Islam is foundation of Maldivian nation, Gayoom says
Maumoon said Maldivians must continue to demonstrate the same steadfastness in Islam shown by previous generations.
Top Stories
Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has said Maldivians cannot abandon Islam, describing the religion as the foundation of the Maldivian nation.
Maumoon, who ruled the Maldives for 30 years and is also a religious scholar, made the remarks in a video released on social media to mark 900 years since the Maldives embraced Islam.
Extending greetings to the Maldivian people on the occasion, Maumoon said Maldivians must continue to demonstrate the same steadfastness in Islam shown by previous generations.
“I hope that just as the Maldives has remained for the past 900 years, it will continue in the future as a country that is faithful to Islam and sincere in its adherence to the religion,” he said.
Maumoon said Islam was the foundation of the Maldivian nation and that abandoning its guidance was not an option for Maldivians.
“Islam is the foundation of the Maldivian nation. We cannot abandon it and expect to find another path,” he said.
He also called on Maldivians to remain firm on what he described as the true path of Islam in the years ahead.
