President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has urged all Maldivian citizens to abide by the law, respect each other and put forth patriotism. The President made these remarks in his address to the nation on the occasion of this year’s National Day. The Maldives celebrates its National Day on the 1st of Rabi-ul-Awwal.

In his address, the President has stated that the National Day of a country will bring out the national spirit in people, and that it was a day for the people to have great aspirations and hopes for the future of the nation.

President Yameen has further said that the conquest our national hero Bodu Thakurufaanu had with foreign invaders, for the protection and defence of our nationality and religion, laid the foundation of nationality in the country. He has also said that the country’s national day defines the love and admiration Maldivians have towards our beloved country.

In his address, the President has said that his ambition today was to ensure the developmental projects continue into the future, and continue to be most beneficial for the people. He also has said that his aim was to ensure that the days of distress and grief of our past do not recur.