Jumhooree Party (JP) leader and Member of Parliament for Maamigili constituency, Qasim Ibrahim, has been conferred with the Order of the Distinguished Rule of Izzuddin, one of the highest national honours in the Maldives.

The title was presented by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu during a special ceremony held this morning to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the country's independence.

Qasim, a prominent businessman and veteran statesman, previously received the Nishan Mulige Honour in 2013. He has also been the recipient of multiple national service awards, including the 1988 Public Service Bravery Award for Business Development, the 1995 Public Service Bravery Award in Tourism, and the 2007 National Award of Honour for distinguished service to the nation.

Internationally, Qasim has been recognised for his contributions to humanitarian causes. Notably, the Open University of Malaysia awarded him its highest honour in the field of humanitarian service, along with an honorary PhD.

Widely credited with transforming the Maldivian business landscape, Qasim played a pivotal role in the development of the tourism sector. He has also contributed extensively to education and healthcare, providing scholarships and financial assistance to those in need of medical treatment.

Over the years, Qasim has held numerous high-ranking positions in government and public institutions. These include Speaker of the Special Assembly that drafted the 2008 Constitution, Speaker of Parliament, Minister of Finance, Minister of Home Affairs, and Governor of the Maldives to the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

He has also served as a Member of Parliament for both Ari Atoll and Maamigili constituencies, and was the first non-presidential figure to sign the Maldivian rupee note. In addition, he held leadership roles in key business associations, including the Association of Businessmen, the SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Maldives Association of Tourism Industry, and served on the boards of the Bank of Maldives and Maldives Ports Authority.

Qasim’s lifelong service to national development and his philanthropic efforts continue to leave a lasting impact on the Maldives.