First Couple Arrive in Utheemu After Attending Flag Hoisting Ceremony for National Day
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu attending the National Day flag hoisting ceremony on Auagut 24, 2025 | Photo: President’s Office
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu and First Lady Sajidha Mohamed arrive in Utheemu, Haa Alifu Atoll, today to take part in the National Day celebrations, following the flag hoisting ceremony held this morning at Republic Square in Malé.
Vice President Uz Hussain Mohamed Latheef and senior government officials, along with the. Minister of Defence Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon and Minister of Dhivehi Language, Culture and Heritage Adam Naseer Ibrahim welcomed the President and the First Lady to the ceremony.
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The event featured a special prayer marking the significance of the occasion, followed by the national anthem performed by the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) military band.
ބޮޑުތަކުރުފާނުގެ އަގުހުރި ޤައުމީ ޖިހާދުގެ ނަޞްރާއި ކާމިޔާބީއަށް 466 އަހަރު މިއަދު ފުރުނު އިރު، އެ ޒިކުރާތަކާއި އެ ހޯއްދެވި ފަޚުރާއި ޝަރަފް ދިވެހީންގެ ހިތްތަކުގައި ދަނީ ތާޒާކަމާއެކު ދިރެމުން.
ދިވެހީންގެ ހަށިގަނޑުގައި ޖަހާ ޤައުމީ ވިންދު އަބަދުވެސް ހަނދާންކޮށްދެނީ، މި ޤައުމުގެ… pic.twitter.com/qp0fE0FR2D— Dr Mohamed Muizzu (@MMuizzu) August 24, 2025
National Day, observed annually on the first of Rabi’ al-Awwal, commemorates the victory of al-Sultan al-Ghaazee Muhammad Thakurufaanu al-A’uzam in liberating the Maldives from Portuguese rule. The day honours the courage and sacrifice that under the nation’s independence.
In a post on X, President Muizzu extended the Maldivian citizens’ National Day greetings and reaffirmed the nation’s commitment to remain patriotic and independent. He said the national flag carried by the nation stands as a reminder to draw inspiration from the determination and bravery of the remarkable leaders who defended the country’s cause.
“Today marks the 466th anniversary of the victory achieved through the invaluable national struggle led by a great leader, Boduthakurufaanu, a triumph whose pride and glory continue to resonate with the Maldivian people,” he said.
As part of this year’s celebrations, President Dr Muizzu has decided to confer the Presidential Honour for Distinguished Service to the Nation of Maldives upon the people of Utheemu in recognition of their role in preserving national heritage. The honour acknowledges the community’s dedication to safeguarding Utheemu Ganduvaru, a site of historic significance that has remained under their care for nearly five centuries.
The award will be formally presented during the official National Day ceremony in Utheemu tomorrow morning, scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m. The President will also present the National Award of Honour and the National Award of Recognition. Three individuals, including one posthumous recipient, will receive the National Award of Honour, while nine individuals and organisations will be recognised with the National Award of Recognition for their contributions to national development.
