Sajidha Mohamed (/sɑːˈdʒiːdə/ saah-JEE-dah, Dhivehi: ސާޖިދާ މުޙައްމަދު;[1] born 6 August 1978) also known as Saaji, is a Maldivian civil servant and the current first lady of the Maldives since 2023 as the wife of President Mohamed Muizzu.
Sajidha Mohamed | |
---|---|
ސާޖިދާ މުޙައްމަދު | |
![]() Portrait, 2024 | |
First Lady of the Maldives | |
Assumed role 17 November 2023 | |
President | Mohamed Muizzu |
Preceded by | Fazna Ahmed |
Personal details | |
Born | Malé, Maldives | 6 August 1978
Political party | Congress |
Spouse | |
Children | |
Residence | Muliaage |
Alma mater | |
Signature | ![]() |
Born on Malé, Sajidha completed Master's degree in the University of Leeds with her husband in the United Kingdom. She completed her Bachelor’s degree in India in 2003. She worked as a civil servant at the Civil Service Commission of Maldives.[2]
Sajidha fervently advocated for her husband's bid in the 2023 presidential race, passionately delivering addresses to garner support. As the incumbent first lady, she has spearheaded numerous initiatives, including the launch of art showcases and the unveiling of significant monuments and several activities. Sajidha rarely gave interviews; However, when the stage was set for activities, she stepped forward, expressing her thoughts with the pulse of the activities.
Early life
editFamily, education and marriage
editSajidha Mohamed was born on 6 August 1978 in Malé, Kaafu Atoll.[3] as the daughter of well-known scholar, Sheikh Mohamed Ibrahim and Habeeba Ali. Sajidha's father, Sheikh Ibrahim was a scholar of religion.[4] Sajidha was born at her parents' residence at Machangoalhi, Malé. In 2003, She completed her Bachelor's degree in Bangalore, and a Master's degree in the University of Leeds while with Muizzu on the United Kingdom.[4]
In 2003, Mohamed met her now husband Mohamed Muizzu at the Ibrahim Nasir International Airport (Now Velana International Airport) after arriving from Bangalore.[4] they married on 18 May 2003; they have three children, Yasmine, Umair and Zaid.[5][6][7]
First Lady of the Maldives
editActivities
editOn December 2023, First Lady Sajidha inaugurated her first monument as first lady she inaugurated the "Dhon Bandaarain memorial exhibit", a special exhibition to commemorate Huravee Day in the Maldives.[8][9] Furthermore, Sajidha has inaugurated activities such as, inaugurating, special logo for home-based food producers which the logo aims to ensure food security and increase public confidence in safety by adhering to the standards of Maldives Food and Drug Authority.[10][11]
Foreign trips
editOn 26 November 2023, Sajidha and President Muizzu went on their first official trip to Turkey.[12][13][14] First Lady of Turkey, Emine Erdoğan met Sajidha and the Turkish first lady congratulated Sajidha Mohamed for Muizzu’s inauguration as Maldivian president on 17 November 2023 and making their first official trip to Türkiye.[15]
During the meeting with Emine Erdoğan, they discussed about "the zero Waste Project and steps for environmental conservation".[16]
Official trip to China
editOn January 7, Sajidha arrived in China on a invitation extended by President Xi Jinping and First Lady, Peng Liyuan.[17] Muizzu's presidential campaign was focused on reducing Indian influence in Maldivian affairs. Observers have described him as pro-China candidate.[18][19][20]
References
edit- ^ "The President and First Lady host the inaugural reception for visiting dignitaries". The President's Office. 17 November 2023. Retrieved 19 July 2024.
- ^ "ސާޖިދާއަށް ސިވިލް ސާވިސް ވަޒީފާގައި ހުންނެވޭނެ: ސީއެސްސީ" [Saajidha can stay at civil service: CSC]. Avas (in Divehi). 13 November 2023. Archived from the original on 13 November 2023. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
- ^ Gazzete of the Maldives. [PDF File] p.17 no.558
- ^ a b c Muizzu aai Saaji ge vaahaka [Interview with Muizzu and Saajidha] (in Divehi). Mihaaru Videos. 27 September 2023. Retrieved 19 July 2024 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Family of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu". President Muizzu. Blogspot. 31 December 2023. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
- ^ Hamdhoon, Ahmed (25 August 2023). "މުއިއްޒުގެ އެންމެ ބޮޑު ސަޕޯޓަރަކަށް އަނބިކަނބަލުން، މުޅިން ސަޕްރައިޒް!" [Muizzu's biggest supporter is his wife, saajidha!]. Mihaaru (in Divehi). Retrieved 8 April 2024.
- ^ "About Mohamed Muizz". President Muizzu. Blogspot. 8 December 2023. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
- ^ "The First Lady inaugurates the 'Dhon Bandaarain Handh'aanee Mauraz'". The President's Office. 17 December 2023. Archived from the original on 17 December 2023. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
- ^ "First Lady inaugurates Dhon Bandaarain memorial exhibit". Sun. Sun Siyam Media. 17 December 2023. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
- ^ "First Lady unveils the logo for the Home Based Food Producer". The President's Office. 19 February 2024. Archived from the original on 19 February 2024. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
- ^ Zalif, Zunana (19 February 2024). "FL Sajidha unveils special logo for home-based food producers". Raajje TV. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
- ^ "Muizzu and First Lady Arrive in Türkiye for Official Visit". MV+. 27 November 2023. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
- ^ Shahid, Malika (26 November 2023). "President Dr. Muizzu departs on first official visit to Turkey". The Edition. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
- ^ Banerjee, Aveek (28 November 2023). "Why did Maldives President Muizzu ditch India for Turkey on his first foreign visit?". India TV News. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
- ^ "Emine Erdoğan meets first ladies of Vietnam, Maldives". Daily Sabah. 30 November 2023. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
- ^ "First Lady Sajidha Signs 'Global Commitment to Zero Waste for the World, Our Common Home' a global Initiative led by the First Lady of Türkiye". The President's Office. 27 November 2023. Retrieved 19 July 2024.
- ^ "The President and First Lady to make a state visit to China". The President's Office. 4 January 2024. Retrieved 19 July 2024.
- ^ Macan-Markar, Marwaan (1 October 2023). "Maldives' Muizzu marches to victory on anti-India drumbeat". Nikkei Asia. Archived from the original on 11 November 2023. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
- ^ "Who is Mohamed Muizzu, Maldives's pro-China president-elect?". Al Jazeera. 1 October 2023. Archived from the original on 31 October 2023. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
- ^ "Pro-China candidate Mohamed Muizzu wins Maldives presidency, upending relationship with India". The Guardian. AFP. 1 October 2023. Archived from the original on 12 October 2023. Retrieved 11 November 2023.