President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu and First Lady Sajidha Mohamed have arrived in HA. Utheemu to attend the official ceremony and activities marking this year’s National Day.
The President and First Lady received a warm welcome upon their arrival on the historic island on Saturday morning, where the main National Day ceremony is scheduled to begin at 10:00 am.
Utheemu holds particular significance to the occasion as the home island of Al-Sultan Al-Ghaazee Muhammad Thakurufaanu Al-Auzam, whose successful campaign to liberate the Maldives from Portuguese rule is commemorated each year on National Day.
A major part of Saturday’s ceremony will be the presentation of national awards by President Muizzu.
Three individuals and one organisation will receive the National Award of Honour this year, while the National Award of Recognition will be presented to seven individuals and one company.
One individual will also be posthumously presented with the National Award of Service.
During his visit, President Muizzu is also scheduled to inaugurate the newly developed Boduthakurufaanu Memorial Gateway in Utheemu.
An interactive story vault documenting the national struggle led by Boduthakurufaanu will also be inaugurated as part of the day’s activities.
The new facilities are intended to preserve and present the historical significance of the struggle that eventually ended Portuguese rule in the Maldives, while providing visitors with a greater understanding of one of the most important periods in the country’s history.
Official National Day activities in Utheemu began on Friday morning with a flag-hoisting ceremony. Celebrations continued into the evening, with a fireworks display held on the island on Friday night.
President Muizzu and the First Lady had earlier attended the National Day flag-hoisting ceremony at Republic Square in Malé before travelling to Utheemu for the main official gathering.
In his National Day message, the President called on Maldivians to remain united and prevent division and discord from harming the country.
Reflecting on the events commemorated on National Day, Muizzu urged the public to protect the Maldives’ sovereignty, independence and national identity and to place the interests of the nation above all else.
National Day is observed annually on the first day of Rabee-ul-Awwal in the Islamic calendar in remembrance of Muhammad Thakurufaanu’s liberation of the Maldives from Portuguese rule.
Boduthakurufaanu remains one of the country’s most prominent national heroes, with Utheemu closely associated with his life and the resistance he led against Portuguese occupation.
This year’s main ceremony brings the national commemoration back to that historic setting, with the presentation of national awards and the inauguration of new facilities dedicated to preserving the legacy of Boduthakurufaanu.
