Schools and universities in the Maldives must explore deeper into the country’s history and heritage and urge students to do the same, says President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

He made this remark while speaking at the ceremony held at the President’s Office to unveil the Dhivehi translation of “Tarikh Islam Diba Mahal” translated to “Islamic History of the Maldives Islands”, a book written by Al-Ghazi Hassan Thaajuddeen.

During the event on Thursday, the president urged students to envelope themselves in the country’s rich history and heritage, shedding light on the importance of Maldives’ local culture and history for national welfare.

In this regard the president urged schools, universities and their students to study and research the country’s history and heritage with cooperation from the Dhivehi Bahuge Academy.

Further, the president shed light on the importance of primary sources in history, which documents events that occur and sequentially gives preference to secondary sources as accurate reciting of account by other historians.

President Solih extended gratitude to the parties involved in the translation process.

“Tarikh Islam Diba Mahal” is the ealiest surviving history of Maldives and the first such publication composed by a local, initially in Arabic.

The publication was described by the president as a treasure, as he noted that the book is a historical record that contains valuable information, life lessons and social insight into the country’s long background for students and researchers alike, which makes it indispensable.

The Minister of Arts, Culture and Heritage Yumna Maumoon, joined the President at the ceremony.