Official National Day ceremony to be held in Utheemu this year

The government has announced that this year's official National Day ceremony will be held in HA. Utheemu.

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu had earlier announced that the National Day ceremony will be held in Utheemu this year and the next. Previously, the ceremony was always held in capital Male'.

An announcement made by the Ministry of Language, Culture and Heritage states that they are seeking event organizers to manage the National Day ceremony and flag hoisting ceremony at Utheemu.

National Day is marked on Rabiul Awwal 1 of the Islamic Hijri calendar. This year it falls on August 24.

National Day is marked to commemorate the victory of Muhammad Thakurufaanu Al Auzam (Bodu Thakurufaanu) and his companions in driving out the Portuguese from the Maldives. Bodu Thakurufaanu hailed from Utheemu.

Bodu Thakurufaanu was one of four sons of Utheemu Hussain Hatheeb. The 'Utheemu Gan'duvaru' {Utheemu Palace) in Utheemu was their family residence.