The nation needs to stand together “as one”, in order to resist the emerging threats in the developing world, says President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

In commemoration of Victory Day celebrated on November 3, the president conferred a message to the people, emphasizing on the urgency to “always” ensure that the interests of the nation and the holy tenets of Islam are at the topmost priorities.

Solih highlighted that Victory Day mirrors the importance of constant protection and maintenance of national interests, above individual interests.

Going on to honor the bravery of the martyred soldiers who sacrificed their lives to protect the sovereignty and independence of the country against armed foreign troops, Solih added that current and future generations must take it as an inspiration to stand against colonialist ideologies and attacks on Maldives’ religion and sovereignty.

Further, he stated that the courage of the martyred soldiers paved way for Maldives to raise its flag today as an “independent state”, encouraging future generations to strive to represent the traits of the heroic soldiers celebrated on Victory Day.

Further, he went on to acknowledge the determination and resolution of the people of Maldives and expressed gratitude to all involved in foiling the attack on Maldives on this day in 1988. He noted that the attack backfired because of the determination of Maldivian soldiers.

Solih also expressed appreciation to neighboring India for their swift intervention following a request from the Maldivian government.

The lives of 19 Maldivians were taken during the attempted coup d’état in the Maldives capital on November 3, 1988 by a Sri Lankan militant group, with the involvement of a few locals. The day was described as one of the most brutal and deadly assaults on the country’s independence, by the president.