Mohamed Jameel Ahmed (born 1969) is a Maldivian lawyer and politician who served as Minister of Justice from July 2005 to August 2007, and member of the New Maldives group.
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.[1]
He resigned as Minster of Justice after accusing then President Gayoom of failing to take action against rising Islamic militancy and blocking progress of reforms.[2] 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.[3]
Jameel is 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 than President Gayoom.[4]
After leaving government, Jameel became a co-founder of the New Maldives which lead the Opposition against the incumbent 30-year old regime. After the election of President Mohamed Nasheed, Jameel served as Minister of Civil Aviation and Telecommunications from Nov. 12, 2008 to May. 30, 2009.
A direct descendant of Sultan Giyasuddin, Jameel was born in Fuvamulah, in the southern part of Maldives. He was educated in law in Pakistan, Malaysia and the United Kingdom. He obtained a PhD in Criminal Law from School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) - University of London. This was a merit scholarship funded by the Commonwealth. Jameel is the only scholar in Maldives with a PhD from SOAS-University of London. Jameel is also a senior member of JICA Alumni Society of Maldives.
Jameel is married and has three children.