Monday, November 5, 2007

Broaden horizon and make informed choices – President

05 November 2007
Report: Soodh

President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom yesterday night called on the people to broaden their horizon and to make informed choices. In his address at the Official Commemoration of Victory Day, held at the Republic Square in Male’, President Gayoom urged the people to widen their sphere of concern beyond the individual and the family. Highlighting that, in addition to their ward and island, people should get more accustomed to embracing issues of national interest as a priority. He also noted the importance of including the best interest of future generations in our decision-making process.

Speaking on the benefits of making long-term decisions, President Gayoom elaborated that molding our thinking to incorporate the best interest of the nation and its future generations was of further importance at a time of unprecedented transformation and reform in the Maldives. He also urged the people to reaffirm their resolve to further strengthen the bonds of friendship and fraternity.

Focusing on the failed coup attempt of 3 November 1988, President said that the coup attempt of the most horrific incident in the contemporary history of the Maldives. He also said that the 24-hours from 4.30 in the morning of 3 November was the most dangerous that he had witnessed throughout his life. He noted that, with the Grace of the Almighty Allah, the Maldives, its national security forces and the people had emerged victorious on that day. He offered thanks and praise to the brave soldiers and members of the general public who fought for the independence, sovereignty and security of the country on that fateful day. He also expressed the gratitude of the Maldives to the Government of India, for the pivotal role of Indian security forces in defeating the PLOTE terrorists.

In his welcome remarks, the Minister of Home Affairs, Abdulla Kamaaludeen said that, with the Blessings of Almighty Allah, the 3 November 1988 coup attempt was defeated. He noted that many patriotic Maldivians had risked their lives for their country on that day. He stressed the role of the President in planning the security forces’ offensive against the terrorists on that day, and noted that the President had fulfilled his duty to safeguard the country and its people in an exemplary fashion.

He added that, although the 3 November 1988 attack was successfully defeated, terrorism had arrived in the Maldives today in a different shape and form.

A minute of silence was observed at the meeting in memory of the martyrs who lost their lives on 3 November 1988. A special video song compiled by the Maldives National Defense Force was also aired during the meeting. The meeting ended with a special supplication, which was led by the Assistant Executive Director at the Centre for Holy Quran, Usman Abdulla.

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