Mohamed Amin Didi | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Formal portrait, 1950 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1st President of the Maldives | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office 1 January 1953 – 21 August 1953 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Vice President | Ibrahim Muhammad Didi | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | Office established | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | Ibrahim Muhammad Didi | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6th Prime Minister of the Maldives | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office 22 April 1951 – 21 August 1953 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | Muhammad Fareed Didi[A] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | Ibrahim Ali Didi | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal details | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | Mohamed Amin 20 July 1910 Athireege, Fura Malé, Maldive Islands | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Died | 19 January 1954 (aged 43) Vihamanaafushi, Maldive Islands | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Manner of death | Assassination | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Resting place | Amin Mausoleum | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Political party | Muthagaddim | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Spouses |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Children | 3[a] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Alma mater | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Occupation |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Signature |  | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mohamed Amin Didi, DKf, NIIV (/ɑːˈmiːn ˈdiːdi/; 20 July 1910 – 19 January 1954) was an Maldivian statesman, writer, lawyer and politician who concurrently served as the first president of the Maldives in 1953, while also serving as Prime Minister of the Maldives from 1951 to 1953 and other ministerial positions. Although he served as president for only eight months, Amin was one of the longest–serving leaders in the Maldivian history.
During the World War II, Amin ruled the Maldive Islands, as Home Minister, after both King Hassan Nooraddine II and Prime Minister Muhammad Fareed Didi resigned in 1943, and remained in the position until he was elected as Prime Minister on 22 April 1951. Due to health issues, Sultan–elect Prince Abdul Majeed Didi refused to ascend the throne, and shortly before Majeed's death, Amin was offered the positions of Prince Regent of the Maldives and commander-in-chief of the Maldivian Defence Force. However, he declined the role of Prince Regent and opted to serve solely as the supreme head of state. While he was the supreme head, sultan–elect died in Ceylon, and Many in the government at the time saw no one other than Amin as suitable to be the king. However, he refused, declaring, "For the sake of the Maldivian people, I will not accept the crown and throne". As a result, a referendum was conducted, leading to the establishment of the Maldives as a republic. This republic, however, was short–lived; a revolution erupted in Malé while the Amin was in Ceylon for medical treatment.
Amin Didi was involved in the drafting of the first Constitution of the Maldives, serving as a member of the committee responsible for drafting the Constitution. After several meetings held, he formed the People's Progressive Party, the first political party in the Maldives, and was appointed president. Additionally, Amin Didi served in various ministerial roles, including Minister of Trade, Minister of Education, Minister of Interior, Minister of Security General, Minister of Finance, and Minister of Foreign Affairs, among others. Amin was awarded Order of the Distinguished Rule of Izzuddin, the highest award in the Maldives, on 15 August 1952. Further, he was also appointed the commander-in-chief of Maldivian Defence Force in 1952, and remained in the position until his death.
During his tenure in public service, Amin played a significant role in shaping the Maldives' political and social landscape. He introduced notable reforms, including the implementation of the rule of law in governance and the expansion of education nationwide. His efforts contributed to the modernization of the country and revitalization of Dhivehi language and literature. Politically, Amin was instrumental in renewing the agreement between the British and the Maldivian government and resolving conflicts in Addu Atoll. He also took steps to promote women's participation in government, including appointing women to government positions and advocating for their involvement in public life. Additionally, he organized the first beauty pageant in the country. After assuming the presidency, he engaged with the public through domestic island visits, speeches, and participation in various sports activities.
Early life
editChildhood and education
edit
Mohamed Amin Didi was born on 20 July 1910 at his family's home, Athireege at around 8:35 (MVT).[1] He was born to Ahmed Dhoshimeyna Kilegefan of Athireege and his wife Aishath Didi of Roanuge.[1] Amin was the second child of his parents and the only son. Amin had a elder sister, Aminath Amin and a younger sister, Mariyam Amin, who was born on 31 May 1919.[2]
Amin and his elder sister, Aminath, initially received instruction in mathematics, Urdu, and the Quran. Quran recitation sessions were scheduled at 9 am, lasting one hour each day. Urdu and mathematics were taught later in the day at 4 pm. Amin's first English teacher was his father, Ahmed Dhoshimeyna Kilegefan.
Amin was born during the premiership of his paternal grandfather, Ibrahim Dhoshimeyna Kilegefan, who was prime minister of the Maldives six times, during the reigns of four different kings for more than 40 years.[3][4] Of Kilegefan being the prime minister, the family was a wealthy family, which lead Amin relocate to Colombo for studying. At the age of 10, Amin traveled to Sri Lanka to pursue his English education, enrolling at St. Joseph's College in Colombo.[5] He departed for Ceylon on the evening of 17 February 1920 aboard the ship Lady McCollum. After spending some time at St. John's College in Colombo, Amin was under the guardianship of his uncle, Abdul Hameed Didi, the Maldivian Ambassador to Ceylon.[6] Following his English language studies, Amin continued his education at Aligarh Muslim University in India, where he completed his Matriculation examination.[7] At the request of his uncle Abdul Majeed Didi, then prime minister, Amin returned to the Maldives after his studies.[8]
At St. John's College, Amin was elected Secretary of the Speaking Association and served as the editor of the college magazine Baz. He also held the position of Senior Prefect before leaving the college.[9] Amin actively participated in sports, including football, cricket, and boxing. He was a member of the school's Boy Scouts.[10] During his time at Aligarh Muslim University, Amin was involved in various activities. In the 1920s, he represented the university in a debate competition among Indian universities, where Aligarh University secured first place. Amin himself won first place in the University Representative Competition and was awarded six gold medals and two silver medals.[11]
Marriages and children
edit
Mohamed Amin's first marriage was to Fatimath Saeed, the daughter of the renowned Maldivian scholar Sheikh Hussain Salahuddine.[12] The couple married in 1934 and had three children together.[13] Their first two children, both sons, died—one was stillborn, and the other passed away at six days old. Their third child, and only daughter daughter Ameena Mohamed Amin, was the only one to survive.[14] Amin later married Aminath Didi; however, this marriage ended in divorce before they had any children. His third marriage was to Princess Zubaida Mohamed Didi, granddaughter of King Muhammad Imaduddine VI, while he was still married to Fatimath Saeed. Amin and Zubaida did not have any children.[15]
Political career
editDuring Mohamed Amin's early political life, the first Constitution of the Maldives was being drafted.[16] In 1932, he served as a member of the committee responsible for drafting the Constitution.[17] In 1943, following the abdication of the reigning monarch and the increasing political disputes and conflicts exacerbated by the outbreak of World War II, the country sought a political leader to guide it through the turmoil. Abdul Majeed Didi, who was then residing in Colombo, was invited to assume the throne.[18]
Head of government and interior minister
editPrince Hassan Fareed Didi was appointed de facto head of government and Minister of Interior in the presence of the King and the Prime Minister. On 12 January 1942, upon his leave, Amin Didi was appointed as interim Minister of Interior. The constitution, ratified on 23 April 1942, established the Minister of Interior as the head of government. Under this constitution, the Minister of the Interior was granted authority to administer all state affairs.[19] Three days after the ratification, on 26 April 1942, the King and Prime Minister informed Parliament that the administration of state affairs had been entrusted to Amin Didi.[20] He was assumed the permanent post of Minister of the Interior, Following the death of Fareed at the sinking of HMS Maaløy on 31 March.[B] It was further stated that the Minister of Interior was authorized to manage all state affairs until the cessation of World War II and the stabilization of global conditions.
Premiership (1951–1953)
edit
After the death of the sultan, a general election was held on 22 April 1951, in which citizens of the Maldive Islands elected a prime minister through a direct vote for the first time in history.[18] In the election, Amin was the only nominee for prime minister, running as a independent candidate. He secured hundred percent in the election, and was sworn in the same day.[18]
Presidency (1953)
editOverthrow
editIllness and Death
editLegacy
editNotes
edit- ^ Fareed resigned as prime minister in 1943. Hower, since Amin was the Minister of Interior and Minister of Interior was the head of the government, Amin succeeded Fareed, as the head of government.
- ^ Some documents state that Hassan Farid Didi died and declared missing on 1 April; more states 31 March[21]
- ^ Amin had two sons and a daughter, first child died at birth and second child died six days old, 3rd child Ameena grew up as the only surviving child
References
edit- ^ a b The President's Office 2020.
- ^ Amin, Mohamed (1948). My memories. p. 5.
- ^ Shakir, Ahmed (22 March 2007). "Sumuvul Ameer Alh'aaju Ibrahim Dhoshimeynaa Kileygefaanu" [Haji Ibrahim Dhoshimeyna Kilegefan]. Digital Repository of Maldives National University (in Divehi): 4. Retrieved 10 August 2024.
- ^ Amin, Mohamed (1940s). Mi Zamaanuge Khageegee Bappa [The Real Father of this Time].
- ^ Waheed 2008, p. 1.
- ^ Waheed 2008, p. 2.
- ^ Waheed 2008, p. 3.
- ^ Manik Hussain 1999, p. 22.
- ^ Waheed 2008, p. 22.
- ^ Waheed 2008, p. 25.
- ^ Waheed 2008, p. 27.
- ^ Amin, Mohamed (1948). My Memories. p. 7.
- ^ Zalif, Zunana (6 May 2020). "Late president Amin Didi's only daughter and last surviving child passes away at 85". Raaje. Archived from the original on 9 May 2024. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
- ^ "Death of Last Surviving Child of Amin Didi". Coral Glass Media. 6 May 2020. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
- ^ Amin, Mohamed (1948). My Memories. p. 9.
- ^ Suood, Husnu Al (2018). Political System of the Ancient Kingdom of Maldives (PDF). Malé: National Law Institute. pp. 24–25.
- ^ Handhaanaai thareekhattakai Dhivehiraajje 1 (in Divehi). The President's Office, Dhivehi Nadhee. 1981. ISBN 9991510818.
- ^ a b c Naajih, Mohamed. "Amin did not rule the Maldives for only 7 months. Its 10 years" (in Divehi). One Online. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
- ^ The Man who ruled a country as Minister of the Interior. p. 2.
- ^ The Man who ruled a country as Minister of the Interior. p. 3.
- ^ "What happened to Hassan Farid Didi?". Maldives Royal Family. Retrieved 6 May 2008.
Further reading
edit- "President Al Ameer Mohamed Amin". The President's Office. 30 September 2020. Archived from the original on 10 November 2023. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
- Manik Hussain, Abdul Hakeem (1999). "Mohamed Shamsuddeen Radhunge dhigu raskamuge hithaamaveri nimun" [The Sad End of the long reign of King Muhammad Shamsuddine III] (PDF). Faithoora (in Divehi): 58.
- Waheed, Mohamed (2008). "Mohamed Amin Didi at the Aligarh Muslim University" (PDF). Faithoora (in Divehi). Retrieved 24 September 2008.