Islamic Minister Dr. Mohamed Shaheem has said that Maldivians should be glad to have a government that promotes Islam.

He made the remarks during a ceremony held at Dharubaaruge convention centre to commemorate the 898th anniversary of the Day the Maldives Embraced Islam.

"Today, as we mark the 898th anniversary of the Islamic civilization in the Maldives, one thing we should be happy about is the existence of a government that is determined to promote Islam in our country," Shaheem said.

Islam has lasted in Maldives for so long due to the hard work of many people at various levels at different times, he added.

Shaheem claimed that the five-year term of this government would create a future that would bring this country into the next century with the Islamic faith.

He stressed that the noble principle of encouraging good and forbidding evil should be maintained in society.