President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and First Lady Fazna Ahmed have participated in the flag hoisting ceremony to mark the 57th Anniversary of the Independence of the Maldives. The ceremony was held at Republic Square at 0550hrs.
President Solih and First Lady Fazna were accompanied at the ceremony by Vice President Faisal Naseem and other senior officials of the government. Upon arrival at Republic Square, the president and first lady were greeted by Minister of Defense Mariya Ahmed Didi and the Minister of Home Affairs Imran Abdulla. A special prayer was recited at the ceremony by Sheikh Ahmed Maumoon.
Flag hoisting ceremonies were also held in the Greater Male’ Region and all the inhabited islands across the Maldives. The flag hoisting ceremony began at Republic Square in 1992, which was the year the military service celebrated its 100th anniversary.
Ministry of Home Affairs has stated that the official Independence Day celebrations will not be held this year. However, the national security service has held a parade to celebrate Independence Day as well as the 130th anniversary of the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF).
Independence Day celebrations are held on July 26 each year to celebrate the Maldives gaining independence in 1965, following 77 years as a British protectorate.