Mohamed Zahir Hussain

Chancellor of Islamic University of Maldives since 2019

In this Maldivian name, the surname is Hussain.

Mohamed Zahir Hussain

NIIV

މުޙައްމަދު ޒާހިރު ޙުސައިން

Official portrait, 2019

Chancellor of the Islamic University of Maldives

Incumbent

Assumed office
20 August 2019
President| Mohamed Muizzu
Ibrahim Mohamed Solih
Minister of Education
In office
23 July 1979 – 23 April 1990
President| Maumoon Abdul Gayoom
Personal details
Born| Henveiru, Malé, Maldives
Spouse| Naalia Ibrahim Kaleyfaan
Children| 3
Alma mater| Al-Azhar University
Awards| Awards

Mohamed Zahir Hussain, NIIV (Dhivehi: މުޙައްމަދު ޒާހިރު ޙުސައިން) is a Maldivian politician and former teacher who is currently the chancellor of the Islamic University of Maldives.[1]

## Education

[edit]

Zahir studied at Al-Azhar University in 1971, and in 2001, received a PhD in Malaysia in 2001.[2]

## Career

[edit]

After coming back to Maldives from studying at Al-Azhar Univesity, Zahir became an Islam teacher at Aminiya School.[2] Later, president Ibrahim Nasir appointed Zahir as a lawyer in the Ministry of Education. During the presidency of Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, Zahir was appointed as the Minister of Education on 23 July 1979.[2][3] During his time as the Minister of Education, Zahir oversaw the creation of multiple community schools, notables being the Science Education Centre (predecessor to CHSE), as well as the Islamic University of Maldives.[2]

He served as the Chancellor of the Maldives National University as well as many other government positions such as Minister of Education, Minister of Youth and Sports.[4][5][6][7] He resigned as Youth Minister in 2004 but was appointed as a Senior Minister (Special Advisor to the President) in 2006 and served in the Cabinet of President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.[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 20 August 2019, he was appointed as the Islamic University of Maldives, which was made during his time as Education Minister.[11][3]

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.[12]

Zahir receiving the honour by Mohamed Muizzu in 2024

## Awards and recognitions

[edit]

Hussain received the 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 Highest Honour for Service in the Education sector in 2024.[12]

## Family life

[edit]

His wife was Naalia Ibrahim Kaleyfaan, who died in 2021 while receiving treatment in ADK Hospital.[13] He has three children – Leena Zahir Hussain, Vail Zahir Hussain and Lubna Zahir Hussain.[13]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "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.
2. ^ a b c d "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.
3. ^ 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.
4. ^ "Dr Zahir Hussain appointed as Chancellor". Sun. 20 March 2012. Archived from the original on 9 September 2018. Retrieved 16 October 2023.[permanent dead link‍]
5. ^ "A Minister Who Goes To School Thrice A Week". New Straits Times. 2 June 1989. p. 2.
6. ^ "Lankan sportsmen invited to Maldives". Daily News (Sri Lanka). 20 September 2002. Archived from the original on 27 October 2004. Retrieved 16 March 2011.
7. ^ Lubna, Hawwa (20 March 2012). "Haveeru Chairman Dr.Zahir appointed as university chancellor". Minivan News. Retrieved 7 August 2024 - via Minivan News Archive.
8. ^ "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.
9. ^ "About Haveeru Daily". Haveeru Daily. Archived from the original on 22 July 2011. Retrieved 16 March 2011.
10. ^ "President Gayoom confers Order of Izzuddin to eleven senior officials". Maldives News Bulletin. Department of Information. 9 November 2008. Archived from the original on October 16, 2023. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
11. ^ "President appoints Chancellors to Maldives National University and Islamic University of Maldives". The President's Office. 20 August 2019. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
12. ^ 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.
13. ^ 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.

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