Death of Last Surviving Child of Amin Didi

Wednesday 6th of May 2020

Death of Last Surviving Child of Amin Didi

During the early hours of 6th May, the first President of the Maldives Mohamed Amin Didi’s daughter, the last surviving child of his, had passed away. Annabeela Ameena Mohamed Amin was also the only daughter of Amin Didi. The Speaker of the Parliamaent Mohamed Nasheed said that memorial is to be opened for her.

Ameena Mohamed Amin passed away at the age of 85 at her residence. She was suffering from a prolonged illness. She is survived by her husband and four children – Ibrahim Faisal, former Defense Minister Ameen Faisal, Maldivian Ambassador to UK Farhanaz Faisal, and Suweykar Abdul Hameed.

Her contributions during Ibrahim Nasir’s presidency, the second President of the Republic of Maldives, and Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom’s presidency were numerous. She was the editor of the historical ‘Jinsulatheefunge Nooru’ news and was also a member of People’s Majilis. Further, Ameena had done several for the development of women and was recognized in the fields of sports and literature.

Her father, Al Ameer Mohamed Ameen Dhoshimeynaa Kilegefaanu was a descendant of the famous dynasty of Huraa. He was well known for his efforts for the advancement of women and education in the Maldives and had done many contributions for his nation. At the time of his death, on 19th January 1954, his daughter was just 17 years old.

The Golden Memory, over 65 years old

Ameena Mohamed had a very special memory of her father, which she shared with ‘Haveeru’ Assistant Editor and ‘Huvaas’ Editor Muhammed Shaheeb in 2002. It was a letter written by Amin Didi that had been kept as a family secret and was finally revealed by his daughter after 50 years.

At Amin Didi’s death at just 44 years old, his daughter was in preparations for her marriage. In his letter to his loving daughter, he had written many advices to her. This was the letter he had written at his deathplace, Vihamanaa Fushi Island (now kurumbaa village). Ameena received the last words of her father 30 years after it was written.

‘Indeed. The world is often deceivable. As you climb on the stairs of luck and success, the world is delighted on you. As soon as the luck goes away, it turns away from you.’ – Amin Didi.

The Death of Amin Didi

After he became the first President of the Maldives, the death of Sultan Abdul Majeed Didi and the loss at sea of his son Prince Hassan Fareed Didi, the members of the parliament chose Amin Didi to be the next person who is capable to be as Sultan. But Didi stood against it saying "for the sake of the people of Maldives I would not accept the crown and the throne". So, a referendum was held and the Maldives became a Republic. But the Republic was short lived.

People of Male' appointed Velaanaagey Ibaraahim Didi, Vice President to President Amin as the head of the government. Mr Amin Didi was not aware of these events which had taken place in his absence and he returned to the country from Ceylon 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 with high quality services, the same as for the President.

One night Amin Didi came to Male and tried to take control of badeyrige. People were so angry that he was nearly beaten to death. Then he was thrown into a small boat near Male’. Later, he was banished to K.Gaafaru, where his health deteriorated and he was brought to Vihamanaa Fushi Island. He was 44 years old at the time of his death. 

Cover Photo: @DrFarahFaizal