Every year, on the 1st of Rabi’ al-Awwal, the Maldives celebrates National Day, a vibrant commemoration of the nation’s liberation from Portuguese colonial rule after 15 years and six months of oppression. Known as Qaumee Dhuvas, this public holiday honors the courage and resilience of Maldivian heroes who reclaimed their independence on July 2, 1573. As the nation gathers today, August 24, 2025, the streets of Malé come alive with parades, cultural performances, and storytelling, reminding Maldivians of their storied past and enduring spirit.

The Portuguese Invasion: A Dark Chapter Begins

In the 16th century, the Portuguese, renowned as the “Masters of the Sea,” sought to dominate global trade routes and spread Christianity across Asia. The Maldives, strategically located along key maritime pathways, became a prime target. After failing to seize the islands in two or three earlier attempts, the Portuguese launched a decisive campaign in 1558, exploiting internal divisions to establish control.

This conquest was enabled by betrayal from within. Sultan Hassan IX, driven by personal ambition, colluded with the Portuguese to assassinate King Ali VI on May 19, 1558. With the king dead, the Portuguese captain Manuel de Sousa Coutinho, known to Maldivians as Andiri Andirin, assumed power with the aid of traitors who prioritized personal gain over national loyalty. This period, often described as the “darkest time in Maldivian history,” saw the Portuguese unleash brutal oppression. They plundered property, committed atrocities against women, and sought to eradicate Islam, forcing conversions under threat of death. The seas, as oral traditions recount, turned red with the blood of Muslim defenders. For 15 years and six months, the Maldivian people endured this tyranny.

The Rise of a Hero: Muhammad Thakurufaanu’s Jihad

As Portuguese cruelty peaked and the Maldives faced the loss of its religious identity, a beacon of hope emerged from the northern atoll of Utheemu. Sultan Ghazi Muhammad Thakurufaanu Al-Auzam, affectionately known as Boduthakurufaanu, alongside his brothers Ali and Hassan Thakurufaanu, led a resistance that embodied both national pride and religious devotion.

Born during the reign of King Kalhu Muhammad, Muhammad Thakurufaanu was the eldest son of Kalu Ali Khatib Thakurufaanu of Haa Alif Utheemu. His childhood was marked by sharp intellect and skill, evident in his pastime of trapping birds with clever snares at Utheemu Thundi. His father provided a rigorous religious education, while Bedhaali Bodhu Edhuru Kaleyge trained him in the arts of warfare and combat.

The resistance began with a strategic deception. In Haa Alif Baarah, where the Portuguese had installed a loyal proxy named Viyazoru, Thakurufaanu gained his trust to secure resources for building the Kalhuohfunmmi, a swift vessel designed for guerrilla warfare. During a journey to Malé, he killed Viyazoru, sparking what Maldivians call a “noble jihad.” Joined by his brothers and loyal companions—Ali Haji, Hassan Haji, and Duvafaru Dandahelu—the Utheemu warriors conducted daring nighttime raids. They struck Portuguese outposts on remote islands, eliminated soldiers, reinforced the Islamic faith among locals, and retreated before dawn.

The campaign was not without sacrifice. During a raid on Haa Alif Thakandhoo, Ali Thakurufaanu was killed, a devastating blow to the resistance. Yet, the brothers’ resolve remained unshaken. With symbolic support from allies like Kanna Noor Ali Raja, Muhammad Thakurufaanu planned a final assault on Malé. On the eve of the 1st of Rabi’ al-Awwal, 981 Hijri (July 2, 1573), as Andiri Andirin enforced a decree demanding conversion to Christianity or death, Thakurufaanu infiltrated the fortified capital. Invoking divine guidance, he fired a single shot, killing the Portuguese commander and ending their reign of terror.

A Nation Reborn: The Legacy of Liberation

With the Portuguese defeated, Muhammad Thakurufaanu ascended as sultan, ruling justly for 12 years until his death in 1585. His leadership restored peace and preserved the Maldives’ Islamic identity, cementing his status as a national hero. His tomb in Malé remains a site of reverence, and his story is a cornerstone of Maldivian education and folklore.

Today, National Day is a vibrant celebration of this triumph. In Malé’s Republic Square, military parades and cultural performances reenact the heroics of the Utheemu brothers. Schools host storytelling sessions, passing down tales of courage to younger generations, while resorts showcase Maldivian heritage to global visitors through traditional music and dance. The festivities, however, carry a deeper message: unity and faith can overcome even the greatest odds.

A Call to the Future

As the Maldives faces modern challenges—climate change, global influences, and geopolitical pressures—National Day serves as a reminder of the resilience embodied by Muhammad Thakurufaanu. Elders warn that betrayal invites calamity, but heroes like Boduthakurufaanu repel it. For today’s youth, his legacy is a call to defend their nation’s freedom and Islamic heritage with the same fervor that once liberated the atolls.

On August 24, 2025, as fireworks light up the night sky and boduberu drums echo across the islands, the Maldives honors not just a historical victory but a timeless truth: even the smallest nation can defy empires when united by faith and courage. National Day is more than a celebration—it’s a pledge to keep the spirit of Boduthakurufaanu alive in every Maldivian heart.