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 theMaldives 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, inclidingLubna |
| Alma mater | Al-Azhar University National University of Malaysia (PhD) |
| Awards | List |
Mohamed Zahir HussainNIIV (Dhivehi:މުޙައްމަދު ޒާހިރު ޙުސައިން) is a Maldivian politician, journalist, and former teacher who is currently thechancellor of the Islamic University of Maldives.[1]
Hussain studied atAl-Azhar University in 1971.[2] He completed his PhD in theNational University of Malaysia.[3]
After coming back to Maldives from studying at Al-Azhar University, Husain became an Islam teacher atAminiya School.[2] Later, presidentIbrahim Nasir appointed Hussain as a lawyer in theMinistry of Education. During theGayoom 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 toCHSE).[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 onteacher 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-defunctHaveeru Daily.[9]
In 2008, he was awarded theOrder of the Distinguished Rule of Izzuddin byMaumoon Abdul Gayoom.[10]
In 2012, Hussain was appointed by presidentMohamed Waheed Hassan as the chancellor of theMaldives National University.[11]
In 20 August 2019, he was appointed as the Islamic University of Maldives by presidentIbrahim Mohamed Solih.[12][4]
In November 2024, he was awarded the Highest Honour of Service to the Education sector by presidentMohamed Muizzu for his services in the education sector.[13]
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 newspaperHaveeru 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]
His wife was Naalia Ibrahim Kaleyfaan, who died in 2021 while receiving treatment inADK Hospital.[14] He has three children – Leena Zahir Hussain, Vail Zahir Hussain andLubna Mohamed Zahir Hussain.[14]
