Ali Waheed (Dhivehi: ޢަލީ ވަޙީދު; born July 20, 1984), also known as Ammadey, is a Maldivian politician who served as the Tourism Minister of Maldives, former MP (People's Majlis)[1] and the Chairperson of the Jumhooree Party.[2] He was also the Chairman of New Radiant Sports Club.[3]
Ali Waheed | |
|---|---|
ޢަލީ ވަޙީދު | |
 Official portrait, 2018 | |
| Minister of Tourism | |
| In office November 17, 2018 – July 9, 2020 | |
| President | Ibrahim Mohamed Solih |
| Preceded by | Moosa Zameer |
| Succeeded by | Abdulla Mausoom |
| Chairperson of Maldivian Democratic Party | |
| In office August 30, 2014 – May 2016 | |
| Deputy PG Leader of Maldivian Democratic Party | |
| In office 2013–2014 | |
| Member of People's Majlis | |
| In office 2009–2014 | |
| Constituency | Thoddoo |
| Deputy Leader of Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party | |
| In office 2010–2011 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 20, 1984 Malé, Maldives |
| Alma mater | Limkokwing University of Creative Technology University of Curtin (BA) |
Early life and education
editBorn on July 20, 1984, Ali Waheed is the only son of Mohamed Waheed and Zuhura Abdulla. Although his parents are from the islands of Kulhudhuffushi and Thoddoo, Ali Waheed was born and raised in the capital city of Malé. He underwent primary and secondary education at Jamaluddin School and Majeediyya School. Upon completion of secondary education at Center for Higher Secondary Education, Ali Waheed went abroad for his undergraduate studies.
He completed his undergraduate studies at Limkokwing University of Creative Technology, Malaysia and holds a bachelor's degree of Mass Communication from the University of Curtin, Australia.[4]
Ali Waheed worked at the Presidents’ Office of Maldives for a short period of time before and after completing his undergraduate studies. During this time he was offered to work at the 2008 Presidential Elections. He quit his job at the Presidents office in order to pursue a career in politics, as the then Civil Service Act prohibited Civil servants from working at political campaigns and rallies.
Career
editPolitical work and Parliament
editAli Waheed first entered into the Maldivian political arena as the Spokesperson of Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP), the political party of the then incumbent President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. He worked during the first democratic elections held in the Maldives to represent and defend DRP and President Gayoom's policies and other agendas. With the defeat of the 2008 elections, Ali Waheed ran for the first Parliamentary elections to be held after the ratification of the new Constitution, as a member of Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party.
In the May 2009 election, he ran for the Constituency of Thoddoo and succeeded against his main opponent at that time from the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).
After his election to Parliament, Ali Waheed also represented his party, the main opposition at the leadership level, being elected the first Deputy Leader during the 2010 DRP Congress.[5] His close affiliation with the then DRP leader, Ahmed Thasmeen Ali was highly criticized by those loyal to the former President and the public as well. With the internal political disputes in DRP, Ali Waheed quit the party and joined the ruling party MDP in May 2011 with controversial criticism and allegations from both his former party and the general public.[6]
Chairman of New Radiant Sports Club
editIn addition to politics, Ali Waheed took an active involvement in sports, particularly football. He became Chairman of the New Radiant Sports Club in 2011 for a four-year term. Founded in 1979, the Club is one of the oldest clubs in the history of Maldives. New Radiant has since his Chairmanship repeated its success after a few unsuccessful years and qualified for the 2013 AFC quarter-finals.[7] Prior to being elected Chairman of New Radiant Sports Club, Ali Waheed served as the club manager for a brief period in 2008 and was appointed as the Maldivian National Football team Manager in the year 2011.[8]
Minister of Tourism
editAli Waheed was appointed as the Tourism Minister on November 17, 2018.[9] The President asked for the resignation of Minister of Tourism on July 8, 2020 on allegations of sexual assault to Tourism Ministry Staff.[10] Economic Minister Fayyaz took over the Ministry of Tourism on July 9, 2020.[11]
References
edit- ^ "ޢަލީ ވަޙީދު" [Ali Waheed]. People's Majlis (in Divehi). Archived from the original on July 5, 2010. Retrieved July 9, 2013.
- ^ "Ibu elected as PG Leader, Ali Waheed and Jabir as PG Deputy Leaders of MDP". Sun. March 19, 2013. Archived from the original on April 16, 2015. Retrieved July 9, 2013.
- ^ "New Radiant Sports Club: Official Website". New Radiant S.C. Archived from the original on January 13, 2014.
- ^ Morais, Mathew (October 6, 2011). "Soon a Limkokwing campus in The Maldives". Limkokwing University of Creative Technology. Archived from the original on October 16, 2011. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
- ^ "Four deputy leaders elected by Opposition DRP". Asian Tribune. February 18, 2010. Archived from the original on February 20, 2010. Retrieved September 12, 2014.
- ^ "Maldivian opposition DRP's Deputy Leader Ali Waheed quits party". Haveeru Daily. May 19, 2011. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved July 12, 2013.
- ^ "New Radiant lifts DDL shield". Maldives Soccer. Archived from the original on June 5, 2013. Retrieved July 14, 2013.
- ^ "MP Ali Waheed appointed national team manager". Minivan News. July 7, 2011. Archived from the original on August 31, 2014. Retrieved September 12, 2014.
- ^ "President appoints members to the Cabinet". The President's Office. November 18, 2018. Retrieved August 3, 2024.
- ^ Ibrahim, Nafaahath (July 8, 2020). "President orders for Tourism Minister Ali Waheed's resignation". The Edition. Retrieved August 3, 2024.
- ^ "President Dismisses Tourism Minister Ali Waheed from Post". The President's Office. July 9, 2020. Retrieved August 3, 2024.