President Dr Mohamed Muizzu and First Lady Madam Sajidha Mohamed on Wednesday attended the flag ceremony to mark the National Day.

The function was held at 0600hrs at Republic Square.

The First Couple accompanied by Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef, his spouse, Aishath Afreen Mohamed, and senior government officials.

Upon arrival, President Dr Muizzu and the First Lady were welcomed by the Minister of Defence, Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon, and the Minister of Dhivehi Language, Culture and Heritage, Adam Naseer Ibrahim.

The ceremony also included a special prayer recitation to mark the significance of the occasion. The ceremony concluded with the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) military band performing the Maldives’ national anthem.

National Day, celebrated annually on the first of Rabi’ al-Awwal, serves as a solemn reminder of the valiant efforts of national hero al-Sultan al-Ghaazee Muhammad Thakurufaanu al-A’uzam in liberating the Maldives from Portuguese dominion. This day is a tribute to the resilience and sacrifice that underpin the nation’s independence.