Presidential Honour conferred on people of Utheemu

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has today conferred the Presidential Honour for Distinguished Service to the Nation on the people of HA. Utheemu. 

The shield of honour was presented by President Muizzu to Utheemu Council President Abdulla Rasheed at the special National Day celebrations being held in Utheemu this morning. 

The President's Office said that the President decided to confer the honour on the people on Utheemu in recognition of their commitment to preserving and maintaining Utheemu Gan'duvaru (Utheemu Palace), a site of national historical importance that has been in their care for nearly five centuries. 

Maldives' National Day is marked to celebrate Mohamed Thakurufaanu freeing the Maldives from the Portuguese occupation in 1573. Mohamed Thakurufaanu hailed from the island of Utheemu. 

Mohamed Thakurufaanu was one of four sons of Utheemu Hussain Hatheeb. The Utheemu Gan'duvaru was their family residence. 

The Utheemu Gan'duvaru is of historic importance in view of the sacrifices of Mohamed Thakurufaanu and his brothers Ali Thakurufaanu and Hassan Thakurufaanu in the successful struggle to free Maldives from Portuguese occupation. 

National Day is marked annually on Rabeeul Awwal 1 of the Hijri calendar.