President: Martyr yourself for the nation, its unity

President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has called out to the people of Maldives to give no room for anything which could disrupt national unity, and be unflinching in face of whatever sacrifice was required to carry forward the nation into the hands of the next generation.

President Yameen made the appeal during his message of felicitation to the people of Maldives on occasion of the 70th National Day, which is being celebrated this Wednesday.

President Yameen asked that the current generation learn lessons from the martyrdom of national heroes of days passed and strengthen resolve to carry forward the nation into the hands of the next generation.

“Being proud of this beloved nation, sacrificing whatever is necessary for this nation, and patriotism needs to be the predominant emotion within the heart of every Maldivian, same as it was in the heart of our national heroes,” said President Yameen.

He asked that the people of Maldives strengthen their resolve so that its unshaken, whatever happens.

Maldivian National Day is celebrated on 1st of the month of Rabi' al-awwal in Islamic calender.

It’s a celebration of the national hero Sultan Muhammad Thakurufaanu Al Auzam AKA Bodu Thakurufaanu who saved Maldives from under the 15-year and 6-month rule of the Portuguese.

Maldives gained independence from the Portuguese in 981st year of the Islamic calendar, on the night before Rabi’ al-awwal 1.

Maldives began celebrating the day as National Day in the 1365th year of Islamic calendar, on Rabi’ al-awwal 1 – January 4, 1946.