Today marks fifty years since Maldives gained independence from the Maldives. Maldives was a protectorate of Britain since 1887. It was former President, the late Ibrahim Nasir who spearheaded the independence movement, which ensured economic, social and political independence for the country. While we mark the golden jubilee of independence, it is important to shed light on the life of former president Ibrahim Nasir.
President Ibrahim Nasir was the first president of the second republic in Maldives. He is the second president of the country. He was a founder, who served the country in bringing development in various fields. He pioneered and managed a number of infrastructure development projects in the country as well.
Sumuvvul Ameer Ibrahim Nasir Rannabandeyri Kilegefaanu was born on September 2, 1926 at Fuvahmulah. He was the son of Ahmed Didi, who was the son of Thuththu Dhon Didi, who was son of Ibrahim Dhoshimeynaa Kilegefaanu. His mother was Aisha Didi, daughter of Moosa Didi of Fuvahmulah Dhasimagu Palace. Nasir however was brought up by his uncle, Ibrahim Didi of Velaanage.
Nasir married thrice and had five children from these marriages. They are Ahmed Nasir, from his marriage to Aishath Zubair (Thuththu Goma), Ali Nasir and Mohamed Nasir from his marriage to Mariyam Saeed and Aishath Nasir and Ismail Nasir from his marriage to Naseema Mohamed. Ahmed Nasir, Ismail Nasir and Aishath Nasir are the surviving siblings.
Ibrahim Nasir was a simple man. He was known to be truthful, loyal and kind. People who knew him say that betrayal and lying are characteristics that cannot be attributed to Nasir.
He gained education from Madhrasathul Saniyya and then at Sri Lanka. He returned to Maldives and was employed in the government.
Nasir was appointed Prime Minister on December 11, 1957 when incumbent Sumuvvul Ameer Ibrahim Faamudheyri Kilegefaanu resigned from the position. After taking his oath of office December 10, 1957, he remained the Prime Minister of Maldives for the next ten years.
During his tenure as Prime Minister, a bill was proposed to parliament to declare the system of government in the country which was followed by a landmark referendum held on November 15, 1967. as an outcome, the second republic was established in Maldives and Ibrahim Nasir took oath as the President of Maldives on November 11, 1968.
The ten years Nasir spent in office marked the ground breaking for the development that the country sees today. Great changes were brought to the country in terms of infrastructure, economic development and social development.
He shouldered the herculean responsibility of convincing the British to leave the country. The independence declaration was signed by the two countries on July 26, 1965. At the time Nasir was the Prime Minister of Maldives.
It was during the Nasir administration that the black and white band was removed from the national flag, and a new flag was introduced. He introduced English medium education in schools.
In order to bring economic development, he deported the Vora traders that were monopolizing the country’s trade and ensured that Maldivians got the deserving market price for selling fish and coir rope in international trade. He also paved way to import frozen and canned fish from the country and establish a shipping line in Maldives. It was Nasir who developed the first international airport in Hulhule’ as well.
Nasir, was not a man for words. But he showed insight and prudence in his actions. He was the reason behind radios and television being introduced to the country, as well as the founder of the national airline.
Ibrahim Nasir resigned from office at midnight on November 10, 1978. He then moved to Singapore for years before he requested authorization from the government to return. Nasir passed away on November 22, 2008, thirty years after he left the country, his request to return to Maldives, still unauthorized.