President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has urged Maldivians to embrace a stronger culture of mutual respect, emphasising that valuing one another is fundamental to both Islamic teachings and the country's national identity.
Addressing the inauguration ceremony of the National Respect Initiative as the guest of honour, President Muizzu highlighted that the Maldives, as a 100 per cent Muslim nation, must reflect Islamic values through the way people treat one another. He stressed the importance of respecting the lives, property and dignity of every individual.
The President called on citizens to ensure that their words and actions never undermine another person's dignity or self-worth. He urged the public to avoid looking down on others, mocking or humiliating them, or addressing people with names they find offensive. He also emphasised the need to abandon backbiting, insults and other forms of harmful speech.
“If we live by these principles and allow them to shape our relationships, our 100 per cent Islamic nation can become a society recognised for the highest standards of conduct loved by Allah. By ending insults, backbiting and the spreading of falsehoods, we can, God willing, establish a true culture of mutual respect,” President Muizzu said.
He further noted that respect should extend across all areas of daily life, bringing harmony and a sense of comfort to people as they fulfil their responsibilities in workplaces, educational institutions and other public settings.
The President also encouraged citizens to practise respect within their households, among family members and relatives, as well as in their friendships and wider social relationships. He stressed that the same principle should guide their attitude towards safeguarding the country's peace, unity and reputation.
Concluding his remarks, President Muizzu called on Maldivians to embrace a new chapter of civility by shaping their attitudes and behaviour in accordance with Islamic values. He emphasised the importance of building a society that protects human dignity, safeguards the nation's heritage and takes pride in its Maldivian identity and heritage.
