CHARTER PRESIDENT’S ACCEPTANCE SPEECH Bismillahirra’hmaanirra’heem ! Al’hmdhulilaahi Rabbl ‘aalameen Wa’salaathu Wa’ssalaam ‘alaa ashrfil Anbiyaai wal Murusaleen Wa’alaa Aalee wa’sa’hbie Ajma’een The World Leader, President of Rotary Internationl Sakuji Tanaka, RI Diretor Shekar Mehtha, (and Madam Rashmi) RI Coordinator for zone 5, Sri Lanka and India, 2012 – 2013, PDG A. S. Venkatesh, District Governor Dharshan John from RI District 3220, District Governor Roy Armstrong from District 9520, Past and Future officers of Rotary International, Visiting Rotarians from RI District 3220 and RI District 9520, Distinguished Invitees, Ladies and Gentlemen, And Last but not the Least, my dear Charter Members of Rotary Club of Male’ Assalaam ‘Alaikum Engaging in the benevolent and honorable movement of the world wide Rotary International has undoubtedly provided the Republic Maldives, through the Rotary Club of Male’, the much coveted opportunity to enhance the services to our country to bring about positive changes and make a difference. The Rotary International yet again, along with the participation of the Republic of Maldives, has taken a giant step forward in the spread of good will, peace, and harmony through the RI motto of Service Above Self, throughout the virgin islands of our unique country, strengthening our ties with the international community. We are sure that if we ENGAGE in ROTARY that will provide the opportunity to CHANGE LIVES of our peoples. We have no doubt, that with the composition of the Rotary Club of Male’, with engagement of highly ethical businessmen and professionals, and with a remarkable diversity both in gender and age, with the sincere efforts of our individual members, our Club is ready to take up the challenges and responsibilities that come along with the right to serve the community and make a difference. Make a Difference in promoting peace and harmony, by attending to the needs of the vulnerable groups, by the provision of safe drinking water and sanitation needs, by creating job opportunities through vocational training and introduction of awareness, in the many fields where the Rotary Club of Male’ is enriched with among its members, and so reaching-out to our peoples in the remoter areas in our country. It is also with great satisfaction that we note our opportunity to learn more and increase our own knowledge through the interactions with the community that will come along through out our journey. As we embark on our journey with the ideals of Rotary in mind, it is encouraging, and provides reason to be confident to face the challenges, with the commitment and

dedication that we have seen among the members of the Rotary Club of Male’, in times of prosperity and adversity. We are further encouraged by the brotherhood and kindly advice and cooperation received from our District in Sri Lanka, and the Regional Office in New Delhi. Together with the World Rotary Family we are ready to Make a Difference within all our differences.

It is our privilege to express our gratitude and heartfelt appreciation for the untiring and persistent guidance and introduction to the ideologies of Rotary by, PP Donald Wilkinson and Rtn. Ahmed Ranesh from the Rotary Club of Eastwood / Australia, IPDG Gehan Sribaddana, and DG Dharshan John from the RI District 3220 in Sri Lanka, and the collaboration from the Regional Office in India, and of course the Rotary International. We, the members of the Rotary Club of Male’, Maldives, and our country itself, are proud to be honored today, and encouraged in our endeavor, with the presence of the World Leader, the President of Rotary International, Sakuji Tanaka as our Chief Guest, in our country. Before I conclude my acceptance speech, with the kind permission of the World Leader, the President of Rotary International, honourable Rotarians, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my dear colleagues in Rotary Club of Male’, who have spent their quality time, with sincere commitment and much enthusiasm, to make this esteemed Chartering Ceremony of the Rotary Club of Male’, a success in its full grandeur and splendor. I must, also not forget to express in this opportunity, on behalf of all the members of the Rotary Club of Male’, our gratitude to all these lovely brothers and sisters from the Rotary world, and outside, who have honoured us by their presence here at this function, from Sri Lanka, India, Maldives, and as far as Australia. Let us together move forward in the true sprit of Rotary to make a difference with peace and harmony, and Engage Rotary to Change the quality of Lives. Wa’Alaikumussalaam Wa Ra’hmathullaahi Wa Barakaathuhu. Rtn. Ahmed Wajeeh President – Rotary Club of Male’ / Maldives.