Mohamed Waheed Deen
Mohamed Waheed Deen is a Maldivian politician and businessman who served vice president of the Maldives from 25 April 2012 to 10 November 2013. He was appointed to the position by President Mohamed Waheed Hassan on 15 February 2012, following the disputed resignation of the previous president, Mohamed Nasheed. He is also the Chairman of Bandos Maldives.
Career
Ever since the start of the tourism industry in the Maldives, Deen had been very interested in that. He quickly began his career as a public relations officer.Deen had later become the chairman of Bandos Maldives. He's later been appointed in many government posts during the presidency of Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.
He supported many non governmental organisations, cofounding and becoming a member of a few including the Diabetes Society of Maldives, Maldives National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Maldives Association of Tourism Industry, and more.
Deen was one of the members of the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives from 2003 to 2005. He served as the Minister of Atolls Development from 2005 before resigning in June 2007. During this time, he was hailed as "the founding father of local government in the Maldives" for leading the efforts to introduce local governing through local councils. During that same month, he was appointed as the Minister of Youth and Sports, which he served until August 2008.
He was later nominated as the Vice President of the Maldives in February 2012 by President Mohamed Waheed Hassan. The People's Majlis later approved his nomination in April, where he was later appointed. During his time as the vice president, he represented the Maldives in international meetings.
Deen resigned as the vice president hours before his vice presidential term was supposed to end, at midnight on 11 November 2012.
Awards
Deen had received many awards and certificates from the Maldivian government.In 1988, following the terrorist attack on the Maldives, he was given a Certificate of Commemoration for his services following the coup attempt.
In 1993 and 1996, Deen was presented the National Award in recognition for his services in the tourism industry and community development respectively by President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.
In 2010, Deen was awarded the National Award of Honour for his contributions to the society by President Mohamed Nasheed.