Goal is not merely to construct tangible, visible physical infrastructure: President Muizzu

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has officially launched the "National Respect Campaign," an initiative aimed at fostering a civilized society rooted in Islamic principles and mutual respect, free from harassment and ridicule. During the inauguration, the President emphasized that true national development can only be achieved by aligning infrastructure growth with the intellectual and moral development of the Maldivian people.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, accompanied by First Lady Sajidha Mohamed, attended a special ceremony on Saturday night at the Maafannu Track area to officially launch the National Respect Campaign. The event was also attended by Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef, Speaker of the People’s Majlis Abdul Raheem Abdulla, cabinet ministers, and senior officials from various state institutions.

In his remarks following the project's inauguration, President Muizzu reflected on his inaugural address delivered after taking the oath of office. He reiterated his vision for national transformation, describing it as a pursuit of both physical infrastructure and holistic development.

He stated that the objective is not merely to develop tangible physical infrastructure and intellectual human capital, but rather to focus on the holistic construction and advancement of the nation. Furthermore, he expressed confidence that these efforts will cultivate a Maldivian Muslim society that upholds human dignity, preserves national heritage, and takes immense pride in its unique identity and nationalism.

Highlighting that one of the primary objectives of this project is to eliminate deep-seated negative social habits and foster moral integrity among the public, the President emphasized that by purging society of the harmful practices of harassment, backbiting, and falsehoods, the nation can become a model of mutual respect.

Reflecting on the nation's proud heritage, the President stated that the Maldives' distant past is defined by a legacy of humanity, characterized by noble values and exemplary conduct. Highlighting the significance of punctuality among these traditional virtues, the President noted that during that era, respecting time was a top priority for everyone, whether they were senior officials, civil servants, or ordinary citizens.

Under this project, President Muizzu called upon every individual to fully uphold their responsibilities with integrity.

Concluding his remarks, he highlighted that this project would revitalize Maldivian national identity. He stated that the National Respect Project was launched with the blessing of Allah, aiming to breathe new life into the nation's heritage while envisioning and implementing a sophisticated future for Maldivian identity.

During the ceremony, His Excellency also unveiled the official logo for the national campaign to promote mutual respect.

President Muizzu has called for the launch of a national initiative to revive the traditional Maldivian values of mutual respect, urging all stakeholders to participate in this endeavor. The President made these remarks while addressing the residents of Mahibadhoo during his visit to the inhabited islands of South Ari Atoll in October 2025.

A five-year nationwide campaign has been launched to revive the long-standing Maldivian values of good conduct and etiquette, under the theme "The Joy of Respect – The Benefit of Society." The project, initiated by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, was officially inaugurated on Saturday night. According to the President's Office, the Ministry of Dhivehi Language, Culture, and Heritage will be responsible for overseeing the implementation of the initiative.