National flag to fly at half-mast as Maldives mourns passing of Karanka Rasheed

The Maldivian government has made the decision to fly the national flag at half-mast as the country mourns the passing of Ibrahim Rasheed (Karaka Rasheed), a former high-ranking government official with a record of over half a century of public service who passed away earlier this Sunday at the age of 92 years.

Karanka Rasheed – who was conferred the Order of the Distinguished Rule of Izzuddin for over 65 years of public service – passed away at his residence H. Karankage in Male’ on Sunday afternoon.

Karanka Rasheed began his career in public service in November 1942, as a secretary at the Bodu Store – which later evolved into State Trading Organization (STO).

He later went on to serve as secretary to Mohamed Ameen Dhoshimeynakilegefaanu – the first president of Maldives, Deputy Home Minister, Home Minister, and Health Minister.

He also served the Parliament, and on the President’s advisory council.

Karanka Rasheed played a key role alongside former Maldivian Prime Minister Ibrahim Nasir in securing Maldives’ political independence from Britain. He also went on to play a key role working alongside Nasir in securing Maldives’ economic independence from a clique of Indian traders in 1962.

He also played a pivotal role in beginning English medium education in Maldives, in opening a government hospital and health centers in the atolls, in developing the national airport, and in all national projects to develop transport and telecommunication infrastructure at the time.

Karanka Rasheed was conferred the Order of the Distinguished Rule of Izzuddin for his invaluable service to the State and people of Maldives in 2011.