Mohamed Zahir
Encyclopedia
Major General
Mohamed Zahir (Dhivehi
: މުހައްމަދު ޒާހިރު) is the former Chief of Defence Force of the Maldives National Defence Force
of the Republic of Maldives. He is currently serving as the National Security Advisor to the President HE Mohamed Nasheed
.
After completion of secondary education in 1972, Zahir joined the civil service and worked in various government departments before enlisting in the Maldives National Defence Force in 1978 to the rank of Sergeant
and was commissioned as an officer two years later.
He assumed command as Chief of Staff of MNDF, formerly known as the National Security Service (NSS), on November 11, 1996 as a Brigadier
. He was promoted to the rank of Major General on April 21, 2004. He was also the chairman of the MNDF Advisory Council, the highest forum of senior serving officers. Zahir is also known to many Maldivians by the nickname "two two Zahir" (22 Zahir). He held the post of CDF until 18 November 2008.
Zahir is a graduate of Hendon Police College
, London, UK and the Naval Postgraduate School
, Monterey, United States. He also attended John F. Kennedy School of Government
, USA, in a program for Senior Executives in National and International Security.
During his past years of service, he has undertaken various command positions within different units of the MNDF. Before assuming the duties as the Chief of Staff of MNDF, he was also the Deputy Chief of Staff of MNDF. During this tenure, he played an integral role in conceptualizing and doctrinally developing the operational functioning of all the arms and services of the MNDF. He has also commanded the NSS Training Unit, now re-established as Defence Institute for Training and Education, whereby laying the groundwork for restructure and streamlining overall training policies. Zahir's dedicated effort in the development of the military has been highly appreciated by all ranks of Maldives National Defence Force.
For his gallant actions in the incidents of 1988, when a group of PLOTE mercenaries from Sri Lanka
attacked the capital Malé
, he was awarded the second highest gallantry award, the Medal for Exceptional Bravery. In addition, he is also decorated with the Presidential Medal, Distinguished Service Medal and the Dedicated Service Medal.
On 3 November 2008, Zahir was awarded the nation's highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor by the former President Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom.
Zahir is married to Fathimath Amira. She is the Principal of the Centre for Higher Secondary Education. The General has four sons and one daughter. His second son is currently serving in Maldives National Defence Force.
Major General
Major general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
Mohamed Zahir (Dhivehi
Dhivehi language
Maldivian is an Indo-Aryan language predominantly spoken by about 350,000 people in the Maldives where it is the national language. It is also the first language of nearly 10,000 people in the island of Minicoy in the Union territory of Lakshadweep, India where the Mahl dialect of the Maldivian...
: މުހައްމަދު ޒާހިރު) is the former Chief of Defence Force of the Maldives National Defence Force
Maldives National Defence Force
The Maldives National Defence Force is the combined security organisation responsible for defending the security and sovereignty of the Maldives, having the primary task of being responsible for attending to all internal and external security needs of the Maldives, including the protection of the...
of the Republic of Maldives. He is currently serving as the National Security Advisor to the President HE 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...
.
After completion of secondary education in 1972, Zahir joined the civil service and worked in various government departments before enlisting in the Maldives National Defence Force in 1978 to the rank of Sergeant
Sergeant
Sergeant is a rank used in some form by most militaries, police forces, and other uniformed organizations around the world. Its origins are the Latin serviens, "one who serves", through the French term Sergent....
and was commissioned as an officer two years later.
He assumed command as Chief of Staff of MNDF, formerly known as the National Security Service (NSS), on November 11, 1996 as a Brigadier
Brigadier
Brigadier is a senior military rank, the meaning of which is somewhat different in different military services. The brigadier rank is generally superior to the rank of colonel, and subordinate to major general....
. He was promoted to the rank of Major General on April 21, 2004. He was also the chairman of the MNDF Advisory Council, the highest forum of senior serving officers. Zahir is also known to many Maldivians by the nickname "two two Zahir" (22 Zahir). He held the post of CDF until 18 November 2008.
Zahir is a graduate of Hendon Police College
Hendon Police College
Hendon Police College is the principal training centre for London's Metropolitan Police Service. Founded with the official name of the Metropolitan Police College, the college is today officially called the Peel Centre, although its original name is still used frequently...
, London, UK and the Naval Postgraduate School
Naval Postgraduate School
The Naval Postgraduate School is an accredited research university operated by the United States Navy. Located in Monterey, California, it grants master's degrees, Engineer's degrees and doctoral degrees...
, Monterey, United States. He also attended John F. Kennedy School of Government
John F. Kennedy School of Government
The John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University is a public policy and public administration school, and one of Harvard's graduate and professional schools...
, USA, in a program for Senior Executives in National and International Security.
During his past years of service, he has undertaken various command positions within different units of the MNDF. Before assuming the duties as the Chief of Staff of MNDF, he was also the Deputy Chief of Staff of MNDF. During this tenure, he played an integral role in conceptualizing and doctrinally developing the operational functioning of all the arms and services of the MNDF. He has also commanded the NSS Training Unit, now re-established as Defence Institute for Training and Education, whereby laying the groundwork for restructure and streamlining overall training policies. Zahir's dedicated effort in the development of the military has been highly appreciated by all ranks of Maldives National Defence Force.
For his gallant actions in the incidents of 1988, when a group of PLOTE mercenaries from Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
attacked the capital 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 was awarded the second highest gallantry award, the Medal for Exceptional Bravery. In addition, he is also decorated with the Presidential Medal, Distinguished Service Medal and the Dedicated Service Medal.
On 3 November 2008, Zahir was awarded the nation's highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor by the former President Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom.
Zahir is married to Fathimath Amira. She is the Principal of the Centre for Higher Secondary Education. The General has four sons and one daughter. His second son is currently serving in Maldives National Defence Force.