Hassan Sobir
Hassan Sobir 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.Career
Sobir started his public service on 7 February 1973 within the National Planning Agency, later shifting to the Ministry of Planning and Development. He also brought the first computer in the Maldives. In 1993, he was appointed the Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture in the administration of Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.He later served as the Minister of Tourism in the same administration from 1998 to 2004. During his time as Minister of Tourism, he coined the famous motto 'The Sunny Side of Life'.
Sobir was also the first chairman of the Maldives Water and Sewerage Company.
He also served as a member of the People's Majlis for the North Ari Atoll constituency from 2000 to 2005.
From 2004 to 2007, he served as the High Commissioner of the Maldives to the United Kingdom.
In 2006, he was appointed the Permanent Representative of the Maldives to the United Nations at Geneva.
From 2005 to 2007, he was the non-resident Ambassador of the Maldives to the European Union.
From 2007 to 2008, he was the High Commissioner of the Maldives to Singapore.
From 2019 to 2022, he was the Ambassador of the Maldives to Belgium and the EU.
From 2022 until his death in 2025, he was the Ambassador of the Maldives in Japan.
Personal life and death
Sobir was married to Aminath Nasheeda and had two children, a son and daughter.On 28 July 2025, Sobir died in Tree Top Hospital, Hulhumalé, while he was undergoing treatment for cancer. President Mohamed Muizzu expressed condolences and ordered the flag to be lowered to half-mast for three days. 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.