News Desk
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu and First Lady Sajidha Mohamed led national observances on Tuesday to mark the 38th Victory Day, honouring the military personnel and civilians who lost their lives defending the country during a bloody mercenary attack in 1988.
The official commemorations commenced early Tuesday morning with congregational Fajr prayers at the Islamic Centre in Malé. President Muizzu, who serves as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, joined Minister of Defence Hassan Rasheed, Chief of Defence Force Major General Ibrahim Hilmy, senior military commanders, and members of the public for the morning prayers, which were followed by a solemn supplication in memory of the fallen heroes.
Later in the morning, the President and First Lady presided over a formal flag-hoisting and guard-mounting ceremony at the Victory Day Monument in the capital. Upon their arrival, they were received by Defence Minister Hassan Rasheed and accompanied by cabinet ministers and senior government officials.
The annual national holiday commemorates the events of 3 November 1988, when a group of Maldivian conspirators, aided by armed mercenaries from a Sri Lankan Tamil militant group, launched an attack on the capital in an attempt to overthrow the government. Nineteen Maldivians — eight soldiers and eleven civilians — were killed before state forces, assisted by military intervention from India, successfully thwarted the coup.
In a statement posted on social media platform X, President Muizzu called on the nation to draw inspiration from the valour shown by the military in preserving the country’s sovereignty.
“The courage and noble jihad carried out by the Maldivian armed forces in ensuring that our land remains free are lessons we must all reflect upon,” President Muizzu wrote, sharing verses from a patriotic anthem dedicated to the martyrs. “These are patriotic lessons that must be taken to heart.”
In a separate official address, Defence Minister Hassan Rasheed reiterated that prioritizing national unity and sovereignty remains the paramount lesson of Victory Day. Recalling the horror of the 1988 assault, he warned against internal betrayal and external threats.
Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, who was serving as head of state during the 1988 attack, also delivered a commemorative message, calling Victory Day a landmark moment in modern Maldivian history.
President Gayoom stated that the unity and resilience shown by citizens 38 years ago demonstrated to the world the deep love Maldivians hold for their national independence, urging current generations to preserve that same spirit of solidarity.
Photo: President’s Office
