Ministry of Home Affairs holds the official Independence Day festivities at the National Stadium.
The event was attended by President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom and First Lady Fathimath Ibrahim, and the visiting Prime Minister of Pakistan, Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and Begum Kalsoom Nawaz Sharif. The event started off with a presidential salute offered to the President, following which the combined brass band of the Schools and the Maldives National Defence Force played the National Anthem.
The Armed Forces Guard and combined troops of the schools then marched past the Presidential Stand. Next, some local artists performed a welcome song for the Pakistani Prime Minister. The schools which participated in the activities included Maafannu Madhrasa, Kalaafaanu School, Aminiya School, Hiriyaa School, Ahmadiyyaa International School, and Thaajuddin School.
The Maldives National Defence Force also performed at the Independence Day event.