Hassan Sobir
Hassan Sobir | |
|---|---|
ޙަސަން ޞާބިރު | |
 Official portrait, 2022 | |
| Ambassador of the Maldives to Japan | |
| In office 30 May 2022 – 28 July 2025 | |
| President | Ibrahim Mohamed Solih Mohamed Muizzu |
| Preceded by | Ibrahim Uvais |
| Ambassador of the Maldives to Belgium | |
| In office 5 March 2019 – 30 May 2022 | |
| President | Ibrahim Mohamed Solih |
| Preceded by | Ahmed Shiaan |
| Succeeded by | Omar Abdul Razzak |
| Ambassador of the Maldives to the European Union | |
| In office 5 March 2019 – 30 May 2022 | |
| President | Ibrahim Mohamed Solih |
| Preceded by | Ahmed Shiaan |
| In office 2005–2007 | |
| President | Maumoon Abdul Gayoom |
| High Commissioner of the Maldives to the United Kingdom | |
| In office 24 October 2004 – 26 September 2007 | |
| President | Maumoon Abdul Gayoom |
| Preceded by | Ahmed Zaki |
| Succeeded by | Mohamed Asim |
| Member of the People's Majlis | |
| In office 24 February 2000 – 27 February 2005 | |
| President | Maumoon Abdul Gayoom |
| Speaker | Ahmed Zaki Abdulla Hameed Ahmed Zahir |
| Constituency | North Ari Atoll |
| Minister of Tourism | |
| In office 11 November 1988 – 14 September 2004 | |
| President | Maumoon Abdul Gayoom |
| Preceded by | Ibrahim Hussein Zaki |
| Succeeded by | Mustafa Lutfi |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 5 August 1951 Malé, Sultanate of the Maldive Islands |
| Died | 28 July 2025 (aged 73) Hulhumalé, Maldives |
| Resting place | Galolhu Cemetery, Galolhu, Malé |
| Spouse | Aminath Nasheeda |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Majeediyya School |
| Alma mater | International Statistics Programme Center |
Hassan Sobir NIIV (Dhivehi: ޙަސަން ޞާބިރު; 5 August 1951 – 28 July 2025) was a Maldivian politician and diplomat who served as the Ambassador of the Maldives to Japan from 2023 until his death in 2025. He also served as the Minister of Tourism, Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture, and other positions.
Education
Sobir had a General Certificate of Education from Majeediyya School, Bachelors of Commerce in India, and a Diploma in Statistics and Surveys from the International Statistics Programme Center in Washington, D.C.[1]
Career
Sobir started his public service on 7 February 1973 within the National Planning Agency, later shifting to the Ministry of Planning and Development.[2] He also brought the first computer in the Maldives.[3] In 1993, he was appointed the Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture in the administration of Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.[2]
He later served as the Minister of Tourism in the same administration from 1998 to 2004.[4] During his time as Minister of Tourism, he coined the famous motto 'The Sunny Side of Life'.[3]
Sobir was also the first chairman of the Maldives Water and Sewerage Company.[3]
He also served as a member of the People's Majlis for the North Ari Atoll constituency from 2000 to 2005.[5]
From 2004 to 2007, he served as the High Commissioner of the Maldives to the United Kingdom.[6]
In 2006, he was appointed the Permanent Representative of the Maldives to the United Nations at Geneva.[7]
From 2005 to 2007, he was the non-resident Ambassador of the Maldives to the European Union (EU).[1]
From 2007 to 2008, he was the High Commissioner of the Maldives to Singapore.[8]
From 2019 to 2022, he was the Ambassador of the Maldives to Belgium and the EU.[9]
From 2022 until his death in 2025, he was the Ambassador of the Maldives in Japan.[10]
Personal life and death
Sobir was married to Aminath Nasheeda and had two children, a son and daughter.[1][5]
On 28 July 2025, Sobir in Tree Top Hospital, Hulhumalé, while he was undergoing treatment for cancer.[11][12] President Mohamed Muizzu expressed condolences and ordered the flag to be lowered to half-mast for three days.[13][14] A state funeral was held on Monday evening after Asr prayer at the Islamic Centre and he was laid to rest at Galolhu cemetery on Galolhu district.
Awards
On 27 July 2025, President Mohamed Muizzu awarded the Order of Izzuddin to Sobir but the award was accepted by his daughter.[3][15]
References
- ^ a b c "Hassan Sobir" (PDF). Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Singapore). Retrieved 28 July 2025.
- ^ a b "President confers Order of the Distinguished Rule of Izzuddin on Hassan Sobir". The President's Office. 27 July 2025. Archived from the original on 28 July 2025. Retrieved 28 July 2025.
- ^ a b c d Shafeeq, Umar Shan (27 July 2025). "Gasim and Sobir presented with state honors". The Edition. Retrieved 28 July 2025.
- ^ "Former Ministers". Ministry of Tourism and Environment. Archived from the original on 25 March 2025. Retrieved 28 July 2025.
- ^ a b "The President orders national flag to be flown at half-mast for three days following the passing of O.D.R.I. recipient Hassan Sobir". The President's Office. 28 July 2025. Retrieved 28 July 2025.
- ^ "Former High Commissioners". High Commission of the Maldives, London. Retrieved 28 July 2025.
- ^ "NEW PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF MALDIVES PRESENTS CREDENTIALS TO DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF UNOG". United Nations Office at Geneva. 31 July 2006. Archived from the original on 25 January 2025. Retrieved 28 July 2025.
- ^ "Former High Commissioners". High Commission of the Maldives, Singapore. 6 March 2020. Archived from the original on 28 December 2023. Retrieved 28 July 2025.
- ^ "President Solih appoints Ambassador to Belgium and European Union". The President's Office. 5 March 2019. Archived from the original on 21 August 2022. Retrieved 28 July 2025.
- ^ "The President appoints two ambassadors to Japan, Belgium and the EU". The President's Office. 30 May 2022. Archived from the original on 11 August 2024. Retrieved 28 July 2025.
- ^ "Hassan Sobir, Who Helped Transform Maldives' Key Sectors, Dies; President Muizzu Calls It a 'Profound Loss'". PSM News. 28 July 2025. Retrieved 28 July 2025.
- ^ Mohamed, Naizak (28 July 2025). "Sobir, conferred Order of the Distinguished Rule of Izzuddin yesterday, dies at 73". Sun. Retrieved 28 July 2025.
- ^ Shafeeq, Umar Shan (28 July 2025). "Flag to be at half mast for three days in honor of Sobir". The Edition. Retrieved 28 July 2025.
- ^ Shaufeeq, Umar Shan (28 July 2025). "President expresses condolences on Sobir's passing". The Edition. Retrieved 28 July 2025.
- ^ Thaufeeq, Shazma (28 July 2025). "Ambassador Hassan Sobir was laid to rest with state honors". The Edition. Retrieved 28 July 2025.