Victory Day flag-hoisting and guard mounting ceremony held after congregational Fajr prayers

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu and First Lady Sajidha Mohamed have attended the flag-hoisting and guard-mounting ceremony.

The ceremony took place this morning at the monument site commemorating the events of November 3.

Upon their arrival at the Victory Day Monument, the President and First Lady were received by Defense Minister Hassan Rasheed.

Cabinet ministers and senior government officials also attended the ceremony. This year’s Victory Day commemorations began earlier with a large gathering for the Fajr prayer.

In a message extending Victory Day greetings to the public and the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF), President Muizzu highlighted the courage demonstrated by soldiers when the nation’s independence was under threat. He paid tribute to their sacrifices and stressed that the events serve as an important lesson for the nation.

Sharing verses from the poem "Shaheedhuge Zikura" by renowned poet Adam Haleem Adnan, the President prayed that the heroes who lost their lives defending the nation would be granted the highest rewards in Paradise.

November 3 marks the day the Maldives faced one of the most dangerous foreign attacks in its recent history. During the coup attempt, carried out in collaboration with a Sri Lankan militant group, insurgents held control of the capital, Malé, for approximately 18 hours.

The attack involved 80 members of the Sri Lankan militant group "PLOTE", alongside a small number of Maldivians. As the attackers attempted to seize control of the country, the sacrifices made by soldiers in resisting the assault played a crucial role in preserving the Maldives’ independence.