The newly developed office building in Hulhumale' has been named after the late Umar Zahir, a state dignitary and honouree of the Order of the Distinguished Rule of Izzuddin who passed away in December 2022.
Umar Zahir served the nation in various capacities for over 49 years, among them senior positions in the Prime Minister's Office, the President's Office, the Ministry of Home Affairs, Male’ Municipality, and Majeediyya School. He was revered for his contributions in different sectors, where he held top positions, serving as the Minister of Home Affairs and Social Services, the Minister of Home Affairs and Sports, and the Minister of Construction and Public Works, among others. The late Umar Zahir was also a Parliamentarian, Special Advisor to the President, and Senior Minister in the President's Office.
Umar Zahir is celebrated for his unwavering commitment and contributions to the service of the public. Some of the significant projects undertaken under his leadership include the reclamation of Thilafushi, contributions during the initial reclamation phase of Hulhumale’, and various phases of the road development project in Male’.
The government decided to develop an office building in Hulhumale' in 2019 in order to find a solution to the problem of ministries having to rent their own premises indefinitely. The ministry stated it aims to open the building by February 15. The six-storey office building is constructed on an area of 25,000sqft and will consist of a parking area on the ground floor and the first floor. The offices will be located from the second to the fifth floor, and the top floor of the building will hold small meeting rooms, a seminar room, and a terrace.