Flag hoisting ceremonies were held across the Maldives on Saturday morning to mark the country’s 60th Independence Day.

In Malé, the national flag was raised at Republic Square at 6:00 a.m., in a ceremony attended by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu and First Lady Sajidha Mohamed, and Vice President Uz Hussain Mohamed Latheef. Ministers, members of Parliament, long-serving state employees, and school students also participated in the event.

Following the hoisting of the flag, a special prayer was offered, after which President Dr Muizzu greeted guests and extended Independence Day wishes.

Across the islands, ceremonies took place at the main Government office on each island. Maldivian diplomatic missions abroad also held flag hoisting ceremonies to commemorate the occasion.

The ceremony marks the official start of this year’s Independence Day celebrations. A children’s evening is scheduled to take place in Republic Square, while the new terminal at Velana International Airport will be officially inaugurated as part of the occasion. Fireworks displays in 19 locations across the country will celebrate the terminal’s opening.