Three prominent Maldivians have been awarded the Order of the Distinguished Rule of Izzuddin (ODRI), one of the highest state honours, in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the nation.

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu conferred the honours on former Chief Justice Uz Ahmed Muthasim Adnan, former Minister of Tourism Hassan Sobir, and Jumhooree Party leader Qasim Ibrahim during a special ceremony held to celebrate the Maldives’ 60th Independence Day.

Uz Ahmed Muthasim Adnan

Former Chief Justice Uz Ahmed Muthasim Adnan was recognised for his contributions to the legal and judicial fields, particularly in strengthening the judiciary, advancing legal education, and supporting foreign legal affairs.

He is the first Chief Justice to conclude his tenure with distinction under the current constitutional framework. Known for upholding judicial independence, Uz Muthasim’s leadership was widely regarded as principled and service-oriented.

A graduate of the University of Buckingham with a Bachelor of Laws, he later earned a Master of Philosophy from the University of Glasgow. His public service career began in 1994 as Director of the Legal Section at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Between 2001 and 2005, he served as Dean of the Faculty of Shariah and Law at the Maldives National University.

Appointed to the Supreme Court in 2009, he returned as Chief Justice in December 2019 and served in that role until his retirement earlier this month.

Hassan Sobir

Hassan Sobir was honoured for his contributions to the economic development of the Maldives, particularly in the fisheries and tourism sectors. He has held several senior positions in Government and is recognised for his work in economic policy and foreign relations.

Sobir’s academic background includes a Diploma in Statistics from the United States, a Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce from India, and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of South Wales in Australia.

Qasim Ibrahim

Qasim Ibrahim was awarded the ODRI for his significant contributions to the Maldivian economy, public welfare, and national governance. In addition to his political service, Qasim has been a key figure in providing healthcare support to citizens through the Villa Foundation.

He has held numerous positions in Government and served as Speaker of Parliament from 1 November 2018 to 27 May 2019. Qasim is also widely recognised for his philanthropic work in supporting medical treatment for those in need.