Former presidents Gayoom, Nasir to receive 50th Independence Day Shield of Honour

The government has decided to award shields of honour on the occasion of 50 Years of Independence of the Maldives, to former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and former President the late Ibrahim Nasir.

At a press conference today, President’s Office Spokesperson Ibrahim Muaz Ali said that the shields will be presented at the Independence Day official ceremony, on 26 July 2015.

Muaz said that the award is being presented to Nasir because he is the figure behind the Maldives gaining independence, and to Gayoom because he upheld the country’s independence and sovereignty for 30 years.

“President Yameen decided to present the award to Gayoom to recognise his services to the nation during his 30 years as president, to uphold and sustain the independence and sovereignty achieved by Nasir,” Muaz said.

The government has decided to invite Maldivian citizens born on 26 July 1965, the day the Maldives gained independence from the British, to the official ceremony to mark 50 years of independence.

The ceremony will also be attended by over 100 foreign dignitaries.