MDP leader: We must allow no room for strife, even in name of nationalism

Maldivians must not allow room to create divisions, and spread strife and hatred among themselves, even in the name of nationalism, says Abdulla Shahid, the leader of the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).

He made the remark in a post on X on Wednesday in which he conveyed National Day greetings.

Shahid, the country’s former foreign minister, said that Maldivian nationalism is based on friendship and unity.

“We are of the same religion, speak the same language, and are of the same race. This is a noble fortune that few in the world have,” he said.

“We must not allow room to create divisions among ourselves, and spread strife and hatred, even in the name of nationalism.”

He said that that poses the greatest threat to nationalism.

ޤައެމީ ދުވަހުގެ ހެޔޮއެދުމާއި ތަހުނިޔާ ލޮބުވެތި އެންމެހާ އުޚުތުންނާއި އަޚުންނަށް އަރިސްކުރަން.

ދިވެހި ޤައުމިއްޔަތު ބިނާކުރެވިފައިވަނީ އެކުވެރިކަމާއި އެއްބައިވަންތަކަމުގެ މައްޗަށް. އަޅުގަނޑުމެންނަކީ އެއްދީނެއްގައި ތިބި، އެެއްބަހަކުން ވާހަކަދައްކާ، އެއްނަސްލެއްގެ އެއްބައެއް. މިއީ…

— Abdulla Shahid (@abdulla_shahid) September 3, 2024

The National Day is celebrated annually on the first of Rabi’ al-Awwal, as a solemn reminder of the valiant efforts of national hero al-Sultan al-Ghaazee Muhammad Thakurufaanu al-A’uzam in liberating the Maldives from Portuguese rule.

This day is a tribute to the resilience and sacrifice that underpin the nation’s independence.