Umar Zahir | |
|---|---|
އުމަރު ޒާހިރު | |
.jpg) Zahir in 2016 | |
| Senior Minister | |
| In office 2005–2008 | |
| President | Maumoon Abdul Gayoom |
| Minister of Public Works | |
| In office 1993–2004 | |
| President | Maumoon Abdul Gayoom |
| Minister of Sports | |
| In office 1988–1993 | |
| President | Maumoon Abdul Gayoom |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1936-10-26)26 October 1936 |
| Died | 20 December 2021(2021-12-20) (aged 85) Galolhu Cemetery,Malé, Maldives |
| Occupation | Politician and statesman |
Umar Zahir,NIIV (Dhivehi:އުމަރު ޒާހިރު; 26 October 1936 – 20 December 2021) was aMaldivian politician. He was the first sports minister of the Maldives, serving from 1988 to 1993. As public works minister from 1993 to 2004, he oversaw the first construction phase ofHulhumalé, as well as the construction ofThilafushi and theMalé seawall.
Zahir was born on 26 October 1936.[1] He was married to Moomina Ibrahim, and they had one daughter. Moomina died in 2018 at the age of 84.[2]
Around 1950, Zahir began working at the government liaison office forGan. He later worked in a number of jobs: headmaster ofMajeediyya School, owner of Radio Maldives, and manager of Bandos Resort.[3]
Prior to 1970, Zahir returned to the government service asDeputy Minister in theMinistry of Education, then inHome Affairs.[3]
Zahir served as the President ofMalé Municipality from 1980 to 1993, introducing projects to improve the city and its roads.[3] In 1983, he was appointed Minister of Home Affairs and Social Services. In 1988, Social Services was moved out of the ministry's purview, and Zahir was appointed Minister of Home Affairs and Sports. This was the first sports ministry for the Maldives.[1]
Zahir served as Minister of Construction and Public Works from 1993 to 2004, with several projects onland reclamation. Under Zahir, the ministry continued the construction ofThilafushi[3] which had begun in 1992. While the island served as the mainwaste management site for the nearby capital of Malé, the absence of processing facilities[4] led to Thilafushi's international notoriety as "trash island". Plans for modern disposal facilities were announced in 2021.[5] The ministry also completed the first construction phase (1997–2002) ofHulhumalé. Dubbed "the island of hope" by foreign press, Hulhumalé would provide more housing for residents of Malé, one of themost densely-populated cities in the world.[6] To better protect Malé from ocean hazards, Zahir's ministry built aseawall (1995–1997) withJapanese foreign aid.[7] His ministry also built harbors inFuvahmulah (2000–2002)[8] and other islands. After briefly returning as Minister of Home Affairs from 2004 to 2005, he was Senior Minister from 2005 to 2008.[3]
Besides his ministry roles, Zahir was aMember of Parliament in the 1990s.[3]
After leaving the government, Zahir continued to support formerPresidentMaumoon Abdul Gayoom.[9] When Gayoom was jailed prior to the2018 presidential election,[10] Zahir supported the united opposition on Gayoom's behalf.[2][9]
Zahir received theOrder of the Distinguished Rule of Izzuddin in 2008.[11][12] He was a guest of honour at the 2020 opening ofLonuziyaaraiy Park in Malé.[13]
Zahir died in Malé on 20 December 2021, after being hospitalized forCOVID-19. PresidentIbrahim Mohamed Solih[14] and theMaldives Olympic Committee both published their condolences.[15] Zahir received astate funeral on the same day, and was buried inGalolhu Cemetery. Thenational flag was flown athalf-mast from 21 to 23 December.[11]
An office building in Hulhumalé was dedicated to him by the president who noted that he had performed an invaluable service to theMaldivian people as a state dignitary.[16] Currently, the office building houses some ministries.[17]
Media related toUmar Zahir (politician) at Wikimedia Commons