Mohamed Amin Didi

Mohamed Amin Didi
President Mohamed Amin Didi
1st President of the Maldives
In office January 1, 1953 – August 21, 1953
Vice President	Ibrahim Muhammad Didi
Preceded by	Office Created
Succeeded by	Ibrahim Muhammad Didi (Acting) Office Abolished Maldives Sultanate (Muhammad Fareed Didi)
Personal details
Born	20 July 1910 Athireege
Died	19 January 1954 (aged 43) Vihamanaafushi Island
Nationality	Maldivian
Political party	Peoples Progress Party
Spouse(s)	Fathimath Saadhaa
Children	1
Religion	Islam

Al Ameer Mohamed Ameen Dhoshimeynaa Kilegefaanu (Dhivehi: އަލްއަމީރު މުހައްމަދު އަމީން ދޮށިމޭނާ ކިލެގެފާނު) (July 20, 1910 – January 19, 1954), popularly known as Mohamed Ameen Didi was a Maldivian political figure. He served as the first president of the Maldives and as the head of government between January 1, 1953 and August 21, 1953. Ameen Didi was also the principal of Majeediyya School from 1946 to 1953. Amin Didi had one daughter, Ameena Ameen. His grandson Ameen Faisal was the former Minister of Defence and National Security of Maldives. His other grandchildren are Ibrahim Faisal, Farahanaz Faisal and Aishath Shuweykar.

Mohamed Amin Didi was the leader of the first political party in the Maldives, Rayyithunge Muthagaddim Party. He was well known for his efforts to modernize the country, which included the advancement of women, education in Maldives, nationalising the fish export industry and an unpopular ban on tobacco smoking.

President Ameen was the son of Athireegey Ahmed Dhoshimeynaa kilegefaan and Roanugey Aishath Didi. He was a descendant of the famous dynasty of Huraa, from his father's side. In 1920, he went abroad to Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) and studied in St. Josephs College. In 1928, he went to India for further studies and returned to Maldives one year later.

After returning to Maldives, he held many posts in the government such as the chief officer of Customs, head of the Maldivian Post Office, Minister of Trade and was also a member of the First Maldivian Parliament.

With the support of the people, he abolished the 812-year-old sultanate and became the first President of the Maldives on 1 January 1953, although he had always supported a constitutional monarchy.

After the death of Sultan Majeed Didi and his son Prince Hassan Fareed Didi, the members of the parliament elected Amin Didi as the next person in line to succeed the sultan. But Didi is known to have said: "for the sake of the people of Maldives I will not accept the crown and the throne". So, a referendum was held and Maldives became a republic. But the republic was short lived and a revolution was brought by the people of Male, while the President was in Ceylon for medical treatment. A period followed in which parts of the south broke and formed the short-lived United Suvadive Republic. The people of Male' appointed Velaanaagey Ibraahim Didi, the vice president of Amin as the head of the government. Amin Didi was not aware of these events which had taken place in his absence and he returned to the country ignorant of what had happened. As soon as Amin Didi returned, for his own safety he was taken to Dhoonidhoo island and was kept there under the government's supervision but was treated in the same manner as a head of state in the Maldives.