Muthasim, Sobir and Qasim conferred Order the Distinguished Rule of Izzuddin

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, on Sunday, has conferred Order of the Distinguished Rule of Izzuddin – one of the highest-level state honors – to former chief justice Muthasim Adnan, former tourism minister Hassan Sobir and Jumhoory Party (JP)’s leader Qasim Ibrahim.

The three of them were presented the Order of the Distinguished Rule of Izzuddin during the official reception held on Sunday morning to commemorate Maldives’ Independence Day.

Former chief justice Muthasim Adnan, M. Gulfam, Male’

Muthasim was honored with the Order of the Distinguished Rule of Izzuddin for his crucial services for the development of the legal field.

Muthasim, the longest-serving chief justice in the Maldives, was first nominated to the newly formed Supreme Court as one of the first justice in 2010 by then-president Mohamed Nasheed. He served as a Justice of the Supreme Court till the end of 2014. In 2019, Muthasim returned to the Supreme Court after being appointed chief justice by then-president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

He served at the Supreme Court on-and-off for nine years and seven months.

Muthasim filed for retirement back in May. Judicial Service Commission (JSC) formalized his retirement on July 20^th.

Muthasim has also provided notable services in the field of foreign service.

Muthasim received an LL.B. from the University of Buckingham, England, in 1992 and an M.Phil. from the University of Glasgow, Scotland, in 1994.

Hassan Sobir, G. Fiyaathoshige, Male’

Sobir was honored with the Order of the Distinguished Rule of Izzuddin for his services to the state in the field of tourism and economy.

Sobir, who had served as the fisheries minister and tourism minister during former president Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom’s administration, has also filled various posts in the field of foreign service. In this regard, he has held the post of Permanent Representative of the Maldives to the United Nations, Representative of the Maldives to the European Union, High Commissioner of the Maldives to the UK and High Commissioner of the Maldives to Singapore.

He completed a diploma in statistics in the United States, a bachelor's degree in commerce in India, and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of South Wales in Australia.

Qasim Ibrahim, M. Maafannu Villa, Male’

Qasim has filled various government posts over the course of decades. After completing his education in 1969, he joined government services as a clerk at a government hospital in Male’. Upon completing a professional course in accounting in 1972, he was promoted to an accountant.

Qasim left his government job in 1973 to pursue his own business.

He returned to government service as the finance minister on August 18, 2005 – a post he held until his resignation on July 10, 2008.

Qasim has also served as the speaker of the parliament from November 1, 2018, to May 27, 2019. He also served as the speaker of the People's Special Majlis that wrote the current constitution to introduce democracy to the Maldives.

Qasim formed his party, Jumhoory Party, on August 7, 2008, short after resignation as finance minister. He was elected the party’s leader during the party’s first congress – a position he continues to hold. Qasim contested 2008, 2013 and 2023’s presidential elections on the party’s ticket. Most administrations that came to power since 2008 were endorsed by Qasim following his election defeats.