National Day, also known as Qaumee Dhuvas in the Indo-Aryan language of Dhivehi, is a public holiday in the Maldives. It is observed on the first of Rabi' al-awwal, which is the third month of the Islamic calendar.
National Day celebrates the victory of Muhammad Thakurufaanu over the Portuguese occupation of the Maldives in 1573.
The Maldives had cultural and economic ties with its nearest neighbors, Sri Lanka and India, for centuries before the arrival of the Europeans. In the 16th century, Maldives attracted Portuguese interest. As a result, Portuguese colonial power attacked the Maldives in 1558 and killed the Sultan of Maldives, Ali IV.
The Portuguese established its cruel colonial rule after the invasion. In 1573, Muhammad Thakurufaanu and his companions reached the capital island, Male. They successfully ended the Portuguese rule in the Maldives and gained the country's independence.
The following is the list of National Day in the Maldives from 2022 to 2026.
| Holiday | Date | Weekday |
|---|---|---|
| National Day | Sep 27, 2022 | Tuesday |
| National Day | Sep 16, 2023 | Saturday |
| National Day | Sep 04, 2024 | Wednesday |
| National Day | Aug 24, 2025 | Sunday |
| National Day | Aug 14, 2026 | Friday |
Please check more public holidays in the Maldives: