30 May 2014, Male'; "We can safeguard our independence by becoming more resilient and self-sufficient" said Her Excellency Ms Dunya Maumoon, Minister of Foreign Affairs. Speaking on the occasion of Martyrs Day, Minister Dunya urged all Maldivians to "not back down from our responsibility to protect our nation".
In her address to the nation, Minister Dunya further asserted that the responsibility to protect and safeguard the independence and heritage of their country was a responsibility of every Maldivian inherited from their forefathers. Their ultimate sacrifice in fulfilling this responsibility is the reason why martyrs are regarded so highly, Minister Dunya asserted. Therefore, while remembering several martyrs who had sacrificed their lives and livelihoods for the future of the nation, she urged Maldivians to not forsake their sacrifice, and work endlessly to protect the independence and heritage of the country.
Minister Dunya also highlighted the important contributions that women make to society and to protecting and safeguarding a country's independence. She noted that the contributions of both men and women are necessary for the development of the country and to improve the economic resilience of the country.
Martyrs Day is celebrated on the first of Sha'aban, the eighth month of the Hijri calendar, every year. The day commemorates the day on which Ah-Sultan Ali the sixth was martyred while fighting for the independence of the country, 470 years back.
ENDS
(Dhivehi) Speech delivered by H.E. Ms.Dunya Maumoon, Foreign Minister of the Republic of Maldives on the occasion of Martyrs Day
Martyr's Day—or shaheedhunge dhuvas as its known locally—in the Maldives celebrates the death of Sultan Ali VI as he fought the Portuguese with little support from the rest of the people. He died in the battlefield in 1558 and is considered a national hero and a martyr. The date of his death was on the 1st day of the month of Shauban, year 965 A.H. of the Islamic calendar. This is why the date changes from year to year in the Gregorian calendar. - See more at: http://aglobalworld.com/holidays-around-the-world/martyrs-day-maldives/#sthash.sHkOnBjM.dpuf
Martyr's Day—or shaheedhunge dhuvas as its known locally—in the Maldives celebrates the death of Sultan Ali VI as he fought the Portuguese with little support from the rest of the people. He died in the battlefield in 1558 and is considered a national hero and a martyr. The date of his death was on the 1st day of the month of Shauban, year 965 A.H. of the Islamic calendar. This is why the date changes from year to year in the Gregorian calendar. - See more at: http://aglobalworld.com/holidays-around-the-world/martyrs-day-maldives/#sthash.sHkOnBjM.dpuf
Martyr's Day—or shaheedhunge dhuvas as its known locally—in the Maldives celebrates the death of Sultan Ali VI as he fought the Portuguese with little support from the rest of the people. He died in the battlefield in 1558 and is considered a national hero and a martyr. The date of his death was on the 1st day of the month of Shauban, year 965 A.H. of the Islamic calendar. This is why the date changes from year to year in the Gregorian calendar. - See more at: http://aglobalworld.com/holidays-around-the-world/martyrs-day-maldives/#sthash.sHkOnBjM.dpuf