation. To this noble task we have dedicated ourselves and we seek the co-operation of all countries in a spirit of goodwill and understanding.
Your Excellency, and Datin Seri Dr. Siti Hasmah,
Welcoming you once again to our islands, we are confident that your visit will further contribute to the strengthening of our close ties of mutual friendship and understanding and lead to greater co-operation in all fields of our common endeavour.
The Islamic Centre project that Your Excellency visited this afternoon is being implemented with Malaysian collaboration. A major part of the costs is donated by the Saudi Arabian Government, and the design, the planning and technical workmanship are provided by Malaysian contractors. The keen personal interest that that you have taken in this important project is clearly reflected in the vigour and enthusiasm shown by the Malaysian architects, engineers and workmen. When works are completed next year by the Grace of Allah, this Islamic Centre, which will house the largest mosque in the country as well as classrooms for religious education, a library and a multi-function hall, will remain for a very long time as a splendid landmark indicating the Islamic character of the Maldives. It will remain, above all, as a lasting monument to Islamic brotherhood and to the new friendship that has been forged between Malaysia and the Maldives.
Ladies and Gentlemen, may I now invite you to raise your glasses to join me in a toast:
To the health and happiness of His Excellency Dato’ Seri Dr. Mahathir Mohamed, Prime minister of Malaysia and Datin Seri Dr. Siti Hasmah;
To the progress and prosperity of the Government and people of Malaysia; and
To the everlasting friendship and co-operation between our two governments and peoples.