Maldives National Day (also known as Qaumee (national) Dhuvas (day) in Dhivehi), is an important day, as it is observed to celebrate the victory of Mohamed Thakurufaanu over the Portuguese occupation in the year 1573. According to the Islamic calendar, the National Day of Maldives falls on the 1st of Rabi' al-Awwal, the third month of Hijri (Islamic) calendar.[1]
In the year 1558, Portuguese colonial power invaded the Maldives and established its colonial rule. A rebellion was launched when the colonial power attempted to forcefully impose Christianity on the Maldives with the threat of death.[2] This was described as:
A time when intolerable enormities were committed by the invading infidels, a time when the sea grew red with Maldivian blood, a time when people were sunk in despair[3]
It was later in 1573; Muhammad Thakurufaanu arrived the capital Malé along with his companions and succeeded in ending the fifteen-year colonial rule of the Portuguese. Since then, 1st of Rabee ul Awwal each Islamic year is marked as a National Day of the Republic of Maldives.[1] Celebrations of the day include parades, color festivals and route marches on the streets of Malé, and in islands.[1]
