MNDF to Host a Grand Three-Day “Eid Haveeru 1447” in Greater Malé

The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) will host “Eid Haveeru 1447”, a three-day Eid celebration in the Greater Malé area, continuing the tradition of previous years.

The festivities will begin on Eid al-Fitr and run daily from 16:00 to 18:00 in Malé, Hulhumalé, and Villingili. The event aims to provide a family-friendly environment where residents can gather and celebrate the occasion together.

The MNDF is coordinating the event, with participation from the Maldives Police Service and ten State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs): State Electric Company (STELCO), Malé Water and Sewerage Company (MWSC), Waste Management Corporation Limited (WAMCO), Maldives Ports Limited (MPL), Housing Development Corporation (HDC), State Trading Organisation (STO), Maldives Airports Company (MACL), Road Development Corporation (RDC), Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC), and Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO).

Event Locations

• Malé: From the marble pavement outside the Islamic Centre to Republic Square (Jumhooree Maidhaan) and the Official Jetty.
• Hulhumalé: Central Park and Hiyaa Park, Phase 2.
• Villimalé: Villimalé Football Ground.
• Sultan Park: Open on Eid al-Fitr day for public access.

According to MNDF, the event will feature a range of activities, including sports, entertainment, and the distribution of Eid gifts. Themed stalls hosted by state institutions and business corporations will offer interactive games and sporting activities, especially designed for children.

The MNDF will also provide special displays:

• Military uniforms and weapons used in operations.
• Various land and sea vehicles.
• Opportunities for the public to take photos and experience equipment firsthand.

Additionally, the that Sultan Park will be open for Eid al-Fitr celebrations, MNDF said.

The MNDF encourages residents and visitors to attend and enjoy the celebrations, which continue the tradition of bringing communities together during Eid while showcasing the capabilities of the nation’s defence and state institutions.

Since the announcement, the celebration has faced criticism for “wasteful expenditure” amid the ongoing US-Iran conflict, which is affecting the global economy. As a nation dependent on both imports and tourism, the Maldives could face further financial strain if the conflict continues.

Since the conflict began on 28 February, tourist arrivals have started to decline, particularly as Middle Eastern airspace remains closed. Flights from Europe, which accounts for seven of the Maldives’ top visitor markets, rely on Middle Eastern airspace to reach the country. In February, the Maldives welcomed an average of 8,000 to 10,000 visitors daily, according to data published by the Ministry of Tourism and Environment. In the first ten days of March, arrivals fell by roughly half, with daily visitor numbers in the 4,000s, except for 1 March (6,440 visitors) and 6–7 March (5,238 and 5,886 visitors respectively).

Tax revenue also showed signs of slowing. According to the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA), February 2026 collections reached MVR 2.80 billion, slightly lower than the same month last year and below official projections.

MP for Galolhu Uthuru constituency, Mohamed Ibrahim (Kudu), questioned the timing of the celebrations, asking whether no one had advised the MNDF against holding them while the world faces a war “with no end in sight.”