Maumoon Abdul Gayoom

Maumoon Abdul Gayoom was a major political leader in the Maldives.

He served as the third president of the nation from 1978 to 2008. This long period makes him the longest-serving president in Maldivian history. He was born Abdulla Maumoon Khairi on December 29, 1937, in Malé. A clerical error on a passport later changed his name to Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. He was the tenth child of Abdul Gayoom Ibrahim. His father was a lawyer and the seventh Attorney General of the Maldives.

Gayoom's education was a central part of his early life. He began with homeschooling from his father, a scholar. He later attended Saniyya School to study religion and mathematics. In 1947, a government scholarship allowed him to study abroad. He spent time in Ceylon, which is now Sri Lanka. There, he studied English at Royal College in Colombo. In 1950, he moved to Cairo, Egypt, to attend Al-Azhar University. He earned bachelor's and master's degrees in Islamic Sharia and Law. He also studied at the American University in Cairo.

Before becoming president, Gayoom held several different roles. He worked as a lecturer at Ahmadu Bello University in Nigeria. When he returned to the Maldives in 1971, he taught at Aminiya School. He later managed a government shipping department. His career included serving as the deputy ambassador to Sri Lanka. He also served as the Permanent Representative to the United Nations. By 1977, he was the Minister of Transport. In this role, he worked to improve aviation and engine-powered boats.

His path to power included periods of conflict with the government. In 1973, he was placed under house arrest for criticizing President Nasir. He was banished to Makunudhoo for four years. However, he was released after five months due to an amnesty. In 1974, he was arrested again for his political criticisms. He spent 50 days in jail before being freed. These events happened while the country was trying to expand tourism. After his release, he moved into higher government positions.

Gayoom won the presidency through a series of elections. In 1978, he won a referendum with 92.96% of the vote. He was then re-elected several times over the next two decades. In 1983, he received 95.62% of the votes. In 1988, he won with 96.47% of the vote. His fifth term began in 1998 after receiving 90.90% of the votes. His sixth term in 2003 was secured with 90.28% of the ballots.

His administration focused on changing the country's economy and society. He prioritized infrastructure and the tourism industry. This helped the nation's economic growth significantly. He also introduced reforms to expand primary and secondary education. New health facilities were built to improve healthcare access. He even moved the country toward a semi-presidential system. This change was intended to increase political participation. However, he faced criticism for restricting political freedoms.

Several major events tested his leadership during his thirty years in power. In 1988, a coup attempt occurred. This event led to a focus on strengthening the armed forces. In 2004, a massive tsunami hit the Maldives. This disaster was devastating for the nation. It caused the loss of 62% of the GDP. It also wiped out nearly two decades of development. His government had to focus on extensive reconstruction efforts.

Gayoom's political era ended with a shift toward multi-party democracy. In 2008, he lost the presidential election to Mohamed Nasheed. This was the first multi-party election in Maldivian history. Later, in 2018, he faced legal challenges during a political crisis. He was arrested on charges of conspiring to overthrow the government. He was sentenced to 19 months in prison for obstructing justice. However, he was acquitted of all charges in October 2018.