Secret to Maldives

The secret behind Maldives’ long period of freedom is the country’s adherence to Islam, Minister of Home Affairs Umar Naseer has said while speaking on the occasion of Martyrs Day in Olympus hall on Saturday.

He said that unlike most countries, Maldives did not maintain its freedom through great military power.

“The secret of Maldivians' long sustained freedom is the religion of Islam, and none other. Looking at the world, we've seen that countries who could maintain their freedom had unparalleled military might. They constantly used this power to maintain their freedom, to ensure that no other country is their equal in power, and defeat anyone who is. Maldives never had such resources, such a discipline, such thought,” Home Minister said.

He also noted that Maldives neither maintained its freedom through commanding a great economy, nor did it have many scholars or a learned culture. He said that the benevolence of all mighty God was apparent in the way Maldives was able to survive the deadly mercenary attack of 1988.

“The lesson we must learn on Martyrs Day is that we don’t have any protection other than through our faith and Islam,” Umar Naseer said.

He said that Maldives is still being attacked constantly and the war is an effort to change Maldivians’ perception of their country.

“Now the attack is on how we think, on the people’s beliefs. On our respect for our religion and our history. There are great efforts to shatter these today,” Home Minister said.