Abdul Raheem Abdulla
Abdul Raheem Abdulla more popularly known as Adhurey is a Maldivian politician currently serving the 21st speaker of the People's Majlis since 28 May 2024 before which he was serving as a Special Advisor to the President of Republic of Maldives Mohamed Muizzu. He is the chairman of People's National Congress.
Early life
Abdul Raheem Abdulla was born to Maryam Ahmed on 19 April 1967 in Fonadhoo.He was exiled as punishment of a crime during the presidency of Maumoon Abdul Gayoom for stealing corrugated roofing sheets from the State Trading Organisation and became known as "Tinu Adhurey".
Career
Abdul Raheem was elected to the 17th People's Majlis in 2009 representing the People's Alliance party, headed by ex-President Abdulla Yameen. In 2014, he was reelected representing the Progressive Party of Maldives in Fonadhoo in the 18th People's Majlis, and was nominated as the party's candidate for Deputy Speaker, but lost to Reeko Moosa Manik.He was appointed Vice President of PPM after losing an election for the same. Abdul Raheem was of the founding members of the People's National Congress, of which he later became the chairperson. On 17 November 2023, he was appointed as the Special Advisor to the President. He was elected as the Speaker of the People's Majlis on 28 May 2024.
Controversies and Gaffes
Abdul Raheem was embroiled in a controversy after he referred to the former Former President of Maldives Mohamed Nasheed as a "Jew" and a "Munafiq of proportions hereto unseen in the country".He was widely derided for claiming at a campaign event during the 2018 Maldivian presidential election that it was attended by 200,000 people "because 50 multiplied by 4 is 200,000", and has been subsequently known has "Hisaabu Soa" or "Mathematics teacher", with grossly incorrect sums popularly referred to as "Adhureymatics".