National Flag to be Flown at Half-Mast to Honour Hassan Sobir
Photo: President’s Office
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has declared that the National Flag will be flown at half-mast for three days, starting Tuesday, 29 July 2025, in remembrance of Hassan Sobir, a long-serving statesman and diplomat who passed away earlier today at the age of 73.
Sobir died at Tree Top Hospital following a brief illness. His final rites will be held this evening at a state-sponsored funeral. A public viewing will take place at the Islamic Centre, followed by funeral prayers after Asr prayers.
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In a message of condolence posted on X, President Muizzu expressed his profound sorrow, describing Sobir’s death as a significant national loss.
إِنَّا ِللهِ وَإِنَّآإِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُون
ދިވެހިރާއްޖެއިން ޖަޕާނަށް ކަނޑައަޅާފައި ހުރި ސަފީރު، ނިޝާން ޢިއްޒުއްދީނުގެ ޢިއްޒަތުގެ ވެރިޔާ ޙަސަން ޞާބިރު ދެމިއޮތުމުގެ ޢާލަމަށް ދަތުރުކުރެއްވި ޚަބަރު އަޅުގަނޑު އެހީ ވަރަށް ފުން ހިތާމައާއެކުގައި. ޙަސަން ޞާބިރު ދެމިއޮތުމުގެ ޢާލަމަށް… pic.twitter.com/y9Ll8LZz9t— Dr Mohamed Muizzu (@MMuizzu) July 28, 2025
“During his tenure as a minister, the late Hassan Sobir made significant contributions to the fisheries, agriculture, and tourism sectors. His longest ministerial service was in the tourism industry. As a diplomat, he played a key role in strengthening the Maldives’ foreign relations, serving as ambassador to several countries throughout his distinguished career,” President Muizzu said.
At the time of his passing, Sobir was serving as the Ambassador of the Maldives to Japan. His career in public service began in February 1973 and spanned over 38 years, during which he held various cabinet and diplomatic roles.
President Muizzu extended prayers for eternal peace for Hassan Sobir and offered his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. The President described Sobir as a dedicated public servant whose legacy would continue to inspire future generations.
Recipient of National Honours
Hassan Sobir was conferred the Order of the Distinguished Rule of Izzuddin (O.D.R.I.) at the official Independence Day ceremony yesterday, in recognition of his extensive service to the state. Throughout his career, he played a key role in planning and executing development projects across the country.
Sobir also served as Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture and later as Minister of Tourism, where his leadership contributed to the sector’s expansion. His diplomatic postings included High Commissioner to the UK, Ambassador to Belgium, the EU, Singapore, and Japan.
