Mohamed Zahir Hussain
Mohamed Zahir Hussain | |
|---|---|
މުޙައްމަދު ޒާހިރު ޙުސައިން | |
Official portrait, 2019. | |
| Chancellor of the Islamic University of Maldives | |
| Assumed office 20 August 2019 | |
| President | Ibrahim Mohamed Solih Mohamed Muizzu |
| Chancellor of the Maldives National University | |
| In office 20 March 2012 – 20 August 2019 | |
| President | Mohamed Waheed Hassan Abdulla Yameen Ibrahim Mohamed Solih |
| Succeeded by | Hassan Hameed |
| Minister of Education | |
| In office 23 July 1979 – 30 May 1990 | |
| President | Maumoon Abdul Gayoom |
| Preceded by | Abdul Sattar Moosa Didi |
| Succeeded by | Abdulla Hameed |
| Personal details | |
| Born | |
| Spouse |
Naalia Ibrahim Kaleyfaan
(died) |
| Children | 3, incliding Lubna |
| Alma mater | Al-Azhar University National University of Malaysia (PhD) |
| Awards | List |
Mohamed Zahir Hussain NIIV (Dhivehi: މުޙައްމަދު ޒާހިރު ޙުސައިން) is a Maldivian politician, journalist, and former teacher who is currently the chancellor of the Islamic University of Maldives.[1]
Education
Hussain studied at Al-Azhar University in 1971.[2] He completed his PhD in the National University of Malaysia.[3]
Career
After coming back to Maldives from studying at Al-Azhar University, Husain became an Islam teacher at Aminiya School.[2] Later, president Ibrahim Nasir appointed Hussain as a lawyer in the Ministry of Education. During the Gayoom administration, he was appointed as the Minister of Education on 23 July 1979.[2][4] During his time as the Minister of Education, Hussain oversaw the creation of multiple community schools, notables being the Science Education Centre (predecessor to CHSE).[2]
He also oversaw the rise in the literature rate in the country and led the establishment of a modern curriculum in Maldivian schools.[2] He also focused on teacher education which helped finding teachers across the atolls. Hussain also wanted to spread Arabic knowledge across the country which led to the creation of the Madhrasathul Dhiraasathul Islamiyya, now the Islamic University of Maldives.[2]
He served other ministerial positions in the government such as Minister of Education, Minister of Youth and Sports and Minister at the President's Office.[5][6][7] During his time as Youth and Sports minister, he led efforts to expand and develop sports in the country.[2] He resigned as Youth Minister but was later appointed as a Senior Minister (Special Advisor to the President) in 2006.[8] He is also the chairman of the now-defunct Haveeru Daily.[9]
In 2008, he was awarded the Order of the Distinguished Rule of Izzuddin by Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.[10]
In 2012, Hussain was appointed by president Mohamed Waheed Hassan as the chancellor of the Maldives National University.[11]
In 20 August 2019, he was appointed as the Islamic University of Maldives by president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.[12][4]
In November 2024, he was awarded the Highest Honour of Service to the Education sector by president Mohamed Muizzu for his services in the education sector.[13]
Awards and recognitions
Hussain received the Maldivian government's special award for completing his PhD in 2001, National Award of Recognition in 1989, Minivan 25 National Award in 1990, the Alimas Galan journalism award, President's Award for Special Achievement in 2001, Order of Izzuddin in 2008, and the Highest Honour for Service in the Education sector in 2024.[3][13]
Hussain had been hailed as the 'father of journalism in Maldives' through the creation of his newspaper Haveeru Daily. During Haveeru Daily's timespan, it served as the most popular print and news outlet in the country and believed to be the golden age of journalism in the Maldives.[2]
Family life
His wife was Naalia Ibrahim Kaleyfaan, who died in 2021 while receiving treatment in ADK Hospital.[14] He has three children – Leena Zahir Hussain, Vail Zahir Hussain and Lubna Mohamed Zahir Hussain.[14]
References
- ^ "President appoints Chancellors to Maldives National University and Islamic University of Maldives". The President's Office. 20 August 2019. Archived from the original on 16 October 2023. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Dr Zahir presented the Order of the Distinguished Rule of Izzuddin for contributions to education sector". The Edition. 10 November 2024. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
- ^ a b "ސަރުކާރުން ދެއްވާ ޚާއްޞަ އިނާމު - ޑޮކްޓަރ މުޙައްމަދު ޒާހިރު ޙުސައިން" [Government's Special Award - Doctor Mohamed Zahir Hussain]. The President's Office (in Divehi). Retrieved 9 October 2025.
- ^ a b "ދިވެހިރާއްޖޭގެ ތަޢުލީމަށް ޚިދުމަތްކުރުމުގެ އެންމެ މަތިވެރި ޝަރަފު – 2024 – ޑޮކްޓަރ މުޙައްމަދު ޒާހިރު ޙުސައިން" [Highest honor to service for Education – 2024 – Doctor Mohamed Zahir Hussain]. The President's Office (in Divehi). Retrieved 14 November 2024.
- ^ "A Minister Who Goes To School Thrice A Week". New Straits Times. 2 June 1989. p. 2.
- ^ "Lankan sportsmen invited to Maldives". Daily News (Sri Lanka). 20 September 2002. Archived from the original on 27 October 2004. Retrieved 16 March 2011.
- ^ Lubna, Hawwa (20 March 2012). "Haveeru Chairman Dr.Zahir appointed as university chancellor". Minivan News. Retrieved 7 August 2024 – via Minivan News Archive.
- ^ "The President appoints three Senior Ministers and four Ministers". Maldives News Bulletin. Department of Information. 17 April 2004. Archived from the original on 16 October 2023. Retrieved 16 March 2011.
- ^ "About Haveeru Daily". Haveeru Daily. Archived from the original on 22 July 2011. Retrieved 16 March 2011.
- ^ "President Gayoom confers Order of Izzuddin to eleven senior officials". Maldives News Bulletin. Department of Information. 9 November 2008. Archived from the original on 16 October 2023. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
- ^ "Dr Zahir Hussain appointed as Chancellor". Sun. 20 March 2012. Archived from the original on 9 September 2018. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
- ^ "President appoints Chancellors to Maldives National University and Islamic University of Maldives". The President's Office. 20 August 2019. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
- ^ a b "President Confers the Highest Honour for Service to Maldives Education on Dr Mohamed Zahir ODRI". The President's Office. 10 November 2024. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
- ^ a b Zalif, Zunana (17 April 2021). "Spouse of Dr. Zahir Hussain, Naaila Ibrahim Kaleyfaan passes away". Raajje TV. Archived from the original on 16 October 2023. Retrieved 16 October 2023.