Defence Minister Hassan Rasheed has said that the most important lesson every Maldivian should take from Victory Day is the importance of putting the nation first.
Speaking at the ceremony marking Victory Day today, the minister described 3 November 1988 as a day when the Maldives was plunged into fear and uncertainty. He said the attack, carried out by a group of Maldivians in collaboration with foreign forces, was a serious attempt to undermine the country’s independence and sovereignty.
Recalling how 19 innocent Maldivians were killed and many others injured in the brutal attack, Hassan Rasheed said the sacrifices made by those who lost their lives demonstrated the importance of placing the nation above all else.
“The most important lesson we must take from Victory Day is to put the Maldivian nation first. The brave servicemen who sacrificed their lives for their religion and country on that day showed us exactly what that means. Through their ultimate sacrifice, they protected the independence and sovereignty of our nation. This country will forever remain indebted to them,” Hassan Rasheed said.
The minister also stressed that every Maldivian must remain united and steadfast in protecting the country from threats and hostile schemes. He added that the love and patriotic spirit people hold for Islam and their homeland must always be strengthened.
Victory Day is observed annually on 3 November to commemorate the Maldives’ victory against the attempted coup and foreign-backed attack of 3 November 1988.
The attack was carried out by a group of Maldivians working alongside the People’s Liberation Organisation of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE), a Sri Lankan militant group. A total of 19 Maldivians were killed during the attack, including eight members of the security forces and 11 civilians.
