Mohamed Zahir Hussain
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Mohamed Muizzu
Abdulla Yameen
Ibrahim Mohamed Solih
Mohamed Zahir Hussain | |
|---|---|
މުޙައްމަދު ޒާހިރު ޙުސައިން | |
 Official portrait, 2019 | |
| Chancellor of the Islamic University of Maldives | |
| In office 20 August 2019 – 1 February 2026 | |
| President | Ibrahim Mohamed Solih Mohamed Muizzu |
| Chancellor of the Maldives National University | |
| In office 20 March 2012 – 20 August 2019 | |
| President | Mohamed Waheed Hassan Abdulla Yameen Ibrahim Mohamed Solih |
| Succeeded by | Hassan Hameed |
| Minister of Education | |
| In office 23 July 1979 – 30 May 1990 | |
| President | Maumoon Abdul Gayoom |
| Preceded by | Abdul Sattar Moosa Didi |
| Succeeded by | Abdulla Hameed |
| Personal details | |
| Born | |
| Spouse |
Naalia Ibrahim Kaleyfaan
(died) |
| Children | 3, including Lubna |
| Alma mater | Al-Azhar University National University of Malaysia (PhD) |
| Awards | List |
Mohamed Zahir Hussain NIIV (Dhivehi: މުޙައްމަދު ޒާހިރު ޙުސައިން) is a Maldivian politician, journalist, and former teacher who is currently the chancellor of the Islamic University of Maldives.[1]
Hussain studied at Al-Azhar University in 1971.[2] He completed his PhD in the National University of Malaysia.[3]
Career
After coming back to Maldives from studying at Al-Azhar University, Husain became an Islam teacher at Aminiya School.[2] Later, president Ibrahim Nasir appointed Hussain as a lawyer in the Ministry of Education. During the Gayoom administration, he was appointed as the Minister of Education on 23 July 1979.[2][4] During his time as the Minister of Education, Hussain oversaw the creation of multiple community schools, notables being the Science Education Centre (predecessor to CHSE).[2]
He also oversaw the rise in the literature rate in the country and led the establishment of a modern curriculum in Maldivian schools.[2] He also focused on teacher education which helped finding teachers across the atolls. Hussain also wanted to spread Arabic knowledge across the country which led to the creation of the Madhrasathul Dhiraasathul Islamiyya, now the Islamic University of Maldives.[2]
He served other ministerial positions in the government such as Minister of Education, Minister of Youth and Sports and Minister at the President's Office.[5][6][7] During his time as Youth and Sports minister, he led efforts to expand and develop sports in the country.[2] He resigned as Youth Minister but was later appointed as a Senior Minister (Special Advisor to the President) in 2006.[8] He is also the chairman of the now-defunct Haveeru Daily.[9]
In 2008, he was awarded the Order of the Distinguished Rule of Izzuddin by Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.[10]
In 2012, Hussain was appointed by president Mohamed Waheed Hassan as the chancellor of the Maldives National University (MNU).[11]
In 20 August 2019, he was appointed as the chancellor of the Islamic University of Maldives (IUM) by president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.[12][4]
In November 2024, he was awarded the Highest Honour of Service to the Education sector by president Mohamed Muizzu for his services in the education sector.[13]
In February 2026, Hussain resigned as the chancellor of the Islamic University of Maldives.[14] Hussain described his tenure as the chancellor of IUM as a "distinct honorur" and thanked President Mohamed Muizzu for giving him the opportunity.[14][15] Muizzu expressed gratitude to Hussain and presented him with a letter of appreciation.[15]
