Mohamed Jameel Ahmed
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| Dr. Mohamed Jameel Ahmed | |
|---|---|
| މުޙައްމަދު ޖަމީލް އަޙުމަދު | |
| 4th Vice President of the Maldives | |
|
In office 17 November 2013 – 22 July 2015 | |
| President | Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom |
| Preceded by | Mohammed Waheed Deen |
| Succeeded by | Ahmed Adeeb |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Mohamed Jameel Ahmed 13 October 1969 Fuvahmulah, Maldives |
| Political party | Progressive Party of Maldives |
| Alma mater |
SOAS, University of London International Islamic University Malaysia |
| Religion | Islam |
Mohamed Jameel Ahmed (Maldivian: މުޙައްމަދު ޖަމީލް އަޙުމަދު; born 13 October 1969) is a Maldivian lawyer and politician who was the fourth Vice President of the Maldives from 2013 to 2015. He previously served as Minister of Justice from July 2005 to August 2007, as Minister of Civil Aviation and Communication from November 2008 to May 2009 and as Minister of Home Affairs from February 2012 to May 2013.[1] He was once a member of the New Maldives group. In 2015, he was impeached by the parliament and removed from office.
Political career
In July 2007, Jameel made history when he defied conservative Islamists and nominated three women judges, the first time the Maldives had admitted women to the judicial bench.[2]
He resigned as Minister of Justice after accusing President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom of failing to take action against rising Islamic militancy and blocking progress of reforms.[3] One month after Jameel resigned, the Maldives experienced its first ever homegrown terrorism incident when young Islamic radicals blew up a homemade bomb in a public park, injuring a dozen foreign tourists.[4]
Jameel is renowned for his public speaking talents and passion for the reform of the criminal justice system, Jameel secured the highest number of votes in the elections to the Party Executive Council, polling even more votes than President Gayoom.[5]
After leaving government, Jameel became a co-founder of the New Maldives which lead the Opposition against the incumbent 30-year-old regime. After the election of President Mohamed Nasheed, Jameel served as Minister of Civil Aviation and Telecommunications from November 12, 2008 to May 30, 2009.
Dr Jameel was impeached following a no confidence motion submitted by the ruling party, backed by the opposition and independent parliament members. According to sources, the main reason for impeachment was for the illegal attempt of a coup to takeover Presidency. These dealings were leaked by the Parliamentarians, primarily for the reason that all political stakeholders in the country strongly opposes coup.
Personal life and education
Mohamed Jameel was born in Fuvahmulah, in the southern part of Maldives. He was educated in law in Pakistan, Malaysia and the United Kingdom. He obtained a PhD in Criminal Law from School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) - University of London. This was a merit scholarship funded by the Commonwealth. Jameel is the only scholar in Maldives with a PhD from SOAS-University of London. Jameel is also a senior member of JICA Alumni Society of Maldives. According to a media report http://avas.mv/1026 Jameel has a daughter whom he does not talk about as he believes that it might have implications on his political career. Her birth mother was Jameel's second wife whom the public did not know about as their marriage ceremony was conducted abroad in secrecy.
References
- ↑
- ↑ Maldives appoints its first ever women judges
- ↑ Kendal, Elizabeth (2007-09-03). "Elizabeth Kendal, "Maldives:Hope is Born"". Elizabethkendal.blogspot.com. Retrieved 2012-01-11.
- ↑ Sherwell, Philip (2007-09-30). "Has Islamic terrorism arrived on Maldives?". Telegraph. Retrieved 2012-01-11.
- ↑ Minister of Justice calls on the international community to work with the Maldives on strengthening its legal and judicial sectors