Mohamed Amin Didi

Al Ameer Mohamed Ameen Dhoshimeynaa Kilegefaanu (Dhivehi: އަލްއަމީރު މުހައްމަދު އަމީން ދޮށިމޭނާ ކިލެގެފާނު) (July 20, 1910 – January 19, 1954), popularly known as Mohamed Ameen Didi was a Maldivian political figure. He served as the first president of the Maldives and as the head of government between January 1, 1953 and August 21, 1953. Ameen Didi was also the principal of Majeediyya School from 1946 to 1953. Amin Didi had one daughter, Ameena Ameen. His grandson Ameen Faisal was the former Minister of Defence and National Security of Maldives. His other grandchildren are Ibrahim Faisal, Farahanaz Faisal and Aishath Shuweykar.

Mohamed Amin Didi was the leader of the first political party in the Maldives, Rayyithunge Muthagaddim Party. He was well known for his efforts to modernize the country, which included the advancement of women, education in Maldives,^[1] nationalising the fish export industry and an unpopular ban on tobacco smoking.^[2]

President Ameen was the son of Athireegey Ahmed Dhoshimeynaa kilegefaan and Roanugey Aishath Didi. He was a descendant of the famous dynasty of Huraa, from his father's side. In 1920, he went abroad to Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) and studied in St. Josephs College. In 1928, he went to India for further studies and returned to Maldives one year later.

After returning to Maldives, he held many posts in the government such as the chief officer of Customs, head of the Maldivian Post Office, Minister of Trade and was also a member of the First Maldivian Parliament.

With the support of the people, he abolished the 812-year-old sultanate and became the first President of the Maldives on 1 January 1953, although he had always supported a constitutional monarchy.

After the death of Sultan Majeed Didi and his son Prince Hassan Fareed Didi, the members of the parliament elected Amin Didi as the next person in line to succeed the sultan. But Didi is known to have said: "for the sake of the people of Maldives I will not accept the crown and the throne". So, a referendum was held and Maldives became a republic. But the republic was short lived and a revolution was brought by the people of Male, while the President was in Ceylon for medical treatment. A period followed in which parts of the south broke and formed the short-lived United Suvadive Republic. The people of Male' appointed Velaanaagey Ibraahim Didi, the vice president of Amin as the head of the government. Amin Didi was not aware of these events which had taken place in his absence and he returned to the country ignorant of what had happened. As soon as Amin Didi returned, for his own safety he was taken to Dhoonidhoo island and was kept there under the government's supervision but was treated in the same manner as a head of state in the Maldives.

Four months after being taken to Dhoonidhoo, secret letters were exchanged between him and Ibrahim Hilmy Didi, to bring an end to this revolutionary government and to restore the monarchy, with Ibrahim Hilmy as the king and Amin Didi as the prime minister. One night Amin Didi arrived in Male and tried to take control of Bandeyrige enraging the people of male' so much that he was nearly beaten to death.^[3] After that, he was thrown into a small boat (bohkuraa) near Male'.

Later, the leaders of this small rebel group who wanted Mohanmed Amin as their leader were brought to court including Mohamed Amin Didi, Ibrahim Hilmy Didi and Shamsuddin Hilmy . These people were sentenced to exile.

Mohamed Amin was banished to Kaafu Atoll, Gaafaru, Ibraahim Hilmy was banished to K. Gulhi and Shamsuddin Hilmy was banished to K. Himmafushi.

As the former president's health deteriorated, he was brought to Vihamanafushi Island (now Kurumbaa village), where he died on 19 January 1954. A small funeral was held at Vihamanaa Fushi.

He is still honoured by the citizens of his country even today for being the first president of Maldives and for introducing democracy. He is also admired by a lot of citizens in Maldives along with his large family.^[4]

Genealogy

References

Heads of state of the Maldives since 1952
First Republic, 1952–1954	Mohamed Amin Didi Ibrahim Muhammad Didi
Sultanate, 1954–1968	Muhammad Fareed Didi
Second Republic, 1968–	Ibrahim Nasir Maumoon Abdul Gayoom Mohamed Nasheed Mohammed Waheed Hassan Abdulla Yameen