President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has decided to confer the national honour for the people of Utheemu, Haa Alifu Atoll for their role in preserving national heritage and history of the Maldives.
The birthplace of national hero Sultan Mohamed Thakurufaanu, Utheemu holds immense historical and national significance.
The President’s decision is based on generations of the people of Utheemu in preserving and maintaining the ‘Utheemu Ganduvaru’ - once the residence of Sultan Mohamed Thakurufaanu for the last 500 years.
The special honour will be conferred during the national day official celebrations hosted by Utheemu on Sunday.
The President will present this year’s National Awards of Honour and the National Awards of Recognition during the official National Day ceremony.
This year, there will be three recipients of the National Award of Honour and nine will be honoured with the National Award of Recognition, according to the President’s Office.
For the National Award of Honour, the President will present a shield, a badge of honour, and a commemorative certificate. For the National Award of Recognition, the President will present a commemorative plaque and certificate.