Mohamed Nasheed

Quick Facts: Who was Mohamed Nasheed?

Subject:

Mohamed Nasheed

Known for:

Maldivian politician, first democratically elected president, and activist for democracy.

Born:

1967-05-17

Century / Era:

1967s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Mohamed Nasheed (Dhivehi: މުހައްމަދު ނަޝީދު; born 17 May 1967), also known as Anni (Dhivehi: އަންނި), is a Maldivian politician and activist who served as the fourth president of the Maldives from 2008 until his controversial resignation in 2012. A founding member of the Maldivian Democratic Party, he subsequently served as the 19th speaker of the People's Majlis from 2019 until his resignation in 2023. He is the first democratically elected president of the Maldives and the only president to resign from office. Born in Malé, Nasheed was educated overseas before returning to the Maldives and becoming involved in political activism. He was first elected to Parliament in 1999 but was later removed from office, and was arrested and imprisoned several times during his early career.

Career & Major Achievements

His arrest in 2005 prompted civil unrest. In the first round of the 2008 presidential election, he won 25% of the votes and later defeated incumbent President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. As the President, Nasheed played a role in drawing international attention to the threat of climate change to the Maldives. His government focused on anti-corruption measures, free healthcare, political and press freedom. On 7 February 2012, Nasheed resigned amidst a political crisis.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Protests by the opposition began after he allegedly ordered the arrest of Criminal Court Chief Judge Abdulla Mohamed. Nasheed characterised the circumstances of his resignation as a coup d'état. His successor, Mohamed Waheed Hassan, disputed this, saying the process was constitutional, which a Commission of National Inquiry confirmed. Nasheed unsuccessfully ran for the presidency in 2013. In 2015, Nasheed was convicted under the Anti-Terrorism Act for ordering the arrest of Mohamed and sentenced to 13 years at Maafushi Prison.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1967 (1967-05-17): Birth of Mohamed Nasheed — Maldivian politician, first democratically elected president, and activist for democracy.
2. 1999: 1999 Milestone — He was first elected to Parliament in 1999 but was later removed from office, and was arrested and imprisoned several times during his early career.
3. 2005: 2005 Milestone — His arrest in 2005 prompted civil unrest.
4. 2008: 2008 Milestone — In the first round of the 2008 presidential election, he won 25% of the votes and later defeated incumbent President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.
5. 2012: 2012 Milestone — On 7 February 2012, Nasheed resigned amidst a political crisis.
6. 2013: 2013 Milestone — Nasheed unsuccessfully ran for the presidency in 2013.
7. 2015: 2015 Milestone — In 2015, Nasheed was convicted under the Anti-Terrorism Act for ordering the arrest of Mohamed and sentenced to 13 years at Maafushi Prison.
8. 2019: 2019 Milestone — A founding member of the Maldivian Democratic Party, he subsequently served as the 19th speaker of the People's Majlis from 2019 until his resignation in 2023.

Notable Quotes by Mohamed Nasheed

“The Maldives is on the front line of climate change; we must act now to save our islands.” (2008)

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Mohamed Nasheed

True or False: “Mohamed Nasheed was never arrested or imprisoned during his early political career in the Maldives.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): He was arrested multiple times, notably in 1990 and 1994, leading to periods of detention.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Akshay Kumar — Contemporary (Born in 1967) (1967): Veteran Indian actor and producer, celebrated for action roles and prolific career.
• Albert Luthuli — Contemporary (Died in 1967) (1967): Pioneering anti-apartheid activist and leader of the ANC in South Africa.
• Aleksandr Karelin — Contemporary (Born in 1967) (1967): Dominant Greco-Roman wrestler, nicknamed the "Russian Bear", celebrated for unmatched Olympic success.
• Alan Kay — Shared historical date (05-17 · Born) (1940): Pioneer of GUI, Object-Oriented Programming, and modern computing paradigms.
• Albert, Duke of Prussia — Shared historical date (05-17 · Born) (1490): First secular ruler of the Duchy of Prussia and key figure in early Lutheranism.
• Anderson Cooper — Historical peer (Born in 1967) (1967): Veteran broadcast journalist and political commentator, known for on-the-ground reporting.
• Anna Nicole Smith — Historical peer (Born in 1967) (1967): American model and television personality known for her high-profile life and legal battles.
• Ahn Jae-hwan — Historical peer (Died in 2008) (2008): South Korean actor known for roles in films like Beautiful Temptation and Show Show Show.
• Aimé Césaire — Historical peer (Died in 2008) (2008): Afro-Martinican poet, politician, and founder of the Négritude movement.
• Adam Yauch — Historical peer (Died in 2012) (2012): Founding member of Beastie Boys; influential rapper, filmmaker, and Tibetan activist.
• 1967 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1967
• May 17 (05-17) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on May 17

Frequently Asked Questions about Mohamed Nasheed