Ibrahim Nasir

Al Ameer Ibrahim Nasir Rannabandeyri Kilegefan (إبراهيم ناصر; އިބްރާހިމް ނާޞިރު ރަންނަބަނޑޭރި ކިލޭގެފާނު), KCMG, NGIV (Nishan Ghaazeege 'Izzatheri Veriya, ނިޝާން ޣާޒީގެ ޢިއްޒަތްތެރި ވެރިޔާ) commonly known as Ibrahim Nasir (2 September 1926 – 22 November 2008), was a Maldivian politician adhering to the non-aligned ideology.

Ibrahim Nasir was born on 2 September 1926 in Fuvahmulah, Maldives.

Ahmad Didi of Velaanaage from Male' and Nayaage Aishath Didi from Fuvahmulah.

Nasir is descended from the royal houses Huraa from his paternal side and Dhiyamigili from his maternal side.

Nasir's mother, Aishath Didi, was the daughter of Moosa Didi, son of Dhadimagu Ganduvaru Maryam Didi, daughter of Hussain Didi, son of Al-Nabeel Karayye Hassan Didi, son of Prince Ibrahim Faamuladheyri Kilegefan, son of Sultan Muhammed Ghiya'as ud-din, son of Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar II, son of Sultan Muhammad Imaduddin II of the Dhiyamigili dynasty.

Nasir was married three times and had five children.

His first wife was Aisha Zubair (Tuttudon Goma), whom he married in 1950.

They had a son named Ahmed Nasir.

In 1953, he married Mariyam Saeeda Didi, with whom he had two sons, Ali Nasir and Mohamed Nasir.

Nasir served as the Prime Minister of the Maldives from 1957 to 1968 under the monarchy, and later the first President of the Second Republic of Maldives from 1968 to 1978.

Nasir served two terms (one term consisting of 5 years), then he decided to retire, even though the People's Majlis voted him in for a third term.

Nasir is remembered as an independence hero for guiding the Maldives to independence from the British Empire, he is also credited for establishing the tourism industry in the Maldives, as well as rapidly modernizing and developing the country and economy.

Ibrahim Nasir served as the prime minister under the reign of Muhammad Fareed Didi from 12 December, 1957, until the former was sworn in as the first President of the Second Republic of Maldives.

He was also the minister of finance from December 1957 to November 1968.

Nasir favoured neutrality during his premiership and later presidency.

Nasir was keen on expelling the British from RAF Gan and seeking independence from them.

Nasir also did not want to give this base to the Soviets who contacted him about it later during his presidency.

The tourism industry began to develop during Nasir's tenure when the government at the time made efforts to diversify the economy beyond fishing and agriculture, Nasir believed the revenue would help boost the economy and modernize the country.

Although the United Nations mission at the time advised against it.

Less than two months after securing independence, Nasir secured membership in the United Nations on September 21, 1965 against the opposition of countries that did not feel that the UN was the place for small states.

The Maldives was the first state of its size (a population less than 80,000 in 1965) to be admitted to the UN.

Small states that had long been independent such as San Marino and Monaco and they were not admitted to become members of the UN.

Western Samoa which became independent only a few years prior to the Maldivian independence also was not admitted to the UN.

The flag of the Maldives was raised at the UN headquarters on October 12, 1965.

His tenure was characterized by significant progress in the country's industrial and economic sector, while also heavily modernizing and industrialising the country.

Ibrahim Nasir was sworn in as the second President of the independent Republic of Maldives on 11 November 1968.

Nasir pursued a non-aligned policy as president.

His foreign policy involved establishing and maintaining positive relations with nations around the globe, Nasir believed that investing into tourism would both help the development of the country as well as further his foreign policy.

In 1969 Nasir married Naseema Mohamed Kaleyfan, with whom he had a son and a daughter, Ismail Nasir and Aishath Nasir, respectively.

However in 1972, the first resort, Kurumba Island Resort was opened, the second resort Bandos Island Resort was personally developed and opened by Nasir, and he also personally set-up the first tourist agency known as "Crescent Tourist Agency".

Ever since tourism has flourished and become the most important industry in the Maldives.

During the 50 Golden Year of Tourism anniversary event in 2022, Nasir was awarded a special award (accepted by the Nasir family) and recognition for his part in founding the tourism industry in the Maldives.

In 1976, the Maldives officially joined the Non-Aligned Movement.

He was credited with many other improvements such as introducing an English-based modern curriculum to government-run schools.

He brought television and radio to the country with formation of Television Maldives and Radio Maldives for broadcasting radio signals nationwide.

He abolished Vaaru, a tax on the people living on islands outside Malé, as well as many other taxes on various imports to the country, some of which have been since reinstated.

When Nasir relinquished power, Maldives was debt-free to the international community, and corruption was effectively under control.

Under his watch, the national shipping line with more than 40 ships that were plying the oceans of the world remained a source of national pride for Maldivians.

It was a remarkable success story among the maritime nations of South Asia.

Nasir is considered the independence hero of the Maldives, after the end of protectorate by the British Empire which happened during his presidency.