President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced plans to launch a nationwide campaign to revive the culture of respect and good manners among Maldivians, describing the initiative as a key part of the Government's efforts to preserve the country's national identity.
Speaking about the campaign, President Muizzu said that by the time the current administration came to office, the Maldivian identity had been significantly eroded. However, he noted that the Government has since initiated efforts to strengthen national identity by giving greater priority to Maldivian nationalism and the Dhivehi language. He also stated that important work is under way to study the nation's history and revitalise its cultural heritage.
The President said that the support and cooperation of senior civil servants and officials would be essential in carrying out this work, adding that they had already been providing valuable assistance. He stressed that the common thread linking all of these efforts is the practice of showing respect, but observed that this aspect of Maldivian society had weakened with the rise of political polarisation in the country.
"In the past, people showed respect to their neighbours. They respected their elders. People upheld good moral standards in their dealings with one another. But as political division intensified and spread, the practice of showing respect gradually disappeared from among us. Yet it remains one of the defining characteristics of our identity," President Dr Mohamed Muizzu said.
The President announced that a major nationwide campaign would be launched to restore the traditional values and good manners that have long been part of Maldivian society. Acknowledging that it would be a significant undertaking, he said the campaign would be implemented in a way that encourages participation from all members of society.
He added that consultations and preparations for the campaign were already under way. The President also said that all institutions and civil society organisations would be invited to take part.
"This may seem like a matter of custom, but it is a major issue. If we are to safeguard our identity, we must once again become a people who practise respect. Every one of us has a responsibility in this regard," President Dr Mohamed Muizzu said.
The President further stated that the loss of this culture of respect had resulted from political division, and that political leaders and political parties therefore had an important role to play in restoring it. He emphasised that engaging in politics does not mean abandoning respect for others.
President Muizzu said the Government would continue to prioritise the protection and promotion of national values. In addition to ongoing initiatives to preserve and revitalise Maldivian culture and strengthen the Dhivehi language, he said the Government would also focus on neglected areas requiring further attention and take the necessary measures to address them.