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Maumoon Abdul Gayoom is a Maldivian politician, statesman and diplomat who served as the 3rd president of the Maldives from 1978 to 2008. He previously served as the Minister of Transport from 1977 to 1978, and as the Permanent Representative of the Maldives to the United Nations from 1976 to 1977. Gayoom is the longest-serving president in Maldivian history.
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politics · President of the Maldives from 1978 to 2008 · politician · also Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, Gayoom
Born 29 December 1937 · Q297957
56 published statements · 0 followers
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Maumoon Abdul Gayoom's speech at the 58th World Health Assembly
President Maumoon addressing the nation following the 2004 Tsunami
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“By the grace of Almighty Allah, I am well and safe, but severe injuries have been inflicted on this brave young man from this island, Mohamed Jaisham. He is a true hero. I sincerely thank him and his family, and I pray to Almighty Allah for his speedy recovery.”
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Zee News: Former Maldives president Gayoom meets PM
Gayoom received a special commemorative shield in recognition of his "commendable work" to prevent the 1988 attack to overthrow his government, which was acknowledged at the national level
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Gayoom was awarded the President's Tourism Gold Award
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The Quint rated the claim “Congress Chief Sonia Gandhi Sat on Ex-Maldives President Gayoom's Lap” False.
Shown as reported and rated by a fact checker, not as an established fact.
FACTLY rated the claim “Photo of Sonia Gandhi sitting on the lap of Maumoon Abdul Gayoom” FALSE.
Shown as reported and rated by a fact checker, not as an established fact.
FACTLY rated the claim “Sonia Gandhi sat in the lap of Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.” FALSE.
Shown as reported and rated by a fact checker, not as an established fact.
AFP Fact Check rated the claim “Former leader of the Indian National Congress Sonia Gandhi sat on the lap of former Maldives President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.” False.
Shown as reported and rated by a fact checker, not as an established fact.
Gayoom announced his intention to establish a new political party, the Maldives Reform Movement
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And remained low public profile ever since
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Gayoom was arrested on charges of conspiring to overthrow the government as a part of the 2018 political crisis, and was sentenced to 19 months in prison for obstructing justice after refusing to cooperate with the polic
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PPM members voted to remove Gayoom as the party leader
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Gayoom apologised for supporting Abdulla Yameen in the 2013 presidential election, expressing regret for his role in Yameen's rise to power
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A leadership dispute emerged between Abdulla Yameen and Gayoom, leading to rapid changes within the Progressive Party of Maldives
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Gayoom was awarded the Golden Jubilee Shield of Honour by the State for his exceptional national service in safeguarding, defending, and strengthening the full independence of the Maldives over the preceding 50 years
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Gayoom undertook an official visit to Samoa as a special envoy of the president at the Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States
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Gayoom held a meeting with him
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After resigning from the Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party, which he had established
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Gayoom established his non-profit organisation, "the Maumoon Foundation", to support initiatives aimed at improving the livelihoods of the Maldivian people, utilising his resources, contacts, and experience
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Election lost: 2008 presidential election.
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Campaign: 2008 presidential election.
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After several rounds of negotiations with opposition parties, particularly the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), an agreement was reached
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Representatives of Small Island Developing States signed the "Malé Declaration on the Human Dimension of Global Climate Change", a treaty signed by representatives of Small Island Developing States to highlight the criti
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Media freedom was granted, and the criminal justice system was modernised
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Campaign: 2003 presidential election.
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The Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushana in 2008, and the Order of the Distinguished Rule of Ghazi, the highest state honour awarded by the Maldives, awarded to him in 2013
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The new constitution came info effect—declaring the Maldives a democratic republic (though it did not fully follow democratic principles)
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Highlighted the pressing need for international cooperation in addressing the challenges posed by rising sea levels and other environmental threats
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And the International Environment Award by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit in 1998
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The Maldives hosted the first Small States Conference on Sea Level Rise, signing the "Malé Declaration on Global Warming and Sea Level Rise", a treaty urging nations to recognise sea level rise as a global security threa
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Gayoom initiated the Commonwealth Study on Climate Change, which focused on the effects of global warming on Commonwealth nations, particularly small island states
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Was included in the Global 500 Roll of Honour by the United Nations Environment Programme
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Influenced by the deployment of the Indian Peace Keeping Force in Sri Lanka
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Following severe flooding that inundated much of the capital, Malé, Gayoom recognised the looming threat posed by rising sea levels and environmental degradation
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Gayoom invited Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat to the Maldives, and he undertook a state visit in July the same year
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And in 1997, Queen Elizabeth II conferred upon him the title of Knight Grand Cross of St Michael and St George
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Gayoom established diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and the Maldives in history
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To MVR 10,458 million by 2005, according to International Monetary Fund estimates
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With the introduction of the Tourism Act, which established regulations to manage entry into the sector through capacity control
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To one per 1,300, and hospital bed capacity increased nearly tenfold
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Career landmark: President of the Maldives (1978–2008).
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By his two brothers-in-law, who proposed his name to parliament
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Gayoom severed diplomatic relations with Israel that had been established under the previous administration of Ibrahim Nasir
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The Maldives lacked a formal education system beyond the capital Malé, although two secondary schools and basic educational infrastructure existed there
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To 97,323 in 1998, and the literacy rate improved from 70% to 98
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Campaign: 1978 presidential election.
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Gayoom was appointed deputy minister of transport and, on 24 September, became the Permanent Representative of the Maldives to the United Nations
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Became undersecretary at the Department of External Affairs
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Was arrested again for his continued criticism of Nasir's policies, but after 50 days in jail, he was freed and, in 1975, appointed as Special Undersecretary in the Prime Minister's Office
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Gayoom was appointed undersecretary and later became director of the government telecommunications department
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For criticising the policies of the then-president Nasir
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Was transferred to the government shipping department, where he served as manager
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And worked as a teacher at Aminiya School
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The 27-year old Gayoom met 15-year old Nasreena Ibrahim in Cairo while she was there to study
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Received a government scholarship to study abroad
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Born 1937-12-29.
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