The 2026 Riveli Award, in recognition of persons with disabilities and their efforts, was conferred on 8 people by the state.
This year's Riveli Award had six categories, which were:
- Category for Persons with Disabilities.
- Category for Individuals achieving notable success and prestige in various fields.
- Category for providing education to children and persons with disabilities.
- Category for non-governmental organizations providing services to persons with disabilities.
- Category for providing technical and individual assistance.
- Category for contributing to the economic empowerment of persons with disabilities.
There were 25 nominations for this year's award. The relevant committee decided to confer the award upon 8 parties. Four of them were persons with disabilities and four of them are parties who work for the benefit of persons with disabilities.
First Lady Sajidha Mohamed presented the awards last night.
Award winners:
- Ali Sameem, Rihiveli, HDh. Kurinbi (Category for Persons with Disabilities).
- Aishath Shafeeq, H. Shafeeqge (Category for Persons with Disabilities).
- Mohamed Nahil Salaam, Asurumaage, S. Maradhoo (Category for Persons with Disabilities).
- Abdul Razzaq Abdul Samad, Haveereenaaz, Sh. Bilehfahi (Category for Persons with Disabilities achieving success and prestige).
- Aminiya School (Category for providing education to persons and children with disabilities).
- Fathimath Mohamed, Alphalaa, HDh. Kulhudhuffushi (Category for providing technical and individual assistance).
- Housing Development Corporation Limited (Category for companies contributing to the economic empowerment of persons with disabilities), state company category.
- Conrad Maldives Rangali Island (Category for companies contributing to the economic empowerment of persons with disabilities), private company category.
During last night's ceremony, a commemorative plaque was also presented by Minister of Health Geela Ali to a person with hearing loss for being the first to complete a Bachelors of Information Technology at the Maldives National University (MNU). The award was presented to Ismail Rahil, Endherimaage, Sh. Komandoo.
The Riveli Awards were launched by the government in 2012 in recognition of the progress and success of persons with disabilities, and for the efforts of those working for the benefit of persons with disabilities.
The Riveli Award has been presented a total of five times and has been conferred to 67 people. This includes 30 persons with disabilities and 37 parties working for the benefit of persons with disabilities.
