Maldives Observes Minute of Silence on National Unity Day

Maldives observed a minute of silence across the nation to commemorate National Unity Day, in a solemn moment of remembrance and honouring the lives lost to the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami.

At 9:23 a.m., the exact moment when tsunami waves struck the shores of the Maldives on 26 December 2004, citizens paused to reflect on the tragedy. The official observance took place at the old site of the Huravee Building in the capital city of Malé, attended by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, cabinet ministers, senior government officials, and representatives from state institutions and nearby offices. Across the country, staff from various offices and residents of inhabited islands also participated in the observance.

Following the minute of silence, a nationwide event was planned to foster unity, with citizens joining hands and exchanging gifts to symbolise solidarity.

National Unity Day, marked on 26 December, serves as a reminder of the incredible spirit of unity and solidarity demonstrated by Maldivians in the aftermath of the 2004 tsunami. On that fateful day, massive tsunami waves hit several countries in the Southeast Asia region, resulting in an unprecedented scale of death and destruction.

As a low-lying island nation, the Maldives bore the full impact of the tsunami, which devastated islands, infrastructure, and livelihoods. The catastrophe claimed 82 lives, left 26 individuals unaccounted for, and rendered over 15,000 people homeless.

In the face of this tragedy, Maldivians came together in an extraordinary show of unity and harmony, proving that togetherness is key to overcoming such challenges. The nation’s resilience and solidarity in the wake of the tsunami demonstrated to the world the strength and unity of the Maldivian people.