Mohamed Jameel Ahmed

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Mohamed Jameel Ahmed, born 1969, Maldivian lawyer and politician who served as Minister of Justice from July 2005 to August 2007, and member of the New Maldives group. Resigned after accusing President Gayoom of failing to take action against rising Islamic militancy and blocking progress of reforms.[1] One month after Mr 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.[2]

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 that President Gayoom.[3]

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.[4]

After leaving government, Jameel became a co-founder of the New Maldives which is leading the Opposition against the incumbent 30-year old regime.

A direct descendant of Sultan Giyasuddin, Jameel was born in Fuah Mulah and was educated in law in Pakistan, Malaysia and the United Kingdom.

Jameel is married with three children.

[edit] References

  1. ^ see Elizabeth Kendal,"Maldives:Hope is Born" at www.atolltimes.com/news/reports--analysis/maldives--hope-is-born.html
  2. ^ "Phillip Sherwell and ben Leapman, "Has Islamic Terrorism Arrived on the Maldives?" www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/09/30/nmaldives230.xml, nsert footnote text here
  3. ^ Minister of Justice calls on the international community to work with the Maldives on strengthening its legal and judicial sectors, www.foreign.gov.mv/v2/news.php?news=122&page=23
  4. ^ "Maldives appoints its first ever women judges," www.maaloafaanu.com/v2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=327&Itemid=5