K a l h u o f f u m m i

Muhammad Thakurufaanu Al-Azam (death August 26, 1585) also known as Al-Sultan Ghazi Muhammad Bodu Thakurufaanu ruled over the Maldive Islands (Dhivehhi Rajje) from 1573 to 1585 AD. He is the most celebrated Maldivian hero who saved Maldives from the Portuguese conquerors who ruled over the Maldives from 1558 to 1573 after killing Sultan Ali VI. Muhammad Thakurufaanu was the son of Khatheeb (island chief) Husain of Utheemu in Thiladhummathi Atoll. After the invasion, the Portuguese ruled most cruelly over the Maldive islands. To bring an end to this, Muhammad Thakurufaanu, left the Maldive Islands with his brothers Ali and Hasan to Minicoy Island off the coast of India in the Laccadive Archipelago. The three Utheemu brothers built the greatest Maldivian ship ever crafted, the Kalhuoffummi, and got Dandehelu to captain the ship. They three brothers landed on different islands every night, fought the Portuguese and set sail into the ocean before daybreak. They reached the capital island Malé on the night before the day fixed by the Portuguese garrison of Adiri Adiri for the forcible conversion of the inhabitants to Christianity, on the penalty of death for non-compliance. The Utheemu brothers along with other Maldivians who were determined to die for their country and faith, slew the whole Portuguese garrison and gained independence for the country from its invaders.