Zahiya Zareer, (Dhivehi: ޒާހިޔާ ޒަރީރު; born 30 December 1959) is a Maldivian politician and former teacher; she is Ambassador-at-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Government of the Maldives and was formerly High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, after held two ministerial government offices.

Zahiya Zareer
ޒާހިޔާ ޒަރީރު
Zareer in 2017
Ambassador of the Maldives to Sri Lanka
In office
19 May 2014 – 13 August 2017
PresidentAbdulla Yameen
Minister of Education
In office
2005–2008
PresidentMaumoon Abdul Gayoom
Minister of Gender
In office
2004–2005
PresidentMaumoon Abdul Gayoom
Personal details
Born30 December 1959
NationalityMaldivian
Parent(s)Hassan Zareer (father)
Fathimath Jameel (mother)
OccupationAmbassador-at-Large

Career

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Zareer began work in 1983, working for the Maldivian government.[1] Her first role was as an English language teacher, from which she worked to become the Minister of Education from 2005 to 2008.[1] From 2004 to 2005 she held the post of Minister of Gender, Family Development & Social Security.[1][2] During her time as Minister for Education, almost half of Maldivian teachers went on strike.[3] She also established Teacher Resource Centres, which were designed to enable a greater number of teachers to access professional development for child-centred active learning.[4]

On 13 February 2014, Zareer was appointed by President Abdulla Yameen as High Commissioner to Sri Lanka.[5][6] She presented her credentials to the President of Sri Lanka in June 2014.[7] During her time in Sri Lanka, the Maldives declared its withdrawal from the Commonwealth.[8] As a result of this move, Zareer's title changed to Ambassador.[9] During her time in Sri Lanka, she was involved in a diplomatic dispute after a 'bomb plot suspect' was expelled from the country.[10] On 13 August 2017, the Maldivian government dismissed her from the post.[9] She was then appointed Ambassador-at-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Government of the Maldives.[1][11]

Zareer is also an expert in Divehi.[12]

Personal life

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Zareer is married and has one son and one daughter; her hobbies include reading, writing poetry and gardening.[13] Her father was Hassan Zareer,[14] former Vice President and cabinet minister, and her mother, Fathimath Jameel, worked at the Department of Women’s Affairs.[13]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Ambassador at Large Zahiya Zareer shares main lessons from her career - MFA". Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 28 September 2017. Archived from the original on 26 October 2020. Retrieved 2020-10-23.
  2. ^ Turner, Barry, ed. (7 February 2017). The Statesman's Yearbook 2006: The Politics, Cultures and Economies of the World. New York: Palgrave Macmillan UK. p. 1107. ISBN 978-0-230-27134-0. OCLC 971891473.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  3. ^ Lang, Olivia (1 July 2008). "Maldives teachers strike over pay". BBC News. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
  4. ^ "Teacher resource centres launched in the Maldives". UNICEF. 26 November 2007. Archived from the original on 16 March 2008. Retrieved 2020-10-23.
  5. ^ "President nominates Zahiya Zareer for High Commissioner to Sri Lanka". The President's Office. 13 February 2014. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
  6. ^ "High Commissioner Zahiya Zareer meets with the CEO of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce". High Commission of the Maldives, Colombo. Archived from the original on 27 October 2020. Retrieved 2020-10-23.
  7. ^ "New high commissioners and ambassadors present credentials to the President". News First. 1 July 2014. Archived from the original on 17 July 2018. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  8. ^ "Maldives leaves Commonwealth amid democracy row". BBC News. 13 October 2016. Retrieved 2020-10-23.
  9. ^ a b Shaahunaz, Fathmath (13 August 2017). "Govt to dismiss Maldivian ambassador to Sri Lanka". The Edition. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
  10. ^ "Expulsion of 'bomb plot suspect' from Sri Lanka sparks diplomatic row". Maldives Independent. 8 November 2015. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
  11. ^ Rasheed, Rushdha (20 December 2017). "Zahiya Zareer appointed as Ambassador at Large at MoFA". Raajje TV. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
  12. ^ Mohamed, Naseema (1999). Divehi writing systems. Male': National Centre for Linguistic and Historical Research. ISBN 99915-71-91-4. OCLC 50912959.
  13. ^ a b Jayawardana, Ruwini (22 June 2016). "Thumb through leisure". Daily News. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
  14. ^ Mohamed, Shahudha (5 April 2020). "Feminist icon Fathimath Jameel passes away aged 82". The Edition. Retrieved 4 May 2024.