Zahiya Zareer, (Dhivehi: ޒާހިޔާ ޒަރީރު; born 30 December 1959) is a Maldivian politician and former teacher; she is Ambassador-at-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Government of the Maldives and was formerly High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, after held two ministerial government offices.
Zahiya Zareer | |
|---|---|
ޒާހިޔާ ޒަރީރު | |
.jpg) Zareer in 2017 | |
| Ambassador of the Maldives to Sri Lanka | |
| In office 19 May 2014 – 13 August 2017 | |
| President | Abdulla Yameen |
| Minister of Education | |
| In office 2005–2008 | |
| President | Maumoon Abdul Gayoom |
| Minister of Gender | |
| In office 2004–2005 | |
| President | Maumoon Abdul Gayoom |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 30 December 1959 |
| Nationality | Maldivian |
| Parent(s) | Hassan Zareer (father) Fathimath Jameel (mother) |
| Occupation | Ambassador-at-Large |
Career
editZareer began work in 1983, working for the Maldivian government.[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][6] She presented her credentials to the President of Sri Lanka in June 2014.[7] During her time in Sri Lanka, the Maldives declared its withdrawal from the Commonwealth.[8] As a result of this move, Zareer's title changed to Ambassador.[9] During her time in Sri Lanka, she was involved in a diplomatic dispute after a 'bomb plot suspect' was expelled from the country.[10] On 13 August 2017, the Maldivian government dismissed her from the post.[9] She was then appointed Ambassador-at-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Government of the Maldives.[1][11]
Personal life
editZareer is married and has one son and one daughter; her hobbies include reading, writing poetry and gardening.[13] Her father was Hassan Zareer,[14] former Vice President and cabinet minister, and her mother, Fathimath Jameel, worked at the Department of Women’s Affairs.[13]
References
edit- ^ a b c d "Ambassador at Large Zahiya Zareer shares main lessons from her career - MFA". Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 28 September 2017. Archived from the original on 26 October 2020. Retrieved 2020-10-23.
- ^ 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.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ 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.
- ^ "High Commissioner Zahiya Zareer meets with the CEO of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce". High Commission of the Maldives, Colombo. Archived from the original on 27 October 2020. Retrieved 2020-10-23.
- ^ "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 2020-10-23.
- ^ a b Shaahunaz, Fathmath (13 August 2017). "Govt to dismiss Maldivian ambassador to Sri Lanka". The Edition. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
- ^ "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.
- ^ Mohamed, Naseema (1999). Divehi writing systems. Male': National Centre for Linguistic and Historical Research. ISBN 99915-71-91-4. OCLC 50912959.
- ^ a b Jayawardana, Ruwini (22 June 2016). "Thumb through leisure". Daily News. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
- ^ Mohamed, Shahudha (5 April 2020). "Feminist icon Fathimath Jameel passes away aged 82". The Edition. Retrieved 4 May 2024.