Ali Waheed

Ali Waheed (also known as Balak) (Dhivehi ޢަލީ ވަޙީދު) is a Maldivian politician, former MP (Peoples’ Majlis)^[1] and the Chairperson of Maldivian Democratic Party,^[2] the largest political Party in Maldives. He is also the Chairman of New Radiant Sports Club,^[3] one of the most successful football clubs in the country.

He is the youngest Parliamentarian in the history of Maldives, being elected at the age of 24.

Early Life and Education

Born on 20 July 1984, Ali Waheed is the only son of Mohamed Waheed and Zuhura Abdulla. Although his parents are from the islands of Kulhudhufushi and Thoddu, Ali Waheed was born and raised in the capital city of Male’. He underwent primary and secondary education at Jamaaluddin School and Majeedhiyya School where he served as Sports Captain and school Vice President respectively. Upon completion of secondary education at Center for Higher Secondary Education, Ali Waheed went abroad for his undergraduate studies.

He completed his undergraduate studies at Limkowing University, Malaysia and holds a bachelor's degree of Mass Communication from the University of Curtin, Australia.^[4] He is featured among the distinguished Hall of Fame students of Limkokwing University, an honour awarded to young and outstanding students of the University.

Ali Waheed worked at the Presidents’ Office of Maldives for a short period of time before and after completing his undergraduate studies. It was during his work at the Presidents’ Office after his Bachelor's degree that he was offered to work at the 2008 Presidential Elections. He decided to quit his job at the Presidents office in order to pursue a career in politics, as the then Civil Service Act prohibited Civil servants from working at political campaigns and rallies.

Political work and Parliament

Ali Waheed first entered into the Maldivian political arena as the Spokesperson of Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP), the political party of the then incumbent and long serving President Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom. He worked at all levels at the very first democratic elections held in Maldives, representing and defending DRP and President Gayyooms policies and other agendas. He was and is particularly known for his strong and vocal speeches. With the defeat of the 2008 elections, Ali Waheed ran for the first Parliamentary elections to be held after the ratification of the new Constitution, as a member of Dhivehi Rayyithuge Party.

In the May 2009 election he ran for the Constituency of Thoddu and succeeded against his main opponent at that time from the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party. With this election, he became the youngest Parliamentarian in the country.

After his election to Parliament, Ali Waheed also represented his party, the main opposition at the leadership level, being elected the first Deputy Leader^[5] during the 2010 DRP Congress. His close affiliation with the new DRP leader, Mr. Ahmed Thasmeen Ali was highly criticized by those loyal to the former President and the public as well. With the internal political disputes in DRP, Ali Whaeed quit the party and joined the ruling party MDP^[6] in May 2011 with controversial criticism and allegations from both his former party and the general public.

Ali Waheed remains a very vocal politician of the Maldivian Democratic Party by serving two terms as the Deputy Parliamentary Group Leader and being elected in 2014, as the party's Chairperson^[7]

Chairman of New Radiant Sports Club

In addition to politics, Ali Waheed also takes an active involvement in sports, particularly football. He became Chairman of New Radiant Sports Club in 2011 for a four-year term. Founded in 1979, the Club is one of the oldest and most successful clubs in the history of Maldives. New Radiant has since his Chairmanship repeated its historical success after a few unsuccessful years and qualified for the 2013 AFC quarter finals.^[8] Prior to being elected Chairman of New Radiant Sports Club, Ali Waheed served as the club manager for a brief period in 2008 and was appointed as the Maldivian National Football team Manager in the year 2011^[9]

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