21 Facts About Ibrahim Nasir

Ibrahim Nasir adhered to the non-aligned ideology and was a staunch anti-imperialist.

Ibrahim Nasir is remembered as an independence hero for guiding the Maldives to independence from the British Empire, he is credited for establishing the tourism industry in the Maldives, as well as rapidly modernizing and developing the country and economy.

Ibrahim Nasir was born on 2 September 1926 in Fuvahmulah, Maldives, to Ahmad Didi of Velaanaage from Male' and Nayaage Aishath Didi from Fuvahmulah.

Ibrahim Nasir is descended from the royal houses Huraa from his paternal side and Dhiyamigili from his maternal side.

Ibrahim Nasir would spend his childhood in Fuvahmulah, after which Ibrahim Nasir's family moved to Male, where he began studying and attended Madharusathul Salahiyya, which later became Majeediyya School in 1969.

Ibrahim Nasir served as the prime minister under the reign of Muhammad Fareed Didi from 12 December 1957, until the former was sworn in as the first President of the Second Republic of Maldives.

Ibrahim Nasir was the Minister of Finance from December 1957 to November 1968.

Ibrahim Nasir was keen on expelling the British from RAF Gan and seeking independence from them.

Ibrahim Nasir did not want to give this base to the Soviets who contacted him about it later during his presidency.

Ibrahim Nasir declined this invitation due to Ibrahim Nasir seeing the Commonwealth as being an organization under the British Empire.

Less than two months after securing independence, Ibrahim Nasir secured membership in the United Nations on 21 September 1965, against the opposition of countries that did not feel that the UN was the place for small states.

Ibrahim Nasir was sworn in as the second President of the independent Republic of Maldives on 11 November 1968.

Ibrahim Nasir was credited with many other improvements such as introducing an English-based modern curriculum to government-run schools.

Ibrahim Nasir brought television and radio to the country with formation of Television Maldives and Radio Maldives for broadcasting radio signals nationwide.

Ibrahim Nasir abolished Vaaru, a tax on the people living on islands outside Male, as well as many other taxes on various imports to the country, some of which have been since reinstated.

When Ibrahim Nasir relinquished power, Maldives was debt-free to the international community, and corruption was effectively under control.

Ibrahim Nasir's tenure was characterized by significant progress in the country's industrial and economic sector, while heavily modernizing and industrialising the country.

The United Suvadive Republic had the backing of the British, however they changed their stance after Ibrahim Nasir sent gunboats from Male, and Abdullah Afeef went into exile, which culminated in the controversial event of depopulation of Havaru Thinadhoo.

Ibrahim Nasir was succeeded by President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom who was then Minister of Transport and former permanent representative of the Maldives to the United States.

Ibrahim Nasir was widely criticized during the Gayoom administration, especially during the early days of Gayoom's presidency.

On 22 November 2008, at the age of 82, Ibrahim Nasir died at Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore.