Mohamed amin didi biography template
1952 Maldivian constitutional referendum
A constitutional referendum was held in the Maldives on 17 and 18 April 1952. The new constitution would convert the country from a monarchy to a republic.
Background
After the death of Sultan Abdul Majeed Didi on 21 February 1952, the members of the country's parliament chose Mohamed Amin Didi to be the next Sultan. However, he stated that "for the sake of the people of Maldives I would not accept the crown and the throne".
The People's Majlis voted on 13 April to form a commission with Amin Didi as its chairman to determine the country's future governance structure. Other members included Famuladeyri Kaleygefan, Chief JusticeAbdullah Jalaludeen, Majlis Speaker Malim Moosa Mafaiy Kilegefan, Deputy Vazirul-Auzam Ibrahim Mohamed Didi, Kolhumadulu Atoll MP Ibrahim Shihab, Galolhu MP Bucha Hassan Kaleygefan and Faadhippolhu Atoll chief Kaannaa Kaleygefan. On 16 April, the People's Majlis affirmed the commission's decision to form a republic, and to hold a referendum on a new constitution over the following two days. However, the referendum would only be held in Malé.
Results
The results of the referendum were announced at 16:00 on 18 April. A large majority had voted in favour, and the new constitution came into force on 1 January 1953. Didi became the country's first President after winning almost 96% of the vote in an election. However, he was overthrown on 21 August that year. Following a referendum in the same month, the country reverted to monarchy status on 7 March 1954, with Muhammad Fareed Didi as sultan.
In 1968 a third referendum on the issue was held, resulting in the country becoming a republic for the second time.
References
Mohamed Amin Didi
"Mohamed Ameen" redirects here. For other uses, see Mohamed Ameen (disambiguation).
1st president of the Maldives
Sumuvvul Ameer Mohamed Amin Dhoshimeynaa Kilegefaanu (Dhivehi: ސުމުއްވުލް އަމީރު މުހައްމަދު އަމީން ދޮށިމޭނާ ކިލެގެފާނު; July 20, 1910 – January 19, 1954), popularly known as Mohamed Amin Didi, was a Maldivian politician who served as the first president of the Maldives and as the head of government between January 1, 1953, and August 21, 1953. Amin Didi was also the principal of Majeedhiyya School from 1946 to 1953.
Amin Didi was the leader of the first political party in the Maldives, Rayyithunge Muthagaddim Party. His political program included efforts to modernize the country, including the advancement of women, education in the Maldives, nationalising the fish export industry and an unpopular ban on tobacco smoking.
Amin Didi took office during post World War II period, a time when the country was in widespread famine and exhausted resources.
Early life
Amin was the son of Athireegey Ahmed Dhoshimeynaa kilegefaan and Roanugey Aishath Didi. He was a descendant of the Huraa Dynasty, from his father's side. In 1920, he went abroad to Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) and studied in Saint Joseph's College, Colombo. In 1928, he went to India for further studies in Aligarh Muslim University, returning to the Maldives one year later. His wife was Fathimath Saeed, and his only child was Annabeela Ameena Mohamed Amin
Premiership
He was appointed as the Prime Minister on 1 January 1947 and left on 2 September 1953. During his time as Prime Minister, he wrote a promotional booklet titled ‘Ladies and Gentlemen: The Maldive Islands’, which provided foreigners information about the life, culture and economy about the Maldives.
Politics
In 1931, Amin was appointed to the Constituent Assembly convened by Sultan Muham
The transition from the old, established monarchy to a republican form of government in 1953 was not due to public dissatisfaction or social unrest. It was the result of gradual changes brought about under the vision and planning of the political elite of the time. In the course of these changes, the powers and principles of the monarchy were gradually eroded, paving the way for the obsolescence of the system.
H.C.P. Bell, who studied Maldivian history, states in his book 'The Maldives: 1920': "For many centuries past, and probably from the earliest days, the form of government which has ruled at the Maldives has been to a considerable degree that of a constitutional monarchy." The constitutional monarchy Bell refers to was not based on a written constitution as we see today, but was a system based on ancient customs and traditions.
The first written constitution in the Maldives was drafted and implemented 92 years ago, on 22 December 1932. At that time, the 10th king of the Huraa dynasty, Sultan Mohamed Shamsuddin III, was on the throne. It could be said that the 1932 constitution marked the beginning of the end of the long-standing monarchy in the Maldives. This constitution was not the result of the people rising up and demanding their rights. The rights and other matters outlined in that constitution were very alien to Maldivian society at that time. The constitution was formulated as a result of unrest between the then reigning Sultan Mohamed Shamsuddin and the political leaders of the time.
The first constitution, implemented in 1932, was 'torn up' and ended soon after, also due to conflicts between the king and the political leaders. A new constitution was drafted in 1934. However, tensions
Words by Daniel Bosley; Pictures by Aishath Naj
Even the Maldives’ relatively recent past is often shrouded in mystery, with hearsay and history inextricably melded into what will probably have to remain categorised as ‘stories’.
The name of Hakeem Didi is one that remains relevant today, as the last man to be executed in the country, in 1953. More than most, however, his reputation as one of the Maldives best known practitioners of traditional magic (fanditha) has raised his name to legendary status.
Having spent time on Hakeem Didi’s home island of Gaafu Alif Nilandhoo, we found some new details and old disagreements about his life. Rumours and reality continue to rub shoulders in the gloom.
This fictional account of Hakeem Didi’s final days presents just a version of events, and is based on conversations with his friends and family members, as well as on an article from the always-excellent maldivesculture.com.
Hakeem Didi jumped up from the holhuashi with a start, and peered out over the reef at the small boat making its way across the lagoon.
His fellow islanders, reclining in the mid-morning sun by the jetty area of Nilandhoo, eyed their neighbour warily. Talk of politics, fish, and women were interrupted as they watched the famous fanditha man.
“They’ve come for me,” mumbled Hakeem Didi, to no one in particular.
Squinting in the bright sun, he pulled out a handkerchief from his side and flicked it dramatically in the air three times while his fellow islanders gazed on. When finished, he returned his stare to the dinghy, hoping his efforts might be rewarded.
The wind over Huvadhu’s lagoon seemed to grow in strength, a large cloud cast a grey pall over the island. All eyes turned towards the reef and the small boat began to rock violently on the water, rolling up and over the dark waves.
Just as it neared the broad expanse of turquoise over the shallow approach to the island, a huge wave appeared, obscuring the tiny craft from the