President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has appealed to all Maldivians to be vigilant of those who would seek to weaken the Islamic faith and promote other religions in the Maldives. The President made the remark in his address to the nation on the occasion of The Day the Maldives Embraced Islam.
In his address, President Yameen emphasised that since Maldives is an Islamic Nation and Maldivians are firm in their belief and faith in Islam, it is regrettable that external interests seek to exert influence over this matter. It is not acceptable for nations to look down on the Maldives for not having religious freedom, he said.
The President firmly stated that, despite the external pressures, his administration would uphold the resolve of Maldivians to not allow the practice of faiths other than Islam in the Maldives. He noted that “the key to the nation's independence depended on the knowledge and guidance inherent in our faith.” “Any Islamic society would prioritise social harmony over personal gain and that the only way to preserve social peace was by protecting individual rights,” the President said. Furthermore, President Yameen stated that “since Maldivians follow the same Islamic faith and are of the same culture, we should work to reinforce the bonds of family and faith.”
In his address to the nation, President Yameen also extended greetings and well wishes to all Maldivians on the auspicious occasion of The Day Maldives Embraced Islam.