Fathulla Jameel, NIIV (Dhivehi: ފަތުހުﷲ ޖަމީލް; 5 September 1942 – 1 March 2012) was a Maldivian diplomat and politician who served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Maldives from 1978 to 2005.[1]
Fathulla Jameel | |
|---|---|
ފަތުހުﷲ ޖަމީލް | |
 | |
| Minister of Foreign Affairs | |
| In office 14 March 1978 – 14 July 2005 | |
| President | Ibrahim Nasir Maumoon Abdul Gayoom |
| Preceded by | Ahmed Zaki |
| Succeeded by | Dr. Ahmed Shaheed |
| Permanent Representative of the Maldives to the United Nations | |
| In office 14 April 1977 – 1978 | |
| Preceded by | Maumoon Abdul Gayoom |
| Succeeded by | Ahmed Zaki |
| Senior Minister | |
| In office 30 April 2008 – 11 November 2008 | |
| President | Maumoon Abdul Gayoom |
| Preceded by | Position created |
| Succeeded by | Position abolished |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 5, 1942 |
| Died | March 1, 2012 Singapore General Hospital |
| Parent | Muhammad Jameel Didi |
Jameel was the Permanent Representative of the Maldives to the United Nations from April 14, 1977 to 1978.[2] He became Minister of Foreign Affairs on March 14, 1978 and, under President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, held that position for 27 years. On July 14, 2005, he resigned as Minister of Foreign Affairs and was instead appointed as a Special Advisor to the President. On April 30, 2008 he was sworn into the position of senior minister, a relatively new post created by the then incumbent president Gayoom.[3][4]
Early Career and Government Service
editFathulla began his public service career on the 18th of November 1969, as a teacher at Majeediyya School. He became the Minister of External Affairs during the presidency of Ibrahim Nasir, on 14 March 1978.[5]
When Maumoon Abdul Gayoom became President, Fathulla was reappointed as Minister of External Affairs towards the end of 1978.[6] He remained at that position until his resignation in July 2005.[6] After resignation, he served as Special Advisor to the President.[3][4]
In an obituary, Haveeru Daily described him as the father of Maldives foreign diplomacy.[7]
Fatuhulla also served as Minister of State for Planning and Environment at one time. He also was the President’s Member at the People’s Majlis for a long time.[8]
Education and life in Egypt
editFathulla Jameel studied in Al-Azhar University of Egypt and obtained a BA in Islamic Theology. He later attended a postgraduate teacher training course at Ain Shams University.
He was interviewed by Egyptian writer journalist Anis Mansour, after the editor of than famous Al Hilal magazine editor scholar Dr. Hussain Mu'nis suggested that Mr. Mansour interview Maldivian students, for his book حول العالم في 200 يوم (my journey around the world in 200 days). According to Mr. Mansour, Fathulla said that his dream was to become a teacher in a school upon his return, the highest and most prestigious job available than in the Maldives. In Egypt he stayed with his friends, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and Zahir Hussain, at a Maldivian government leased flat, in the Al-Hilmiyyaa area of Cairo.
Fathulla was the second generation to study in Egypt. Before him his father, Mr. Muhammad Jameel Didi studied in Egypt during King Fuad and Farooq's reign.[9]
He obtained his primary, secondary and tertiary education in Egypt at Mauhadhul Qahira in Dharraasa ward.
Peers described him as an intelligent person and his many skills include drawing, singing and playing guitar and was known to crack jokes that go along with the occasion.[10]
Fathulla was an avid supporter of Egyptian Zamalek SC Football Club and he named his residence after the Club Zamalek.
Death
editFathulla Jameel died on Thursday, March 1, 2012 at MVT 8:15 (UTC) at Singapore General Hospital from heart disease. He was 69. Maldives President Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik sent his condolences for the family and declared the national flag to be flown at half mast for three days.[6][11]
Quotes on Fathulla
edit- "those were difficult days and we were able to build a good relation with other countries because of Fathulla"; Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.[10]
- "Maldives has not witnessed such an intelligent personality"; he carries a political weight" Dr. Ahmed Shaheed.
- "we did not had a law on foreign relations then and Fathulla was the law than"; Abdul Azeez Yusuf, the then Maldives High Commissioner in New Delhi.[9]
References
edit- ^ "Former Ministers". Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Maldives). Retrieved 24 June 2024.
- ^ "Former Representatives". Permanent Mission of the Republic of Maldives to the United Nations. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
- ^ a b "The President accepts the resignation of Mr. Fathulla Jameel, Mr. Abdulla Hameed and Mr. Umar Zahir, from the portfolios of Foreign Affairs, Atolls Development and Home Affairs, respectively"[permanent dead link], The President's Office, Maldives (maldiveshighcom.lk), July 14, 2005.
- ^ a b "The President appoints Mr. Fathulla Jameel as Senior Minister". Department of Information. Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture. 4 May 2008. Archived from the original on 25 October 2023. Retrieved 2023-10-25.
- ^ "About Ministry". Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Maldives). Archived from the original on 19 October 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
- ^ a b c "President sends condolences following the death of former Foreign Minister Fathuhulla Jameel". The President's Office. 1 March 2012. Archived from the original on 25 October 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
- ^ "ފަތުހުﷲ ޖަމީލް- ރާއްޖޭގެ ޚާރިޖީ ސިޔާސަތުގެ ބައްޕަ" [Fathulla Jameel - Father of the Maldives' foreign diplomacy]. Haveeru Daily (in Divehi). 3 March 2012. Archived from the original on 5 March 2012.
- ^ Former Foreign Minister Fatuhullah passes away[permanent dead link], Sun.mv.
- ^ a b Latheef, Moosa (2 March 2012). "ފަތުހުﷲ: ރާއްޖެ ދުށް ވިސްނުން ތޫނު ލީޑަރެއް" [Fathulla: an Intelligent Maldivian leader]. Haveeru Daily (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 4 March 2012.
- ^ a b Hamdhoon, Ahmed (3 March 2012). "ގެއްލިގެން ދިޔައީ އަޅުގަނޑުގެ ގާތް ކޮއްކޮއެއް ފަދަ ބޭފުޅެއް: މައުމޫން" [I lost a younger brother: Maumoon]. Haveeru Daily (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 5 March 2012.
- ^ "National Flag to be flown at half-mast following passing away of Fathulla Jameel". The President's Office. 1 March 2012. Archived from the original on 25 October 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2023.