Zahiya Zareer
Her Excellency Zahiya Zareer | |
|---|---|
ޒާހިޔާ ޒަރީރު | |
.jpg) Zareer in 2017 | |
| Born | 30 December 1959 |
| Nationality | Maldivian |
| Occupation | Ambassador-at-Large |
| Years active | 1983 - present |
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.
Career[edit]
Zareer 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]
Zareer is also an expert in Divehi.[11]
Personal life[edit]
Zareer is married and has one son and one daughter; her hobbies include reading, writing poetry and gardening.[12] Her father was Hassan Zareer,[13] former Vice President and cabinet minister, and her mother worked at the Department of Women’s Affairs.[12]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d "Ambassador at Large Zahiya Zareer shares main lessons from her career - MFA". foreign.gov.mv. Retrieved 2020-10-23.
- ^ Turner, Barry (ed.). The statesman's yearbook 2006 : the politics, cultures and economies of the world. New York. p. 1107. ISBN 978-0-230-27134-0. OCLC 971891473.
- ^ "Maldives teachers strike over pay". 2008-07-01. Retrieved 2020-10-23.
- ^ "Teacher resource centres launched in the Maldives". UNICEF. Retrieved 2020-10-23.
- ^ "Home Page - The President's Office". www.presidencymaldives.gov.mv. Retrieved 2020-10-23.
- ^ "High Commissioner Zahiya Zareer meets with the CEO of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce – High Commission of Maldives, Colombo". Retrieved 2020-10-23.
- ^ "New high commissioners and ambassadors present credentials to the President". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. 2014-07-01. Retrieved 2020-10-23.
- ^ "Maldives leaves Commonwealth amid democracy row". BBC News. 2016-10-13. Retrieved 2020-10-23.
- ^ a b "Govt to dismiss Maldivian ambassador to Sri Lanka". The Edition. Retrieved 2020-10-23.
- ^ "Expulsion of 'bomb plot suspect' from Sri Lanka sparks diplomatic row". Retrieved 2020-10-23.
- ^ Mohamed, Naseema. (1999). Divehi writing systems. National Centre for Linguistic and Historical Research (Maldives). Male': National Centre for Linguistic and Historical Research. ISBN 99915-71-91-4. OCLC 50912959.
- ^ a b JAYAWARDANA, Ruwini. "Thumb through leisure". Daily News. Retrieved 2020-10-23.
- ^ "Feminist icon Fathimath Jameel passes away aged 82". The Edition.