President confers state honours to Muthasim, Gasim, Sobir

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu on Sunday conferred state honours to three individuals who have served the nation.

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has conferred the Order of the Distinguished Rule of Izzuddin (O.D.R.I) upon Chief Justice (Retired) Ahmed Muthasim Adnan. The esteemed national honour was presented at the official Independence Day ceremony held this morning.

Chief Justice (Retired) Muthasim Adnan is widely acknowledged for his outstanding contributions to strengthening the judiciary of the Maldives. His dedicated service spans the development of human resources within the legal and judicial sectors, as well as notable contributions to foreign affairs in his capacity as a legal adviser.

He was among the first to serve as legal counsel at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where he provided assistance to Maldivians residing abroad and offered legal advice on international treaties to which the Maldives is a party. He has also represented the country at numerous international forums and played a pivotal role in advancing legal education and the training of professionals in both Islamic Shariah and civil law.

During his tenure as Chief Justice, he spearheaded reforms to improve transparency within the judiciary and introduced modern innovations to judicial services. He is highly respected for his steadfast commitment to the rule of law and his efforts to enhance judicial integrity and competence.

Chief Justice (Retired) Muthasim Adnan stepped down from office on 21 July. His distinguished public service includes ten years in the foreign affairs sector, four years and six months as Dean of the Faculty of Law, and over nine years in the judiciary. Altogether, he has served the legal field for more than 33 years.

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has conferred the Order of the Distinguished Rule of Izzuddin (O.D.R.I) on Gasim Ibrahim, who previously received the Honour of the Order of the Dignified Rule of Muleege Dynasty (O.D.R.M.D). The esteemed national honour was presented at the official Independence Day ceremony held this morning.

Gasim Ibrahim is widely recognised as a pioneering figure in the Maldivian business sector. In 1976, at the age of 26, he laid the foundation for his business by mortgaging personal property and securing a loan of MVR 15,000. From these modest beginnings at the western section of the Thaa Atoll Store, he progressed steadily in the field of commerce.

He has remained at the forefront of humanitarian efforts, most notably through his support for Maldivians requiring medical treatment. Today, he is regarded as one of the country’s leading resort developers and a key contributor to the Maldives National Chamber of Commerce and Industry. His longstanding contributions to the nation’s education sector have also been particularly noteworthy.

In addition to his business accomplishments, Gasim Ibrahim has held senior roles within the Government of the Maldives. He served as Minister of Finance and Treasury under former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and concurrently held the position of Governor of the Maldives Monetary Authority. In these roles, he represented the Maldives as Governor to both the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

Gasim Ibrahim has also played a prominent role in the country's political and constitutional development. He was elected President of the Special Majlis during the constitutional reform process initiated under former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom’s reform agenda. Under his leadership, the current Constitution of the Maldives was formulated and adopted.

In recognition of his extensive services to the nation, Gasim Ibrahim was awarded the Honour of the Order of the Dignified Rule of Muleege Dynasty (O.D.R.M.D) in 2013. He has also received the General Service Incentive Award in 1988 for contributions to national business development, the same award again in 1995 for services to tourism, and the National Award of Honour in 2007 for his notable contributions to the community.

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu conferred the Order of the Distinguished Rule of Izzuddin (O.D.R.I.) on Hassan Sobir this morning, during a special ceremony held to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of Independence Day.

Hassan Sobir has been recognised for his exceptional service across key sectors of the national economy, including tourism, fisheries, and agriculture. His notable contributions to the foreign service and his involvement in the planning and implementation of numerous development projects have been instrumental to the nation’s progress.

He began his public service on 7 February 1973, with one of his most prominent early roles at the National Planning Agency. Following the establishment of the Ministry of Planning and Development on 10 November 1982, he continued to serve in various positions within the Ministry.

On 11 November 1993, Sobir was appointed Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture in the cabinet formed after former President Uz Maumoon Abdul Gayoom commenced his fourth term. He continued in cabinet during President Maumoon’s fifth term, this time as Minister of Tourism, where his efforts made a significant impact on the development of the sector.

In subsequent years, Sobir's diplomatic service further cemented his legacy. He has represented the Maldives as High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, the first Resident High Commissioner of Maldives to Singapore, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Belgium and European Union, and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Japan.

He currently serves as the Ambassador of the Maldives to Japan under the Administration of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu. With more than 38 years of dedicated public service, Hassan Sobir’s lifelong commitment to national development and diplomacy stands as a remarkable testament to his enduring contributions to the nation.