Abdul Raheem Abdulla
Speaker of the People's Majlis since 2024
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Abdul Raheem Abdulla (Dhivehi: ޢަބްދުއްރަޙީމް ޢަބްދުﷲ; born 19 April 1967) more popularly known as Adhurey is a Maldivian politician who is currently serving the 21st speaker of the People's Majlis since 28 May 2024.[2][3] Previously, he was serving as a Special Advisor to the President of the Maldives Mohamed Muizzu.[4] He is the chairman of the People's National Congress.[5][6]
Ahmed Saleem
Abdul Raheem Abdulla | |
|---|---|
ޢަބްދުއްރަޙީމް ޢަބްދުﷲ | |
Official portrait, 2023 | |
| 21st Speaker of the People's Majlis | |
| Assumed office 28 May 2024 | |
| President | Mohamed Muizzu |
| Deputy | Ahmed Nazim (2024–2026) Ahmed Saleem |
| Preceded by | Mohamed Aslam |
| Special Advisor to the President | |
| In office 17 November 2023 – 28 May 2024 | |
| President | Mohamed Muizzu |
| Succeeded by | Mohamed Waheed Hassan |
| Chairperson of the People's National Congress | |
| Assumed office 5 October 2023 | |
| Member of the People's Majlis | |
| Assumed office 28 May 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Moosa Siraj |
| Constituency | Fonadhoo |
| In office 28 May 2009 – 28 May 2019 | |
| Succeeded by | Moosa Siraj |
| Constituency | Fonadhoo |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 19 April 1967 Fonadhoo, Laamu Atoll, Maldives |
| Party | People's National Congress |
Other political affiliations | Progressive Party of Maldives (2014–2025) People's Alliance (2008–2013) |
| Spouse | Dhiyana Hussain[1] |
| Children | Ibrahim Faisal |
Early life
Abdul Raheem Abdulla was born to Maryam Ahmed[7] on 19 April 1967 in Fonadhoo.[8]
He was exiled as punishment of a crime during the presidency of Maumoon Abdul Gayoom for stealing corrugated roofing sheets from the State Trading Organisation and became known as "Tinu Adhurey".[9][10]
Career
Abdul Raheem was elected to the 17th People's Majlis in 2009 representing the People's Alliance party (PA), headed by ex-President Abdulla Yameen.[11][12] In 2014, he was reelected representing the Progressive Party of Maldives in Fonadhoo in the 18th People's Majlis,[13] and was nominated as the party's candidate for Deputy Speaker, but lost to Reeko Moosa Manik.[14]
He was appointed Vice President of PPM after losing an election for the same.[15] Abdul Raheem was of the founding members of the People's National Congress (PNC),[16] of which he later became the chairperson.[6] On 17 November 2023, he was appointed as the Special Advisor to the President.[4] He was elected as the Speaker of the People's Majlis on 28 May 2024.[3]
Controversies and Gaffes
Abdul Raheem was embroiled in a controversy after he referred to the former Former President of Maldives Mohamed Nasheed as a "Jew" and a "Munafiq of proportions hereto unseen in the country".[17][18]
He was widely derided for claiming at a campaign event during the 2018 Maldivian presidential election that it was attended by 200,000 people "because 50 multiplied by 4 is 200,000", and has been subsequently known has "Hisaabu Soa" or "Mathematics teacher", with grossly incorrect sums popularly referred to as "Adhureymatics".[19]
