President Muizzu declines to fly national flag at half-mast following Khamenei's assassination, instead shifts responsibility for decision onto other Arab and Islamic nations
When questioned on the matter, President Muizzu stated that the Maldives remains aligned with the collective stance of the Arab and Islamic bloc; however, his failure to provide a direct answer suggests that the decision not to fly the national flag at half-mast was due to the absence of a specific directive from these nations.
Muizzu speaking during a press conference held at the President's Office. | President's Office | President's Office
Following the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a US strike, the Maldives has refrained from flying the national flag at half-mast, instead shifting the responsibility for the decision onto other Arab and Islamic nations.
Despite the death of Khamenei in US strikes on Saturday, the Maldives has not flown its national flag at half-mast in mourning. This stands in contrast to the country's general practice of lowering the flag to half-mast to mark the passing of leaders and heads of state from both Islamic and non-Islamic nations.
When asked the question during a press conference at the President's Office on Monday, President Muizzu stated that Arab and Islamic nations stand together as a single bloc, and the Maldives will maintain the same stance. As the President did not provide a direct answer, his response implies that the national flag was not lowered to half-mast because Arab and Islamic countries had not collectively instructed to do so.
I have stated that this government will work closely with Arab and Islamic nations. These nations will operate as a single bloc and a unified entity on this matter. Therefore, we will maintain that unity.President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu
The established protocol for national mourning dictates that the Maldivian national flag shall be flown at half-mast following the death of a leader from a country with which the Maldives maintains diplomatic relations. According to Article 2 of these regulations, the national flag must be flown at half-mast for a duration of three days upon the passing of a head of government (such as a Prime Minister or an equivalent official) of an Islamic nation or a member state of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).
Public concern is mounting over the government's decision not to fly the national flag at half-mast following the assassination of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei. Members of the public have expressed disappointment over the lack of an official mourning period for the Iranian leader. In contrast to the current administration's stance, previous Maldivian governments have traditionally joined in international mourning for the passing of Iran's top leadership by flying the national flag at half-mast as a mark of respect and solidarity.
