President Muizzu: Nationalism to be taught to Maldivians residing abroad

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has announced plans to introduce programs teaching Dhivehi language, Islam and nationalism to Maldivians residing abroad.

He made the announcement during a meeting with the Maldivian community residing in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Thursday night as part of his ongoing visit to Dubai to attend the 28th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28).

Over 200 Maldivians attended this meeting.

At the meeting, President Muizzu announced that the administration's highest priority was to promote nationalism. In this trajectory, he said the newly incepted Ministry of Dhivehi Language, Culture and Heritage is mandated with collaborating with the embassies and consulates abroad, to ensure that initiatives are planned to incorporate Dhivehi language and Islam into programs for Maldivians residing abroad.

The president also stressed the necessity of advancing religious education and early childhood nurturing by assigning diplomatic outposts the additional task of teaching Dhivehi and Islam subjects, beyond their conventional duties. In this regard, he emphasized the necessity of advancing religious education and early childhood nurturing by assigning diplomatic outposts the additional task of teaching Dhivehi and Islam subjects, beyond their conventional duties – articulating a vision of elevating the Maldivian identity to a level of esteemed recognition.

At the meeting, President Muizzu also assured his administration’s intention to utilize a policy to enhance the services extended to Maldivians residing overseas. 

He detailed that the operations of the respective diplomatic outposts would be strategically aligned to foster effective collaboration with Maldivians and to prioritize the needs of Maldivian communities abroad. He added that the administration is committed to ensuring that all newly appointed ambassadors to foreign nations will be oriented towards better serving the people.

He reiterated that his administration is committed to working collaboratively with the Maldivian people and would actively seek their input and feedback, adding decisions would be made in such a way that it addresses the needs of the people.

For this purpose, he engaged in dialogue with the local Maldivian community residing in the UAE, ensuring their concerns and needs. He reaffirmed the administration's dedication to addressing their concerns.

Prior to this, President Muizzu also met with the local community residing in Turkiye earlier this week, during his first official visit to a foreign nation since assuming office.