President confers highest national honour on 4 recipients

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu on Sunday conferred the Order of the Distinguished Rule of Izzuddeen on four individuals in recognition of their contributions to the Maldives.

The honours were presented during the official Independence Day ceremony.

The recipients were Dr Mohamed Latheef for his contribution to education, Ibrahim Rasheed Moosa for his contribution to religious education and public awareness, Champa Hussain Afeef for his contribution to the tourism industry, and Champa Mohamed Moosa for his contribution to tourism and business.

Dr Latheef has worked in the education sector for more than four decades and previously served as Minister of Education.

During his career, he played a role in establishing the Educational Development Centre, which was tasked with developing the national curriculum and teacher training. He also contributed to the establishment of the Teacher Education Centre and the Maldives Centre for Management and Administration.

He was involved in preparing the Maldives' First and Second Education Master Plans and led efforts to establish the Maldives College of Higher Education, now the Maldives National University (MNU).

Dr Latheef also served as a member and later President of the Civil Service Commission before becoming Chancellor of MNU.

After graduating from Al-Azhar University in Egypt, Ibrahim Rasheed Moosa returned to the Maldives and began his career as a mathematics teacher at Majeedhiyya School.

He later played a role in establishing the Institute of Islamic Studies and served as its head. He also contributed to the expansion of Arabic-medium education from primary to higher secondary levels.

His work includes translating 11 religious books and authoring more than 50 publications on religious subjects.

He also presented the 365-episode radio programme Quran Kiyavan Dhaskuramaathoa and the series Quran and Science, and translated the television series Muhammad Rasulullah into Dhivehi for Television Maldives.

Most recently, he served as President of the Centre for the Holy Quran.

Champa Hussain Afeef was recognised for his contribution to the development of the tourism industry.

He was involved in the establishment of Kurumba Village, the country's first tourist resort, and later co-founded the Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI), where he currently serves as Chairman.

He is also a co-owner and shareholder of Crown & Champa Resorts.

His previous national honours include the National Award of Encouragement, the National Award of Honour, the Most Distinguished State Service Award and the Order of the Distinguished Rule of Muleege.

Champa Mohamed Moosa was recognised for his contribution to tourism, business and national development.

After studying in India, he returned to the Maldives and entered business through agricultural ventures before establishing Champa Wholesale to supply food and beverage products.

He later established DhiFM and DhiTV and supported education through the Alifulhu Thuttu Foundation.

His business interests have included the development of Addu International Airport and Madivaru Domestic Airport, as well as the establishment of the Maldives Finance and Leasing Company and the Commercial Bank of Maldives.

He has previously received the Order of the Distinguished Rule of Muleege, the Tourism Gold Award and the South Asian Travel Awards' Face of South Asia Tourism Award.