President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu appealed for cooperation with the so-called "reform efforts" launched by the government in a message released last night on the occasion of the start of the Islamic New Year of 1446.
The government announced the implementation of reforms to overcome the financial constraints facing the country due to high costs of the state. Despite not reducing government expenditure, cuts have been made in some areas related to the public. The discontinuation of fish purchases at the rate of MVR 20 per kilo with large subsidies to the Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO) is one such example.
In his message on the Islamic New Year, the President said that the meaning of Hijra (migration) is to change the condition of a human being to a better condition. In that sense, "cooperation with the reform efforts" should be the New Year resolution, he said.
"...therefore, our aim with the New Year should be cooperating with the reformative and constructive efforts begun by the government for the future safety, prosperity and civilisation of the Maldives, for everyone to start work in one spirit for the future of this country," the President said in his statement.
The Hijri or Islamic calendar begins with Prophet Mohamed's migration from Mecca to Medina. The first month of the calendar is Muharram, which began on Saturday night.
Highlighting Islamic history, the President said the Prophet's time in Medina shows that he prioritised strengthening unity and brotherhood among Muslims. His life offers examples to follow, he said.
"...one lesson from the success of his efforts in Medina is the importance of public unity for the progress of a country. That families need to be close-knit. That we need to work with industry and energy," the President said in the message.
Despite appealing for unity to reform the country, the President included criticism of the previous government in the message. Undocumented workers reside in the country due to neglect of the problem in the past, he said.
