Dhovemi of the Maldives

Dhovemi or Donei Kalaminjaa was the king of the Maldives from 1141 to 1166 according to the Raadhavalhi and the Loamaafaanu copper plate writings (two sources from which the early history of the Maldives is studied). The Taarikh chronicles. however calls this king Sultan Muhammad-ul-Adil which is probably the Muslim name of the king after his conversion to Islam in the 12th year of his reign.

Dhovemi was the son of Henevi Maavaa Kilage the sister of the first King Koimala of all the Maldives. He ruled for 25 years, 12 years as a Bhuddist and 13 years after his conversion to Islam. The conversion of Dhovemi and later the whole Maldivian Kingdom to Islam was accredited by Ibn Batuta to the berber Abu al Barakat ul Barbari. But the chronicles of Raadavalhi and Tharik credits the Persian from the Tabriz, called Yusuf Shamsud-din for the conversion of the Maldivian Kingdom to Islam in the year 1153. The newly converted king and now sultan of the Maldives, sent emmisaries to the different atolls to convert all the inhabitants without exception to the Muslim faith. The conversion of the whole country is said to have taken place on the 12th day of Rabi-ul-Akhir 548 AH (1153 AD) on the 17th year of Al-Muqtafi, the Caliph of Baghdad, and since then the Maldives has been a predominantly Islamic country.

Sultan Dhovemi was the first to enforce Islamic law. All traces of idolatory were effaced during this period of major reformation and mosques were built on many of the inhabited islands. The sultan is said to have been just, impartial, pious, secular and was beloved by his subjects for his wisdom, kindliness and generosity.

The death of the Sultan is not recorded, but he is said to have disappeared in 1166 on a voyage to Mecca to perform the Hajj. The Taarikh writes:

"(he said) next Friday a ship will arrive, whereon I shall sail fot Mekka. he day named verily a vessel anchored at Male'. The Sultan, having performed the Jum'a (noon prayers) at the mosque, hurried to the seashore and embarked in the vessel without attendants or provisions. Forwith the ship passed from sight as suddently as lightning (and he was not heard from thence"

On the disappearance of his uncle, Muthey Kalaminja took over the throne of the Maldives and ruled as the sultan.