Mohamed Muizzu facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mohamed Muizzu
Official portrait, 2024
8th President of the Maldives
Incumbent
Assumed office 17 November 2023
Vice President	Hussain Mohamed Latheef
Preceded by	Ibrahim Mohamed Solih
Mayor of Malé
In office 17 May 2021 – 17 November 2023
President	Ibrahim Mohamed Solih
Deputy	Ahmed Nareesh
Preceded by	Shifa Mohamed
Succeeded by	Ahmed Nareesh
Minister of Housing and Infrastructure
In office 21 May 2012 – 17 November 2018
President	Mohammed Waheed Hassan Abdulla Yameen
Preceded by	Himself (as Minister of Housing and Environment)
Succeeded by	Mohamed Aslam
Minister of Housing and Environment
In office 19 February 2012 – 21 May 2012
President	Mohammed Waheed Hassan
Succeeded by	Himself (as Minister of Housing and Infrastructure)
Personal details
Born	(1978-06-15) 15 June 1978 (age 46) Malé, Kaafu, Maldives
Political party	People's National Congress (2023–Present)
Other political affiliations	AP (2012–2014) MDA (2014–2018) PPM (2018–2023)
Spouse	Sajidha Mohamed ​ (m. 2003)​
Children	Yasmine Umair Zaid
Parents	Hussain Abdul Rahman Husna Adam
Relatives	Muizzu Family
Residence	Muliaage
Alma mater	University of London University of Leeds
Signature
Other offices 2023–Present: President of People's National Congress 2023–Present: President of Progressive Party of Maldives

Dr Mohamed Muizzu (born 15 June 1978) is a Maldivian politician who is the 8th and current president of the Maldives since 2023. He previously served as Housing Minister and was the Mayor of Malé from 2021 until his resignation in 2023.

Born in Malé, Muizzu studied civil engineering in the United Kingdom; he completed his PhD in 2009. Muizzu was later appointed as the Minister of Housing in 2012 and continued as Minister until 2018, Muizzu was the Mayor of Malé. As a member of the People's National Congress, he was nominated as the presidential candidate after former president Abdulla Yameen was jailed for serious corruption charges. He was chosen as his successor since Abdulla Yameen was ineligible to run for elections. He was the People's National Congress candidate for the 2023 presidential election, in which he defeated then-president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

Muizzu has received the position of leader of the PPM–PNC Coalition, as well as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces position in 2023, making Muizzu the first Maldivian President to hold the most positions in the Maldivian history. Furthermore, He served as the Senior Vice President of the Maldives Development Alliance from 2013 to 2018 and Deputy leader of Progressive Party of Maldives.

During his presidency, Muizzu has overseen policies including the expelling of Indian troops from the Maldives and ending the secret agreements made by the previous governments with other countries that threatened the independence and sovereignty of the Maldives. Muizzu has also focused on housing and structural development as well as the Government Policy and Legislative Reforms.

Early career

Mohamed Muizzu was born 15 June 1978 in the capital of the Maldives, Malé. He was born to Sheikh Hussain Abdul Rahman and Husna Adam. Muizzu's Father, Hussain Abdul Rahman (1944–2015) was a former judge and scholar of religion who in 2013 received the National Award of Honour from then-president Waheed for "contribution in the area of religious awareness and religious education". His parents divorced soon after Muizzu's birth, and he was raised by his paternal grandmother until he moved back to his mother's to attend primary school. Subsequently, he moved back to live with his father Muizzu has a half-sister Fathimath Saudha, who was a PNC candidate for the Nilandhoo constituency. She won the elections on the 21st April 2024.

Muizzu graduated from Majeediyya School in the 1990s. At the age of 20, he began working for the government in 1998, as a Construction and Public Works Planning Technician Trainee at the Ministry of Construction and Public Works, under the tutelage of Umar Zahir. Muizzu also served as the Governor of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank in 2017. Muizzu have served different positions in different offices. During his academic life, Muizzu always stood out as a studious, well-versed student who achieved academic excellence, leading up to his doctorate, bachelor's and master's degree.

In the 1990s Muizzu's Father, Hussain Abdul Rahman started the business of a daily rent hotel, which was then given to Muizzu in 2013, which was his presidential home by then, when the official residence, Muliaage was renovated.

Education

Muizzu went to Majeediyya School, the oldest school in Maldives. He earned his bachelor's and master's degree in structural engineering at the University of London, and he earned his PhD in civil engineering at the University of Leeds. His PhD thesis concerned "Thermal and time-dependent effects on monolithic reinforced concrete roof slab-wall joints" and was awarded in 2009. He has also attained Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from America's Project Management Institute (PMI).

Early Political career

Minister of Housing

Official portrait as Housing Minister, 2012

In 2012, Muizzu assumed the role of Minister of Housing and Environment during the administration of President Waheed as a member of the Adhaalath Party. He continued in this post after the 2013 Presidential Election under President Abdulla Yameen's administration. By this time Muizzu was a member of the Maldives Development Alliance (MDA), part of a coalition government. The Ministry of Housing and Environment was later restructured and renamed as the Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure during his five-year term in office.

During this time, Muizzu oversaw several infrastructure projects including the Sinamalé Bridge. The bridge connected the capital city of Malé to the Velana International Airport on the island of Hulhulé, and is the first inter-island bridge in Maldivian history.

With the completion of multiple public spaces under his supervision, Muizzu truly transformed the face of Malé City. During his time as Minister of Housing and Infrastructure, Dr. Muizzu saw the successful completion of multiple land reclamation, harbour development, and water and sewerage projects across the atolls.

Progressive Party of Maldives

Following the 2018 presidential election, Muizzu left the Maldives Development Alliance and joined the party of the outgoing president, the Progressive Party of Maldives. In 2019, Muizzu was appointed the vice-president and the head of the Elections Department of the then-opposition (PPM).

Mayor of Malé

In 2021, Muizzu was elected mayor of Malé defeating the candidate from the then-ruling Maldivian Democratic Party with a vote of 12470. Following the election, the then-deputy leader of opposition, Muizzu took oath of office as the mayor of Malé city on 17 May 2021. the oath were administered by High Court Chief Judge Haathif Hilmy in a virtual ceremony.

Muizzu was the first Mayor of Malé, to be directly elected by the citizens of Malé. He also became the First Mayor of Malé to be elected for a 5-year term. After 11 Years and 3 consecutive terms of rival Maldivian Democratic Party's control over Malé city council. Muizzu was elected to Mayor from Progressive Party of Maldives.

During his Mayor term, Muizzu Kept working closely with the people in Malé, making house calls to gain a better understanding of the living conditions in Malé, and actively advocating for decentralization and empowerment of local bodies.

Muizzu was the Mayor of Malé from 17 May, 2021 until his resignation on 17 November 2023. He was also the first mayor to resign from the position. After Muizzu became the President–Elect, Deputy Mayor Ahmed Nareesh was handed the responsibilities of the Mayor of Malé City and was the Acting Mayor of Malé. After ruling Malé for 2 years and 184 days, Muizzu resigned as Mayor of Malé on 17 November 2023. The decision was made following his taking oath of office as president on 17 November 2023.

President of PPM–PNC Coalition

On 5 October 2023 Muizzu was appointed as the president of People's National Congress, he assumed the role upon his victory in the presidential election. and in December 2023, Muizzu was appointed as the president of PNC's sister party, Progressive Party of Maldives following former party leader, Abdulla Yameen left the party on November 23 to create his own political party.

2023 campaign and election

Following the conviction of former president and opposition leader Abdulla Yameen for embezzlement, Muizzu was nominated as the presidential candidate for the People's National Congress (PNC), part of the opposition coalition, with MP Hussain Mohamed Latheef as his running mate. In the first round of the 2023 Maldivian presidential election, he received 46.06% of the vote, a plurality, and advanced to the second round on 30 September 2023. He was elected president in the second round, winning 54.04% against the incumbent Solih's 46.04%. Muizzu was sworn in as the new president on 17 November 2023.

Muizzu advocated for Yameen to be held under house arrest, rather than prison.
During the 2023 presidential election campaign, Muizzu had visited 153 inhabited islands and all cities of the Maldives in 53 days under the theme of "Dhivehinge Raajje", endorsed by the PPM-PNC coalition. At various election events, he has delivered speeches on 205 occasions, articulating his vision and policies for the nation's future.

Presidency

Muizzu took office as the 8th President of the Republic of Maldives on November 17, 2023. He is the fourth president to be democratically elected and the sixth from Malé to ascend to the presidency. Muizzu and his running mate, Hussain Mohamed Latheef's oath were administrated by Ahmed Muthasim Adnan, the Chief Justice of the Maldives.

First 100 days

During Muizzu's first few days in office, he initiated the withdrawal of Indian troops from the Maldives. During his presidential campaign, Muizzu committed to launching several housing projects within the first 100 days of his tenure, establishing a dedicated trust fund for housing, and formulating a policy to cap housing loan interest rates at five percent.

Muizzu started the process of bringing an end to the secret agreements made by the previous governments with other countries that threatened the independence and sovereignty of the Maldives and appeal against the ruling of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea to lose part of the South Sea within the Exclusive Economic Zone.

Domestic policy

Muizzu has announced plans to visit every island in the Maldives at least twice during his presidency.

Projects

In December, 2023 Muizzu announced the Ras Malé land reclamation project. Muizzu said that the city developed as Ras Malé at Fushi Dhiggaru Lagoon would result in the reclamation of 1,153 hectares of land, Muizzu reaffirmed his pledge to complete the project within eight months of commencement. Within the speech, Muizzu declared that an additional 85 hectares from Gulhi Falhu with a bridge connection and 50 hectares from Giraavaru Falhu would be reclaimed to resolve the housing crisis in the Malé region.

During several speeches, Muizzu have declared that the Addu Bridge will be completed and opened for use within his presidential term. the Addu Bridge will be the longest bridge ever built in the Maldives.

First and second official trip

On 26 November 2023, Muizzu and First Lady Sajidha Mohamed went on their first official trip to Turkey. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz met Muizzu in Ankara.

His second trip was to the United Arab Emirates, to attend the 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) in Dubai. In the COP28, Muizzu Delivered a National statement and declared the government’s commitment to developing renewable energy systems capable of providing 33 percent of the nation’s electrical needs within the next five years.

During the visit, Muizzu met with the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and King Charles III of the United Kingdom. He also met with the Caretaker Prime Minister of Pakistan, Anwaar ul Haq Kakar, First Vice Premier of China, Ding Xuexiang and Sri Lankan President, Ranil Wickremesinghe.

China and India relations

Muizzu meeting Narendra Modi in December 2023.

Muizzu meeting Xi Jinping in January 2024.

On 7 January 2024, Muizzu arrived in China on an invitation extended by President Xi Jinping. as a China-pro candidate, Muizzu's presidential campaign focused on reducing Indian influence in Maldivian affairs. Observers have described him as pro-China. On 13 January 2024, in the interview after coming back from China, Muizzu expressed and said;

We, our country maybe small. But that doesn't give you the license to bully us!

In the late, January 2024, Muizzu said that China–Maldives relations are based upon four principles: mutual respect, sovereign equality, territorial integrity, and non-interference in internal matters. Muizzu remarked that China respects the territorial sovereignty of the Maldives just as the Maldives fully accept China's One China policy.

In interviews prior to taking office, Muizzu has said that all Indian troops should leave the Maldives. As of 2024, the Maldivian Defence Ministry said about 77 Indian personnel were based in the country, operating aircraft given to the Maldives by India. In February 2024, Muizzu said that all Indian troops should leave the Maldives before 10 May 2024. As of 10 May, all remaining Indian armed forces have left Maldives, which was confirmed by Heena Waleed, President's Office Chief Spokesperson.

Turkey

Further information: Maldives–Turkey relations

Muizzu meets with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Ankara, 27 November 2023

Muizzu visited Turkey and had multiple meetings and agreements with the Turkish Government. Muizzu also established Maldives Embassy in Ankara in 2023 to enhance bilateral relations and promote the political, economic and cultural ties between the two countries.

During Muizz's official visit to Turkey, Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Muizzu had official talks. During the official talks, President Erdoğan congratulated Muizzu on his election victory and being sworn in as the ninth president of Maldives. Following the official talks, the two leaders witnessed the signing of an “Agreement on Trade and Economic Cooperation Between the Government of the Maldives and the Government of Turkey”.

Economic policy

In January 2024, Muizzu decided to establish a development bank in the Maldives and undertake a review of the Economic Policies. Following the Cabinet discussion on a proposal submitted by the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, Muizzu decided to establish the Maldives International Financial Services Authority. Muizzu has also decided to form a creative economy in the Maldives.

In January 4, Muizzu launched a multimillion-dollar project to upgrade Velana International Airport to boost the capacity to 25 million passengers, which caused seaplane terminals to be relocated to Funadhoo for the project to continue.

During the presidential address in 2024, Muizzu announced that the construction of two new airports will be started. These projects aim to expand transportation services and boost the economy.

Mohamed Muizzu, Giving The Presidential Address 2024

The Cabinet

Muizzu's cabinet include 22 ministers..The posts were handed to politicians from different political parties. After his inauguration, Muizzu created two ministries - the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Welfare, and the Ministry of Cities, Local Government, and Public Works.

In the late November 2023, Muizzu submitted the names of the 22 Cabinet Ministers to Parliament for parliamentary approval. In January 2024, the parliament voted to deny approval to three cabinet Ministers, Attorney General Ahmed Usham, Islamic Minister Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed and Minister of Housing, Land and Urban Development, Dr. Ali Haidar Ahmed.

Muizzu Again Appointed the three cabinet Ministers, Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed was appointed as the Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dr. Ali Haidar Ahmed was appointed as the Minister of Housing, Land and Urban Development, and Uz. Ahmed Usham was appointed as the Attorney General.

Military

Muizzu is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Maldives. As the Commander, he has made an historical achievement to the Maldives National Defence Force in March 2024, launching Air Corp service, with the power to independently surveil Maldives’ Exclusive Economic Zone.

With the help of the Government of Turkey, Two Bayraktar TB2 drones were brought to the Maldives in March 2024. Muizzu also thanked Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for his continuous assistance in increasing the capabilities of Maldives' military.

Personal life

In an interview during Muizz's Election, Muizzu and First Lady Sajidha highlighted that they met on Ibrahim Nasir International Airport in April 2003, Before meeting, they kept chatting. Muizzu married Sajidha Mohamed on 18 May 2003; they have three children, Yasmine, Umair and Zaid.

A fan of football, Muizzu is a supporter of Lionel Messi. According to his family, Muizzu is a football player who in his young days, played football. Muizz's wife, Sajidha Mohamed said that Muizzu is a Messi and Manchester United F.C. Fan.

Electoral history

Awards and recognitions

Muizzu awarded by Maldives National Association of Construction Industry in 2023

On 24 December 2023, Maldives National Association of Construction Industry (MNACI) conferred the "Bodu Rasgefaanu" (lit. great king) title on Mohamed Muizzu, in appreciation of his contributions to the Maldives construction industry.

In 2013, then-minister Muizzu was presented with the Maldives National Award by president Mohamed Waheed Hassan for "Achieving the highest academic qualification in the Maldives.

Muizzu also earned his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in civil engineering and was given the "Dr" title in 2009.

• 22 August 2013: National Award.
• 24 December 2023: Bodu Rasgefaanu title.

See also

In Spanish: Mohamed Muizzu para niños

• Inauguration of Mohamed Muizzu
• Family of Mohamed Muizzu
• List of international presidential trips made by Mohamed Muizzu
• President of the Maldives
• Presidential election of Mohamed Muizzu