5 September 2024 has been declared a government holiday.

In a directive publicized on Sunday, the President’s Office revealed that President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu declared Thursday of the upcoming week a government holiday.

The decision was reached in a bid to mark this year’s National Day.

The president had declared August 13 a government holiday as well, following the spell of bad weather Maldives experienced for a week. During that period the capital region experienced intense flooding due to torrential rain showers and thunderstorms.

The National Day, celebrated annually on the first of Rabi' al-Awwal, serves as a solemn reminder of the valiant efforts of national hero al-Sultan al-Ghaazee Muhammad Thakurufaanu al-A'uzam in liberating the Maldives from Portuguese dominion. The day is a tribute to the resilience and sacrifice that underpin the nation's independence.