Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has stated that we must remember that Maldives was able to remain as an independent sovereign nation because of Islam.

In his message to mark the Day Maldives Embraced Islam, the former President said Islam was the biggest gift Maldives had and was an integral part of Maldivian identity. As such, he said the brotherly ties that had existed in the Maldives was due to this.

President Maumoon, like his half-brother and incumbent President Abdullah Yameen, called on to be aware of attacks on Islam. He said unity was essential in such movements.

He added that while Maldives had embraced Islam in 1153, the day was not marked formally until 1954 under the reign King Mohamed Fareed. President Maumoon said there was a break of 33 years when the day was not marked in the Maldives. The day was then marked in the fifth term of President Maumoon.

The former President noted that the state had started to mark the day in a bid to united Maldivians, remind Maldivians of their faith and to protect Islam and the nation.