Ibrahim Nasir
Encyclopedia
Ibrahim Nasir Rannabandeyri Kilegefan , KCMG, NGIV (Nishan Ghaazeege 'Izzatheri Veriya) (Insignia of the Most Distinguished Order of Ghazi) (September 2, 1926 – November 22, 2008) was a Maldivian
politician who served as Prime Minister of the Maldives under Sultan
Muhammad Fareed Didi
from 1957 to 1968 and succeeded him to become the first President
of the Second Republic from 1968 to 1978.
and Dhiyamigili
royal dynasties of the Maldives. Nasir's mother, Aishath Didi, was the daughter of Moosa Didi, son of Dhadimagu Ganduvaru Maryam Didi, daughter of Husain Didi, son of Al-Nabeel Karayye Hassan Didi, son of Prince Ibrahim Faamuladheyri Kilegefan, son of Sultan Muhammed Ghiya'as ud-din, son of Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar II, son of Sultan Muhammad Imaduddin II of the Dhiyamigili dynasty
.
Nasir married three times and had five children. His first wife was Aisha Zubair (Tuttudon Goma), whom he married in 1950. They had a son named Ahmed Nasir. In 1953 he married Mariyam Saeeda Didi with whom he had two sons, Ali Nasir and Mohamed Nasir. In 1969 Nasir married Naseema Mohamed Kaleyfan, with whom he had a son and daughter, Ismail Nasir and Aishath Nasir, respectively.
in Malé
, which later became Majeediyya School
in 1969. After studying in Malé
he also spent time studying in Sri Lanka.
under the rule of Muhammad Fareed Didi
from 12 December 1957 until the former was sworn in as the first President of the Second Republic of Maldives.
even with the opposition of some nations that felt awkward at including a nation of such a small size. He laid the foundations of the nation by modernising the fisheries industry with mechanized vessels and starting the tourism industry. Even today the nation is dependent on these two industries as a primary source of income
and the main driver of the economy.
He was credited with many other improvements such as introducing an English-based modern curriculum
to government-run schools. He brought television and radio to the country with formation of Television Maldives
and Radio Maldives for broadcasting radio signals nationwide. He abolished Vaaru, a tax on the people living on islands outside Malé
, as well as many other taxes on various imports to the country, some of which have been since re-instated. When Nasir relinquished power Maldives was debt-free to the international community, and corruption was effectively under control. Under his watch, the national shipping line with more than 40 ships that were plying the oceans of the world remained a source of national pride for Maldivians. It was a remarkable success story among the maritime nations of South Asia.
Nasir is considered as the independence hero of the Maldives. He brought about the independence of the Maldives from being a protectorate
of the British Empire
. He directed the building of the first international airport in the Maldives (Malé International Airport
).
, Addu and Huvadu Atolls, who formed a breakaway government – United Suvadives Republic – with closer ties to the British, for a brief period of time.
He initiated use of the Latin alphabet. This has been criticized by former president Gayoom's supporters, claiming that it affected the Maldivian alphabet, Thaana. However, today it is widely accepted that Nasir did this to make Maldivians aware of the telegraph and to make them aware of the alphabet which was of later benefit to Maldivians. Today it is the Latin alphabet which is used widely in mobile phones and e-mails in Maldives. Almost all Maldivians are now able to read this alphabet.
Nasir was widely criticized during Gayoom's regime. Especially during the first days of Gayoom's Presidency. There were massive rallies in almost all the big islands of Maldives with indecent cartoons of Nasir organized by Gayoom's government. There were cartoons of Nasir on the roads and on newspapers too. Insulting anti-Nasir songs were recorded and distributed by the government. These songs were even played on national radio. Offensive words were used for Nasir in these songs. These songs and cartoons were used in the rallies.
It is said until Nasir left Malé Gayoom praised Nasir and talked in favour of him (As in his first speech after being sworn in as president). But after Nasir left Malé everything changed. After he left Malé, mass demonstrations were held against him, labeling him traitor, calling for his death. He was tried in absentia and sentenced. 16 May 1980 was the day Gayoom himself led a massive demonstration against Nasir and his 'crowd' in which Gayoom spoke to a crowd of between 15,000 and 20,000 (the population of Malé was then about 35,000) in which he discussed his views about how Nasir came to power, how he had been one of the leaders in the overthrow of first president Mohamed Ameen in 1953 and how he had allegedly mishandled government money. However, the allegations against Nasir were never proven. Later Gayoom pardoned him in July 1990, but never granted permission for him to return to Maldives. This point turned out to be proven according to an interview given by Kuvaa Mohamed Maniku, a close associate of Nasir to TVM on 23 November 2008. Maniku said he met President Nasir at Bangkok Airport in 1990 after Nasir had been pardoned by the Government and Nasir had told Maniku he had sent a letter to President Gayoom requesting permission to return to Maldives and to live anywhere in the country approved by President Gayoom. According to Maniku, late President Nasir had told him, that he had not received a reply from Gayoom.
who was then Minister of Transport and former permanent representative of the Maldives to the United States. The former president went into exile in Singapore
on 7 December 1978 after resigning from his post. In 1981, Gayoom sentenced him to jail in absentia
for alleged corruption charges and plotting a coup d'état; none of the allegations were proven and Nasir was pardoned.
in Singapore. Though the cause of death is unknown, he had kidney problems, which plagued him in the time before his death. Nasir's body was flown to the Maldives, where his body was displayed in Theemuge
, the presidential palace in Malé
, on November 23. The day was declared a national holiday in the Maldives, and tens of thousands of Maldivians flocked to see Nasir's body. At the presidential palace, current President
Mohamed Nasheed
were among those who paid their respects to Nasir. His funeral prayer was led by Dr. 'Abdul Majeed 'Abdul-Bari after the Fajr
(dawn) prayers on Monday, 24 November 2008. After the funeral prayers, Nasir was laid to rest at dawn at the cemetery attached to the Friday Mosque (Hukuru Miskkiy). Nasir was survived by three children, Ahmed Nasir, Ismail Nasir and Aishath Nasir. His other two sons, Ali Nasir and Muhamed Nasir, had predeceased their father by several years.
Maldives
The Maldives , , officially Republic of Maldives , also referred to as the Maldive Islands, is an island nation in the Indian Ocean formed by a double chain of twenty-six atolls oriented north-south off India's Lakshadweep islands, between Minicoy Island and...
politician who served as Prime Minister of the Maldives under Sultan
Sultan
Sultan is a title with several historical meanings. Originally, it was an Arabic language abstract noun meaning "strength", "authority", "rulership", and "dictatorship", derived from the masdar سلطة , meaning "authority" or "power". Later, it came to be used as the title of certain rulers who...
Muhammad Fareed Didi
Muhammad Fareed Didi
King Muhammad Fareed Didi , the son of the Sultan Prince Abdul Majeed Didi . Muhammed Fareed Didi was the last Sultan of Maldives and the first Maldivian Monarch to assume the title of "King" with the style of "Your Majesty". He was the Sultan of Maldives from March 7, 1954 until November 11, 1968...
from 1957 to 1968 and succeeded him to become the first President
President of the Maldives
The President of the Maldives is the Head of State and Head of Government and first citizen of the Republic of Maldives and the Supreme Commander of the Maldivian armed forces.The current President of the Republic of Maldives is Mohamed Nasheed....
of the Second Republic from 1968 to 1978.
Early life
Ibrahim Nasir was born to Ahmad Didi of the famous Velaanaage family and Nayaage Aishath Didi. Nasir is descended from the famous HuraaHuraa dynasty
The Huraa Dynasty was the sixth royal dynasty to rule over the Maldives. It was founded in 1757 by Sultan al-Ghazi Hasan 'Izz ud-din.-Rulers:List of Huraa Sultans:* Sultan al-Ghazi Hasan 'Izz ud-din...
and Dhiyamigili
Dhiyamigili dynasty
The Dhiyamigili dynasty was the fifth royal dynasty to rule over the Maldives. It comprised four sultans:* Sultan Muzaffar Muhammad Imaduddin II * Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar II * Sultan Mukarram Muhammad Imaduddin III...
royal dynasties of the Maldives. Nasir's mother, Aishath Didi, was the daughter of Moosa Didi, son of Dhadimagu Ganduvaru Maryam Didi, daughter of Husain Didi, son of Al-Nabeel Karayye Hassan Didi, son of Prince Ibrahim Faamuladheyri Kilegefan, son of Sultan Muhammed Ghiya'as ud-din, son of Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar II, son of Sultan Muhammad Imaduddin II of the Dhiyamigili dynasty
Dhiyamigili dynasty
The Dhiyamigili dynasty was the fifth royal dynasty to rule over the Maldives. It comprised four sultans:* Sultan Muzaffar Muhammad Imaduddin II * Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar II * Sultan Mukarram Muhammad Imaduddin III...
.
Nasir married three times and had five children. His first wife was Aisha Zubair (Tuttudon Goma), whom he married in 1950. They had a son named Ahmed Nasir. In 1953 he married Mariyam Saeeda Didi with whom he had two sons, Ali Nasir and Mohamed Nasir. In 1969 Nasir married Naseema Mohamed Kaleyfan, with whom he had a son and daughter, Ismail Nasir and Aishath Nasir, respectively.
Education
Ibrahim Nasir studied at the then Madharasatu SaniyyaMajeediyya School
Majeediyya School is the first Maldivian government school, located in Malé, Maldives. It is a single gender school that teaches male students to the secondary level of education. English medium is followed in teaching with the exception of Dhivehi and Islam...
in Malé
Malé
Malé , is the capital and most populous city in the Republic of Maldives. It is located at the southern edge of North Malé Atoll . It is also one of the Administrative divisions of the Maldives. Traditionally it was the King's Island, from where the ancient Maldive Royal dynasties ruled and where...
, which later became Majeediyya School
Majeediyya School
Majeediyya School is the first Maldivian government school, located in Malé, Maldives. It is a single gender school that teaches male students to the secondary level of education. English medium is followed in teaching with the exception of Dhivehi and Islam...
in 1969. After studying in Malé
Malé
Malé , is the capital and most populous city in the Republic of Maldives. It is located at the southern edge of North Malé Atoll . It is also one of the Administrative divisions of the Maldives. Traditionally it was the King's Island, from where the ancient Maldive Royal dynasties ruled and where...
he also spent time studying in Sri Lanka.
Premiership
Ibrahim Nasir served as the Prime MinisterPrime minister
A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...
under the rule of Muhammad Fareed Didi
Muhammad Fareed Didi
King Muhammad Fareed Didi , the son of the Sultan Prince Abdul Majeed Didi . Muhammed Fareed Didi was the last Sultan of Maldives and the first Maldivian Monarch to assume the title of "King" with the style of "Your Majesty". He was the Sultan of Maldives from March 7, 1954 until November 11, 1968...
from 12 December 1957 until the former was sworn in as the first President of the Second Republic of Maldives.
Presidency
Ibrahim Nasir was sworn in as the second President of the Republic of Maldives on 11 November 1968. He is widely credited with modernising the long-isolated and nearly unknown Maldives and opening them up to the rest of the world. His foremost achievements included that of bringing the Maldives to the United NationsUnited Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
even with the opposition of some nations that felt awkward at including a nation of such a small size. He laid the foundations of the nation by modernising the fisheries industry with mechanized vessels and starting the tourism industry. Even today the nation is dependent on these two industries as a primary source of income
Income
Income is the consumption and savings opportunity gained by an entity within a specified time frame, which is generally expressed in monetary terms. However, for households and individuals, "income is the sum of all the wages, salaries, profits, interests payments, rents and other forms of earnings...
and the main driver of the economy.
He was credited with many other improvements such as introducing an English-based modern curriculum
Curriculum
See also Syllabus.In formal education, a curriculum is the set of courses, and their content, offered at a school or university. As an idea, curriculum stems from the Latin word for race course, referring to the course of deeds and experiences through which children grow to become mature adults...
to government-run schools. He brought television and radio to the country with formation of Television Maldives
Television Maldives
Maldives National Broadcasting Company One is the state-owned TV channel of the Maldives. It was formed on March 29, 1978 as Television Maldives ....
and Radio Maldives for broadcasting radio signals nationwide. He abolished Vaaru, a tax on the people living on islands outside Malé
Malé
Malé , is the capital and most populous city in the Republic of Maldives. It is located at the southern edge of North Malé Atoll . It is also one of the Administrative divisions of the Maldives. Traditionally it was the King's Island, from where the ancient Maldive Royal dynasties ruled and where...
, as well as many other taxes on various imports to the country, some of which have been since re-instated. When Nasir relinquished power Maldives was debt-free to the international community, and corruption was effectively under control. Under his watch, the national shipping line with more than 40 ships that were plying the oceans of the world remained a source of national pride for Maldivians. It was a remarkable success story among the maritime nations of South Asia.
Nasir is considered as the independence hero of the Maldives. He brought about the independence of the Maldives from being a protectorate
Protectorate
In history, the term protectorate has two different meanings. In its earliest inception, which has been adopted by modern international law, it is an autonomous territory that is protected diplomatically or militarily against third parties by a stronger state or entity...
of the British Empire
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
. He directed the building of the first international airport in the Maldives (Malé International Airport
Malé International Airport
Ibrahim Nasir International Airport , more commonly known as Malé International Airport, previously known as Hulhulé Airport, is the main international airport in the Maldives...
).
Some notable achievements
- Starting English medium education (March 1961)
- Starting A level education (1976)
- Initiating the Atoll Education Center project and opening the first center (Eydhafushi, 1977)
- Women permitted to vote in Maldives. (1964)
- Starting nurses training (1963)
- Opening health centers in all atolls (starting with Naifaru, 1965)
- Opening the first modern hospital (October 1967)
- Building the first airport (April 1966)
- Starting tourism (March 1972)
- First Motorised fishing boat built. (In Hulhule' boatyard, July 1964)
- Modernising the fisheries industry with mechanised vessels. ( Engines became available for private fishing vessels ) (1974)
- Felivaru fish canning factory opened. (February 1978)
- Incorporating the Maldives Shipping Limited (MSL). (1967)
- State Trading Organisation, STO established. (Former MGBS) (1976)
- Borah traders banned from doing business in Maldives. ( This is widely considered as the economic independence to Maldivians ) (August 1962)
- Establishing the first radio station (1962)
- Establishing the first TV station (March 1978)
- Abolishing "vaaru", a tax on the people living on islands outside Malé. (December 1958)
- Abolishing duty on all personal and commercial imports. (Some of them have been reimposed after Nasir's departure.)
- Abolishing many of the old draconian measures and making travel free for Maldivians. Prior to that, Maldivians travelling overseas had to obtain exit visas. (1958)
Criticism
Nasir was criticized for his authoritarian methods against opponents. Most notably he was criticized for his iron-fisted methods in handling an insurrection by the people of ThinadhooThinadhoo (Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll)
Thinadhoo is the capital of Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll and the proposed capital for the Mathi-Dhekunu Province of the Maldives. It has its own dialect of Dhivehi which is considerably different from northern and mid-Maldivian speech...
, Addu and Huvadu Atolls, who formed a breakaway government – United Suvadives Republic – with closer ties to the British, for a brief period of time.
He initiated use of the Latin alphabet. This has been criticized by former president Gayoom's supporters, claiming that it affected the Maldivian alphabet, Thaana. However, today it is widely accepted that Nasir did this to make Maldivians aware of the telegraph and to make them aware of the alphabet which was of later benefit to Maldivians. Today it is the Latin alphabet which is used widely in mobile phones and e-mails in Maldives. Almost all Maldivians are now able to read this alphabet.
Nasir was widely criticized during Gayoom's regime. Especially during the first days of Gayoom's Presidency. There were massive rallies in almost all the big islands of Maldives with indecent cartoons of Nasir organized by Gayoom's government. There were cartoons of Nasir on the roads and on newspapers too. Insulting anti-Nasir songs were recorded and distributed by the government. These songs were even played on national radio. Offensive words were used for Nasir in these songs. These songs and cartoons were used in the rallies.
It is said until Nasir left Malé Gayoom praised Nasir and talked in favour of him (As in his first speech after being sworn in as president). But after Nasir left Malé everything changed. After he left Malé, mass demonstrations were held against him, labeling him traitor, calling for his death. He was tried in absentia and sentenced. 16 May 1980 was the day Gayoom himself led a massive demonstration against Nasir and his 'crowd' in which Gayoom spoke to a crowd of between 15,000 and 20,000 (the population of Malé was then about 35,000) in which he discussed his views about how Nasir came to power, how he had been one of the leaders in the overthrow of first president Mohamed Ameen in 1953 and how he had allegedly mishandled government money. However, the allegations against Nasir were never proven. Later Gayoom pardoned him in July 1990, but never granted permission for him to return to Maldives. This point turned out to be proven according to an interview given by Kuvaa Mohamed Maniku, a close associate of Nasir to TVM on 23 November 2008. Maniku said he met President Nasir at Bangkok Airport in 1990 after Nasir had been pardoned by the Government and Nasir had told Maniku he had sent a letter to President Gayoom requesting permission to return to Maldives and to live anywhere in the country approved by President Gayoom. According to Maniku, late President Nasir had told him, that he had not received a reply from Gayoom.
Later life
Nasir was succeeded by President Maumoon Abdul GayoomMaumoon Abdul Gayoom
Maumoon Abdul Gayoom was President of the Maldives from 1978 to 2008. After serving as Minister of Transport, he was nominated as President by the Majlis of the Maldives and succeeded Ibrahim Nasir on November 11, 1978. He eventually became the longest-ruling head of government in Asia...
who was then Minister of Transport and former permanent representative of the Maldives to the United States. The former president went into exile in Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
on 7 December 1978 after resigning from his post. In 1981, Gayoom sentenced him to jail in absentia
In absentia
In absentia is Latin for "in the absence". In legal use, it usually means a trial at which the defendant is not physically present. The phrase is not ordinarily a mere observation, but suggests recognition of violation to a defendant's right to be present in court proceedings in a criminal trial.In...
for alleged corruption charges and plotting a coup d'état; none of the allegations were proven and Nasir was pardoned.
Death
On November 22, 2008, at the age of 82, Nasir died at Mount Elizabeth HospitalMount Elizabeth Hospital
Mount Elizabeth Hospital is a 373-bed private hospital in Singapore operated by Parkway Health. It was started in 1976 and officially opened in 8 December 1979....
in Singapore. Though the cause of death is unknown, he had kidney problems, which plagued him in the time before his death. Nasir's body was flown to the Maldives, where his body was displayed in Theemuge
Theemuge
Theemuge is the site of the former presidential palace of Maldives. Upgraded to presidential standards in 1992 by then-president Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom, Theemuge served as the presidential palace until 2008, when Gayyoom was overthrown in the country's first democratic election...
, the presidential palace in Malé
Malé
Malé , is the capital and most populous city in the Republic of Maldives. It is located at the southern edge of North Malé Atoll . It is also one of the Administrative divisions of the Maldives. Traditionally it was the King's Island, from where the ancient Maldive Royal dynasties ruled and where...
, on November 23. The day was declared a national holiday in the Maldives, and tens of thousands of Maldivians flocked to see Nasir's body. At the presidential palace, current President
President of the Maldives
The President of the Maldives is the Head of State and Head of Government and first citizen of the Republic of Maldives and the Supreme Commander of the Maldivian armed forces.The current President of the Republic of Maldives is Mohamed Nasheed....
Mohamed Nasheed
Mohamed Nasheed
Mohamed Nasheed is a Maldivian politician. He is the current President of the Maldives. He is the founder of the Maldivian Democratic Party and was its presidential candidate in the October 2008 presidential election, defeating long-time President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom in a second round of voting...
were among those who paid their respects to Nasir. His funeral prayer was led by Dr. 'Abdul Majeed 'Abdul-Bari after the Fajr
Fajr
The Fajr prayer is the first of the five daily prayers offered by practising Muslims. The five daily prayers collectively form one pillar of the Five Pillars of Islam, in Sunni Islam, and one of the ten Practices of the Religion according to Shia Islam.The Fajr prayer is mentioned by name in the...
(dawn) prayers on Monday, 24 November 2008. After the funeral prayers, Nasir was laid to rest at dawn at the cemetery attached to the Friday Mosque (Hukuru Miskkiy). Nasir was survived by three children, Ahmed Nasir, Ismail Nasir and Aishath Nasir. His other two sons, Ali Nasir and Muhamed Nasir, had predeceased their father by several years.