Zahiya Zareer
Zahiya Zareer | |
|---|---|
ޒާހިޔާ ޒަރީރު | |
Zareer in 2017 | |
| High Commissioner of the Maldives to Sri Lanka | |
| In office 19 May 2014 – 13 August 2017 | |
| President | Abdulla Yameen |
| Minister of Education | |
| In office 14 July 2005 – 10 November 2008 | |
| President | Maumoon Abdul Gayoom |
| Preceded by | Mahamood Shougee |
| Succeeded by | Mustafa Lutfi |
| Minister of Gender | |
| In office 2004–2005 | |
| President | Maumoon Abdul Gayoom |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 30 December 1959 |
| Relations | Jameel family |
| Parent(s) | Hassan Zareer (father) Fathimath Jameel (mother) |
| Occupation | Ambassador-at-Large |
Zahiya Zareer, (Dhivehi: ޒާހިޔާ ޒަރީރު; born 30 December 1959) is a Maldivian politician, diplomat, and former teacher who served as the High Commissioner and Ambassador of the Maldives to Sri Lanka from 2014 to 2017. She previously served as the Minister of Education from 2005 to 2008.
Career
Zareer began to work for the Maldivian government in 1983.[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] She presented her credentials to the President of Sri Lanka in June 2014.[6] During her time in Sri Lanka, the Maldives declared its withdrawal from the Commonwealth.[7] As a result of this move, Zareer's title was then changed to Ambassador.[8] During her time in Sri Lanka, she was involved in a diplomatic dispute after a 'bomb plot suspect' was expelled from the country.[9] On 13 August 2017, the Maldivian government dismissed her from the post.[8] She was then appointed Ambassador-at-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Government of the Maldives.[1][10]
Personal life
Zareer was born on 39 December 1959 at Durdans Hospital in Colombo, Dominion of Ceylon.[11] She is the daughter of former vice president Hassan Zareer and women's rights activist Fathimath Jameel.[11][12]
Zareer is married and has one son and one daughter; her hobbies include reading, writing poetry and gardening.[11] Zareer is also an expert in Divehi.[13]
References
- ^ a b c d "Ambassador at Large Zahiya Zareer shares main lessons from her career". Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 28 September 2017. Archived from the original on 26 October 2020. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Lang, Olivia (1 July 2008). "Maldives teachers strike over pay". BBC News. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
- ^ "Teacher resource centres launched in the Maldives". UNICEF. 26 November 2007. Archived from the original on 16 March 2008. Retrieved 2020-10-23.
- ^ "President nominates Zahiya Zareer for High Commissioner to Sri Lanka". The President's Office. 13 February 2014. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Maldives leaves Commonwealth amid democracy row". BBC News. 13 October 2016. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
- ^ a b Shaahunaz, Fathmath (13 August 2017). "Govt to dismiss Maldivian ambassador to Sri Lanka". The Edition. Archived from the original on 4 May 2024. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
- ^ "Expulsion of 'bomb plot suspect' from Sri Lanka sparks diplomatic row". Maldives Independent. 8 November 2015. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
- ^ Rasheed, Rushdha (20 December 2017). "Zahiya Zareer appointed as Ambassador at Large at MoFA". Raajje TV. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
- ^ a b c Jayawardana, Ruwini (22 June 2016). "Thumb through leisure". Daily News. Archived from the original on 5 May 2024. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
- ^ Mohamed, Shahudha (5 April 2020). "Feminist icon Fathimath Jameel passes away aged 82". The Edition. Archived from the original on 18 November 2023. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
- ^ Mohamed, Naseema (1999). Divehi writing systems. Male': National Centre for Linguistic and Historical Research. ISBN 99915-71-91-4. OCLC 50912959.