Former Presidents Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and Mohamed Nasheed have sent out National Day greetings to the people of Maldives.
Both took to Twitter on Sunday, as the country marked the day it gained freedom from the Portuguese colonial rule in 1573 AD.
Sending out greetings, former President Maumoon noted that as we mark National Day, "the people must take a good look at the current state of the nation".
"May Allah help safeguard our independence and national identity," added Maumoon, who ruled the nation for 30 years.
Happy National Day to all Maldivians! May Allah help us safeguard our independence and national identity!
— Maumoon Abdul Gayoom (@maumoonagayoom) November 19, 2017
His successor, and the first democratically elected leader of the country, former President Nasheed tweeted in Dhivehi, emphasizing that the nation was built on its history, traditions as well as the principles of Islam.
The Maldives marks its National Day on the 1st of Rabi al-Awwal.
Maumoon and Nasheed, former adversaries, formed a coalition in March this year, months after former President Maumoon withdrew support for the current administration and his half-brother, incumbent President Abdulla Yameen.
