Sultan Ali’s jihad calls on Maldivians not to fall for foreign greed: President

The sacrifice of Sultan Ali IV, also known as Ali Rasgefaanu calls on the people of Maldives not to bow at the feet of the greed of foreign powers.

The President said this in his address on the occasion of Martyrs' Day. In the address, the President also urged loyalty to the state.

Martyrs’ Day is marked on the day on which Sultan Ali IV was martyred in a battle against the Portuguese. Martyrs' Day was established as an official day in 1400 AH.

In his first address on Martyrs' Day, President Muizzu said that Martyrs' Day brings with it many important national lessons. The pages of history should be looked at to understand and learn the lessons.

After that, the President brought up the story of how the Portuguese had the opportunity to invade Maldives, and how Sultan Kalhu Mohammed betrayed his nation and religion in his greed for power. In his reign he had handed over all the control of the Maldivian coir rope and fisheries trading to the Ali Rajas of Kannanur, India, under the full control of the Malabar.

The President also said that it was decided to give away half of the sea treasures found in Maldivian waters such as gold and ambergris, as well as half of all the food and cowrie and rope produced in Maldives under the treaty signed with Ali Raja to claim the kingdom of the Maldives. In addition to this, President Muizzu spoke of how Sultan Kalhu Mohammed had also given away the islands R. Kinalhos and N. Kendhikulhudhoo to Ali Rajas.

The President said Maldives saw the day of martyrs through the relationship established by 19-year-old Sultan Hassan, the grandson of Sultan Kalhu Mohammed, with the Portuguese. Looking at that history, on the one hand, we see the selfish betrayal of the country, and on the other hand, we see the way foreign powers work and their cunning plans, Muizzu said.

"Ali Rasgefaanu’s sacrifice is calling on today's politicians. He is calling on them not to fall at the feet of foreign greedy powers. He is calling on Maldivians to seek our own security. Ali Rasgefaanu’s jihad is calling on the media too; warning us to not spread false news. Ali Rasgefaanu’s jihad is calling on the youth too. It is advising youth to not go beyond one's own religion and one's own country in the gust of youth," he said.

The President said that the Jihad of Sultan Ali is one of the greatest lessons for today’s people that God will give victory to the right. It is not related to the size of land or population, he said.

Noting that Kinolhas and other islands given away by his ancestors to a foreign power had been restored to the people by Sultan Ali, President Muizzu said that his government would also recover the lost part of the sea territory. He said the country would be made a place where there would be no place for foreign military forces.

The President said that in today's world, there are countries that do not possess their own land. He cited Palestine as an example. He said he did not want to see such a day in Maldives.

"My sincere appeal on the day of the proud martyrs is this. Be loyal to the country. Respect and love the religion. Be loyal to the state," the President concluded his address.