Abbas Ibrahim (politician)

Abbas Ibrahim (born August 13, 1941) is a Maldivian politician. He is a brother-in-law of President Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom. Ibrahim is a former speaker of the Majlis (parliament) of the Maldives. He has served as an MP since 1981, from 1985 to 1995 he was one of the president's unelected MPs for the Majlis, and as of 2008 is the current MP for Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll.

Background

He is from Endherimaage family. His sister Nasreena Ibrahim has been the First Lady of the Maldives since 1977. His brother Ilyas Ibrahim is the current Minister for Health and MP for Laamu Atoll. The Endherimaage brothers were given such government posts not because they were qualified for it but because of Nasreena Ibrahim's power as a First Lady.

Abbas Ibrahim was selected by the president as the speaker of the Special constitutional Majlis after a 'show of hands' election in defiance of the constitutional requirement for a secret vote. To enforce his election Gayyoom needed a 'show of hands' among Majlis members.

Abbas Ibrahim was the son of Abdul Gadir who changed his name to Dhon Maniku and again to Ibrahim Abbas. He was a wealthy trader and advisor to Mohamed Amin Didi who ruled from 1944 until 1953 first as Home Minister and then President for less than a year. Abbas Ibrahim's father was a self-made man who received high 'beykalun' status late in life. As Ibrahim Nasir rose to power, he was working as a trusted servant of Muhammad Fareed Didi. He served his leaders faithfully and became boss of Maafannu, one of Male's four wards. Together with his brother Ilyas Ibrahim, Abbas Ibrahim inherited control of Maafannu from his father. Abbas was a highly political ward leader like his father.^[1]