Four individuals who received the highest honours of the Maldivian State, the Order of the Distinguished Rule of Izzuddin, were presented with badges of honour and shields by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu. State honours are bestowed under the National Honours Act, which grants the executive the authority to determine honours, medals, titles, and colours.
These accolades encompass the Highest Honour of the State, the Distinguished Honour of the State, and state honours granted solely under presidential discretion. During the ceremony, the Order of the Distinguished Rule of Izzuddin was conferred upon four individuals, two of whom had previously received the Order of the Dignified Rule of the Muleege Dynasty.
Among the distinguished recipients was Mohamed Moosa (Champa), who is a previous recipient of the Order of the Dignified Rule of the Muleege Dynasty. Demonstrating an early aptitude for commerce during his youth, Moosa pursued his education at Majeediyya School before continuing his studies at Jamia Darussalam in Oomerabad, Tamil Nadu, India, where he achieved fluency in Hindi and Urdu. Seeking diverse vocational experience, he subsequently travelled to Coimbatore to work across various manufacturing facilities prior to returning to the Maldives. Driven by a commitment to economic expansion, he established agricultural initiatives, instructed others in farming techniques, and supplied local markets with affordable produce. His agricultural contributions earned him a seat on the government Agriculture Advisory Board alongside the ‘Thimaavesheege Fehi Faiy’ award in recognition of his work with flora.
Moosa operates the Champa Wholesale enterprise, supplying provisions to the tourism sector and the general public while distributing agricultural yield and fertiliser from Thilafushi to the Malé market. He also manages industrial operations and a boatyard. Regarded as a foundational architect of the Maldivian tourism industry, his extensive investments continue to generate financial returns for local families. Seeking to advance public awareness regarding press freedom, he founded the nation's private broadcasting stations, including Dhi FM, Dhi FM Plus, and Dhi TV.
Through the Ali Fulhu Thuthu Foundation, established by his family, he has provided annual scholarships and spearheaded infrastructure projects, including the development of Addu International Airport and Madivaru Domestic Airport in Lhaviyani Atoll. His instrumental role in establishing the Maldives Finance and Leasing Company, the Commercial Bank of Maldives, and the tertiary-level Tree Top Hospital has substantially advanced the national economy and healthcare sectors. Having received the Order of the Dignified Rule of the Muleege Dynasty in 2013, his broader recognition includes the 2022 Tourism Gold Award and the 2024 Face of South Asia Tourism Award.
The Order of the Distinguished Rule of Izzuddin was also presented to Ibrahim Rasheed Moosa, an esteemed scholar whose career spans multiple disciplines. Having earned distinction for his efforts to expand public comprehension of Islam, impart religious instruction, and compile religious books, he undertook higher education at Al-Azhar University in Egypt. Upon returning to the Maldives, he commenced his professional life as a mathematics teacher at Majeediyya School.
Noted as a prominent figure within mathematics education, he played a central role in establishing the Arabic Islamic education centre, Mauhad al-Dhiraasaathil Islamiyya, during the early tenure of President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. Directing the institution, he emphasised human resource development by broadening Arabic-language instruction across primary and secondary levels while enabling numerous students to pursue religious studies abroad. Concluding a public service career exceeding 43 years, he served primarily at the Mauhad al-Dhiraasaathil Islamiyya and later the Kulliyyah al-Dhiraasaathil Islaamiyyah, retiring from his post as President of the National Centre for the Holy Quran.
Hussain Afeef (Champa), was recognised as a pioneering founder of Maldivian tourism and received the Order of the Distinguished Rule of Izzuddin. He is a previous recipient of the Order of the Dignified Rule of the Muleege Dynasty. His dedication to national service is reflected in his sustained efforts to develop the tourism sector, beginning with hands-on work in resort kitchens, tour operations, and management to maintain strict hospitality standards. Introducing a transformative shift to the industry, he established the world's first fully solar-powered resort at Gasfinolhu while spearheading international promotional campaigns in Europe. As a founding member of the Maldives Association of Tourism Industry, where he serves as Chairman after holding the position of Vice Chairman, his entrepreneurial reach extends into aviation, banking, and healthcare.
His involvement in developing Addu International Airport and establishing the Tree Top Hospital introduced tertiary healthcare services and the nation's first fertility clinic. Operating under the Ali Fulhu Thuthu Foundation, named in honour of his father, Afeef has directed corporate social responsibility programmes, funding student education and establishing water and sewerage systems across inhabited islands. Through his chairmanship of the Commercial Bank of Maldives, he has advanced financial development for local enterprises. His accolades include the Public Service Medal in Tourism in 1989, the Public Service Honour in Tourism in 2004, the title of State Dignitary in 2010, and the Order of the Dignified Rule of the Muleege Dynasty in 2013.
The final recipient of the Order of the Distinguished Rule of Izzuddin was Dr Mohamed Latheef, whose service to the state spans more than four decades, predominantly within education. Tasked with modernising the educational system and expanding higher education, he served as Minister of Education. Throughout his 22-year tenure in the educational sphere, he contributed to establishing the Educational Development Centre for curriculum design and teacher training, the Institute for Teacher Education, and the Maldives Centre for Management and Administration.
Operating as the chief architect of the nation's first and second Education Master Plans, Latheef expanded secondary education, instituted a Built-in Supervision System, and participated in founding the Maldives College of Higher Education. Having earned both a Master of Education and a Ph.D. in Educational Planning from the University of Wales in the United Kingdom by 1992, he served in Parliament and the Constitutional Assembly before concluding his career as Chancellor of the Maldives National University.
Shields of honour for the National Award for Public Service were presented to 66 individuals who served the Maldivian state for an extended period by President Muizzu. Celebrated as a prestigious national accolade bestowed by the head of state, the award acknowledges the capability, sincerity, and institutional contributions of long-serving employees. The recipients, representing fields including healthcare, education, and business, received their shields during the official Independence Day function.
A total of 130 application forms were submitted by the public nomination deadline of 11 June, according to the President's Office. To qualify for the distinction, candidates must be active or former employees of a state institution, government company, or majority government-owned enterprise, with nominations submitted by respective organisations, third parties, or self-nomination.