President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has called on the community to reflect on the factors that lead to children ceasing to learn and use the Dhivehi language, expressing concern that the native language is being lost and urging the community to preserve it. He made these remarks while speaking at an event to mark the 13th anniversary of the Writers' Guild of the Maldives and the closing of a story-writing competition.
Speaking at the event, President Solih commended the Writers' Guild for promoting Dhivehi and literature, stressing the importance of safeguarding and preserving the language and literature to maintain and uphold the country's nationality. He highlighted the importance of the Dhivehi language and literature and said that it is the greatest blessing of Maldivians after the guidance of Islam and that it is a rich and vibrant language with a long and distinguished history. He described the depth of Dhivehi literature and richness in distinct art forms such as poetry, writing, speaking, and oratory.
Additionally, President Solih called for the promotion of Dhivehi literature and said that schools and societies should be environments that expose children to the literary arts. He also noted that mastering one's native tongue is a powerful motivator for understanding the depth of other languages. He also expressed concern over the level of proficiency of children and youth in the Dhivehi language, adding that some children with high intellectual and academic aptitude exhibit delayed development in speaking Dhivehi. He stressed that it is the responsibility of the government, authors, language instructors, and the entire community to address this issue, as it could cause irreparable damage to literature if left unaddressed.
President Solih concluded his remarks by calling on writers, language teachers, and professors to produce Dhivehi literature that caters to a diverse range of age groups. He emphasised the importance of creating more ethical Dhivehi books, particularly for children. He also recognised the top three winners of the story-writing competition, organised by the Writers' Guild, by presenting them with prizes.