The Housing Ministry has instructed that the names of former presidents be removed from a student’s speech at Thursday’s Engineering Awards, leaving only President Mohamed Muizzu’s name included.
Adhadhu has learned that a Maldives Polytechnic student, selected to deliver a speech at the ceremony, submitted a draft to the Housing Ministry for approval, which credited former presidents for their contributions. Following the ministry's directive to omit those names and focus solely on Muizzu, the Polytechnic complied with the changes.
Adhadhu has obtained both the original draft prepared by the Polytechnic, which included the former leaders, and the revised version edited per the Housing Ministry’s instructions to feature only Muizzu.
The names ordered to be removed from the speech include former President Ibrahim Nasir and former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. Additionally, the ministry directed the removal of the name of Al-Ameer Mohamed Fareed Didi.
Sources indicate that lecturers and staff at the Polytechnic have expressed concern about the requirement to prepare a speech that distorts history to praise Muizzu.
"The speech and everything was ready, giving credit where it was due to all former presidents. Then the Housing Ministry strictly instructed to remove all their names and give credit only to Muizzu. They are asking to erase history," a source familiar with the matter said.
When contacted by Adhadhu regarding the matter, the Housing Ministry had not provided a comment by the time of publication.
The Engineers Award, organized by the Housing Ministry, is being held under the theme "Honoring Excellence, Making History." Awards are scheduled to be presented in 10 different categories.
Last year, Muizzu announced that an engineering award would be established starting this year to recognize the services of engineers to the nation. Information suggests that the President himself is slated to receive an award at Thursday’s ceremony.
Since last year, Muizzu has designated August 30 as "Maldivian Engineers Day," to be observed at a national level.
