Mohamed Amin Didi

Mohamed Amin Didi
President Mohamed Amin Didi
1st President of the Maldives
In office January 1, 1953 – August 21, 1953
Vice President	Ibrahim Muhammad Didi
Preceded by	Office Created
Succeeded by	Ibrahim Muhammad Didi (Acting) Office Abolished Maldives Sultanate (Muhammad Fareed Didi)
Personal details
Born	20 July 1910 Athireege
Died	19 January 1954 (aged 43) Vihamanaafushi Island
Nationality	Maldivian
Political party	Peoples Progress Party
Spouse(s)	Fathimath Saeedh
Religion	Islam

Al Ameer Mohamed Amin Dhoshimeynaa Kilegefaanu (Dhivehi: އަލްއަމީރު މުހައްމަދު އަމީން ދޮށިމޭނާ ކިލެގެފާނު) (July 20, 1910 - January 19, 1954), popularly known as Mohamed Amin 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. Amin Didi was also the principal of Majeediyya School from 1946 to 1953. Amin Didi has one daughter, Ameena Ameen. His grandson Ameen Faisal is now the Minister of Defence and Security in 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 and of education in Maldives^[1].

President Amin 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 Ceylone (now Sri Lanka) and studied in St. Josephs College. In 1928, he went to India to study more and returned to Maldives in 1929.

After returning from abroad, he held many posts in the government like the chief officer of customs, head of the Maldivian Post Office, Minister of trade, member of the First Maldivian Parliament.

With the support of the people, he abolished the 812 years old sultanate and became the first president of the Maldives on 1 January 1953. He always supported a constitutional Monarchy.

After the death of Sultan Majeed Didi and his son Prince Hassan Fareed Didi, the members of the parliament chose Amin Didi to be the next person who is capable to be as sultan. But Didi stood up and shouted "for the sake of the people of Maldives I would 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.

People of Male' appointed Velaanaagey Ibaraahim Didi, the vice president of Amin as the head of the government. Mr 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 with high quality services, the same as for the President.

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. And one night Amin Didi came to Male and tried to take control of badeyrige. People were so angry that he was nearly beaten to death. Then 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 Didi. These three people were sentenced to exile for life.

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). On 19 January 1954, the first president of Maldives, a leader who tried his best to modernise his country died. A small funeral was held on Vihamanaa Fushi.

He is still honoured by the citizens of his country even today for being the first president of Maldives and for making the democracy to come alive in this little country. He is also admired by a lot of citizens in Maldives along with his large family^[2].

Genealogy

Ibrahim Dhoshimeynaa Kilege Faan

Mariyam Didi

Roanuge' Ibrahim Didi

unknown

Ahmed Dhoshimeynaa Kilege Faan

Roanuge' Aishaa Didi

Mohamed Amin Didi

Preceded by —

President of the Maldives January 1, 1953 – August 21, 1953

Succeeded by Sultan Muhammad Fareed Didi

References

1. ^ Xavier Romero-Frias, The Maldive Islanders, A Study of the Popular Culture of an Ancient Ocean Kingdom. Barcelona 1999, ISBN 8472548015
2. ^ Aaminath Faaiza, Daisymaage, Ameenuge Ha'ndhaan, Male' 1997

Persondata
Name	Amin Didi, Mohamed
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	July 20, 1910
Place of birth	Athireege
Date of death	January 19, 1954
Place of death	Vihamanaafushi Island