Kashima Shakir conferred Order of Dhiyamigili Dynasty; Four, including Fares Amir, receive National Award of Honor

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu on Saturday conferred the Order of the Dignified Rule of the Dhiyamigili Dynasty to acclaimed Maldivian litterateur Ahmed Shakir, better known as Kashima Shakir, and the National Award of Honor to four others.

The honors were conferred upon them during the National Day function on Saturday morning in HA. Utheemu.

Kashima Shakir was conferred the esteemed national honor in recognition of decades of contribution towards the promotion of Dhivehi literature and history.

Kashima Shakir commenced his public service on July 30, 1969. Over an uninterrupted career of more than 41 years in state service, he held several senior positions, including Legal Counsel and Shipping Master at the Ministry of Transport and Shipping, and Director of Administration, Director General, and Executive Director at the National Centre for Linguistic and Historical Research (NCLHR).

Following his retirement, he taught at Villa College for over 12 years, also serving as a Senior Curriculum Developer. He served as a Member of Parliament for the Malé Atoll constituency in both the People's Majlis and the People's Special Majlis.

Entering the field of Dhivehi literature through his early service at the government printing press, Kashima Shakir went on to achieve widespread acclaim in the performing arts and stage drama. His work spanned the Majeediyya School Golden Jubilee productions to performances with the Olympians, and he founded the Cultural and Dramatic Society (CDS), producing shows for over a decade.

As a Program Producer at Television Maldives (TVM), he wrote screenplays for and trained cast members across numerous celebrated teledramas and films, including Ghaazee Bandaarain, Dhon Hiyala aai Alifulhu, and Tharaaganduge Kashigandu.

Kashima Shakir has also made significant contributions to historical research and authorship in the Maldives. His extensive bibliography includes the 640-page Vihivana Qarunuge Thereygai Dhivehiraajje (Maldives in the 20th Century) and five further volumes in the series, Islam Dheenuge Alikan Dhivehiraajjeah Fethuremun Aigoiy (How the Light of Islam Spread to the Maldives), Dhivehiraajjeyge Sharuee Nizaamu (The Judicial System of the Maldives), and Dhivehiraajjeyge Faisaage Thaareekhu (The History of Maldivian Currency), as well as institutional histories of atate bodies and biographies of eminent national figures.

Kashima Shakir earned a Master of Shariah degree at the age of 69. He has previously been recognized with the National Award of Recognition in the fields of performing arts and public speaking, the Silver Pen for the Service of Journalism, the National Award of Honour in the field of historical writing, and the Dhivehi Language Academy's prestigious Hassan Thaajuddeen Award. In 2025, he received an honorary award at the Sharjah International Narrator Forum.

Kashima Shakir remains active in public service as a member of the Dhivehi Gaumiyyathuge Isvaru in the field of history, and as Chairperson of the National Awards Committee.

Thursday’s ceremony also saw the presentation of the National Award of Honor to four parties. They are:

• Mohamed Amir Ahmed (Fares Amir): National Award of Honor in the field of Dhivehi language and literature
• Society for Health Education (SHE): National Award of Honor in the field of health
• Ibrahim Rasheed: National Award of Honor in the field of architecture and construction
• Najuma Hussain: National Award of Honor in the field of news and information dissemination

Of the four, Fares Amir is an acclaimed Maldivian litterateur. He has spent over 17 years in the education sector, contributing to the development of the Dhivehi language curriculum, authoring syllabi and textbooks, and working on examinations.

Amir entered the field of Dhivehi language and literature after completing a poetry composition course organized by the National Center for Linguistic and Historical Research in 1988, followed by an advanced poetry course. The instructor for both courses was the late Yoosuf Mohamedfulhu, an exemplary Maldivian poet and mentor to him.

Amir has undertaken extensive work to advance literature and poetry while developing new talent in the discipline. His contributions include conducting voluntary poetry training courses for various schools, teaching in poetry programs organized by various bodies, and providing guidance and instruction to aspiring poets.

He taught poetry across 16 courses within the Dhivehi Language degree program conducted by the Maldives National University. In addition to his literature contributions, Amir, trained in education and journalism, works as a teacher, author, and newspaper editor.