News Desk
MALÉ, Maldives — President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu told Maldivians on Monday that the nation’s greatest defense lies not in weapons but in the intellect and unity of its people. Speaking at this year’s Victory Day ceremony, he urged citizens to align their thoughts with the interests of the country, calling intellect the most powerful gift bestowed by God.
The annual commemoration honors those who defended the Maldives during the attempted coup of Nov. 3, 1988, when armed mercenaries stormed the capital before being repelled with the help of Indian forces.
Reflecting on the country’s shared identity, Mr. Muizzu said Maldivians are bound by faith, language and tradition, values that cannot be destroyed by outside forces. The greater danger, he warned, comes when citizens place personal interests above national unity. As long as Maldivians uphold their love for the nation, he said, independence and sovereignty will remain secure.
The president called on the public to remember the sacrifices of earlier generations, particularly those who defended the country in moments of peril. He said the success of national policies depends on the commitment of the people and expressed confidence in the young men and women who have joined the National Service, including the first group of recruits present at the ceremony.
Mr. Muizzu stressed that a nation must be built on its own values and principles. True development, he said, requires harmony between the government’s vision and the aspirations of its citizens. He pledged that his administration would continue to strengthen national infrastructure and expand the capacity of the Maldives National Defence Force and the Maldives Police Service. The 2026 budget, he added, includes measures to improve the quality of life for those serving in both institutions.
Calling on Maldivians to take pride in their duty to safeguard freedom, the president noted that while nations once defended themselves through warfare, independence today can be undermined in more subtle ways. He pointed to economic self-reliance as a cornerstone of genuine freedom and said that even a mobile phone can serve as a tool for citizens to contribute to national progress and security.
He also described Islam as the nation’s greatest blessing and urged Maldivians to take pride in its teachings. He called on the public to preserve and pass down the stories of bravery and sacrifice to future generations.
Concluding his address, Mr. Muizzu extended his well-wishes to former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and to the families of the 19 Maldivians who were killed in the 1988 attack. The martyrs were posthumously honored with the Shield of Honour at this year’s ceremony.
