President attends flag hoisting ceremony to mark Independence Day

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih (C) participates in the flag hoisting ceremony to mark 56th anniversary of Maldives' Independence on July 26, 2021. (Sun Photo/Fayaz Moosa)

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and First Lady Fazna Ahmed, on Monday, participated in the commemorative flag hoisting ceremony to mark the 56th anniversary of independence to Maldives.

The ceremony was held at the Republic Square in Male’ City at 05:50 am this Monday.

President Solih and First Lady Fazna were greeted upon arrival at the Republic Square by Defense Minister Mariya Ahmed Didi and Home Minister Imran Abdulla.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih recites a special prayer at the flag hoisting ceremony to mark 56th anniversary of Maldives' Independence on July 26, 2021. (Sun Photo/Fayaz Moosa)

A special prayer was recited at the ceremony by Sheikh Ahmed Abdul Kareem before the flag was hoisted.

The flag hoisting ceremony was also attended by Vice President Faisal Naseem, Cabinet ministers and other senior government officials.

President is scheduled to deliver his Independence Day address at 10:00 am.

Flag hoisting ceremony to mark 56th anniversary of Maldives' Independence on July 26, 2021. (Sun Photo/Fayaz Moosa)

Maldives became a British protectorate in 1887, and gained full political independence from Britian over half a century later, on July 26, 1965, with the signing an agreement between Maldives and Britian.

The historic agreement was signed by Maldivian Prime Minister Ibrahim Nasir and British Ambassador o Maldives Sir Michael Walker in Colombo.