President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has conferred the Order of the Distinguished Rule of Izzuddin (ODRI), the Maldives’ highest civilian honour, upon Dr. Mohamed Zahir Hussain in recognition of his exceptional contributions to the nation’s education sector. The prestigious award was presented during this year’s Republic Day ceremony, acknowledging Dr. Zahir Hussain’s lifelong commitment to advancing education in the Maldives.
Dr. Zahir Hussain’s distinguished career began after completing his higher education at Al-Azhar University in Egypt. Upon returning to the Maldives, he started teaching at Aminiya School, and his expertise led him to a series of prominent roles within the education sector, most notably as Minister of Education. During his tenure, Dr. Zahir Hussain achieved significant milestones, including the establishment of the Science Education Centre in 1979 and the foundational Basic Education Project.
Having served as Education Minister for over a decade, Dr. Zahir Hussain subsequently held roles such as Minister in the President’s Office and Minister of Youth and Sports. He also served as a Member of Parliament, appointed by the President, where he contributed to the legislative agenda of the nation.
Dr. Zahir Hussain is an accomplished author and was an active member of the committee responsible for translating the Holy Quran into Dhivehi. He authored several Friday sermons and contributed articles to the Islamic publication Dheenuge Magu, issued by the President’s Office. In recognition of his service and contributions to journalism, he received the National Award of Recognition in 1989, the Minivan25 National Award, and the Alimas Galan journalism award.
In 2001, Dr. Zahir Hussain earned a PhD in Theology and Philosophy from Malaysia, subsequently receiving the President’s Award for Special Achievement. His dedication was further honoured on 10 November 2008, when he was first awarded the Order of the Distinguished Rule of Izzuddin (ODRI).
Currently serving as the Chancellor of the Islamic University of Maldives (IUM) since 2019, Dr. Zahir Hussain’s remarkable career spans 48 years, with over 32 years devoted to the advancement of education in the Maldives.