President presents the National Award of Honor to five individuals

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih presented the National Award of Honor and the National Award of Recognition at the special ceremony held last night to mark this year’s National Day.

Five honorees received the National Award of Honor this year.

They include the noted writer M. Madulu Mohamed Waheed who has been a dedicated figure in the field of Maldivian and Dhivehi literature for nearly 46 years.

Two people received the National Award of Honor in the field of sports. They are Sayyid Ali and the late Sayyid Hassan for their valuable contributions to sports. Sayyid Ali is a notable name in many different sports including Volleyball, Football, Tennis, Basketball, Table Tennis and Athletics, meanwhile, the late Sayyid Hassan who was awarded posthumously was a successful figure in the field and played numerous sports ranging from Chess, Volleyball, Hockey, Football, and Cricket.

The late Dr. Abdul Majeed Abdul Bari also received the award posthumously. One of the most respected scholars in the Maldives, Dr. Abdul Majeed Abdul Bari remains the first and only Maldivian to graduate with a Ph.D. from Medina University. His thesis has been printed three times and used in libraries and several educational institutes. Dr. Abdul Majeed also served as the Islamic Minister, as a lecturer in the National University and Villa College as well as on the highest council on Islamic affairs in the Maldives.

Dr. Afraasheem Ali, who also received the honor this year had worked as a teacher and served in several government ministries before being elected as the Ungoofaaru MP to the Parliament. Dr. Afraasheem also served as a member and Vice President of the Judicial Service Commission, President of the social and religious wing of DRP and as a member of the PPM’s council.

The five honorees that received the National Award of Honor this year were;

• Late Dr. Afrasheem Ali (Posthumous), for his contributions towards Islamic awareness and Islamic education;
• Late Dr. Abdul Majeed Abdul Bari (Posthumous), for his contributions in the field of Islamic knowledge and education;
• Mohamed ‘Madulu’ Waheed, in the area of Dhivehi literature in promoting Dhivehi language;
• Sayyid Ali, for his contributions to sports in sportsmanship and sports development;
• Late Sayyid Hassan (Posthumous), for his contributions in the area of sports in sportsmanship and sports development;

The National Award of Recognition

The National Award of Recognition was bestowed upon 20 individuals this year as well as one organization. The awards previously given on the Jumhooree Day was switched to the National Day by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

The awards are bestowed to recognize individuals and civil organizations who work for the betterment and benefit of the community and the country. 21 individuals received the honor this year including individuals in the fields teaching, Islamic education and holy Quran, Dhivehi literature, fisheries, arts and craft, diving and performing arts.

The twenty-one honorees that received the National Award of Recognition this year were;

• Mohamed Thaufeeq Ali, in the area of recitation and teaching of the Holy Quran;
• Dr. Abdulla Jameel, for his contributions in the field of Islamic awareness and Islamic education;
• Mohamed Shifan, in the area of Dhivehi literature in promoting oratory skills;
• Maryam Shathurath Shakir, for her contributions in the field of teaching children with special needs;
• Ahmed Afaal, for his contributions in health sector development;
• Rahma Easa, in the area of human rights and social protection, especially services to persons with special needs;
• Abdulla Shafeeq Nishan, for his contributions in the fisheries sector;
• Zeenaz Hussain, for her contributions in the field of tourism and training tourism-sector staff;
• Tiny Hearts of Maldives, for its contribution to social work;
• Aneesa Mohamed, in the area of promoting arts and crafts;
• Ibrahim Solih, for his contributions to promoting arts and crafts;
• Shaziya Saeed, in the field of diving;
• Aishath Shareefa, for her contributions in the area of hair care and beauty;
• Mohamed Shakir Abdulla, in the area of disseminating news and information;
• Hussain Fariyad, for his contributions in the field of news and information dissemination;
• Imran Mohamed, in the field of sports and promoting professional sportsmanship;
• Ismail Mahfooz, for his contributions in the area of sports and promoting professional sportsmanship;
• Ibrahim Shiuree, in the field of sports and promoting professional sportsmanship;
• Fadhuwa Zahir, for her contributions to sports and sportsmanship;
• Abdul Rasheed Ali, in the area of performing arts; and,
• Aishath Shamla, for her contributions to the field of applied arts.