Maldives’ largest English-Dhivehi dictionary, authored by Dr. Hassan Hameed, launched

An English-Dhivehi dictionary authored by the distinguished Maldivian scholar Dr. Hassan Hameed, was officially launched on Sunday, marking it as the most comprehensive book of its kind ever published in the Maldives.

The dictionary was unveiled by former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom at a special ceremony held at the auditorium of the Maldives National University’s central administration.

Following the official launch, Dr. Hassan Hameed stated that the dictionary is highly relevant to contemporary needs and will offer significant benefits to a wide audience. He emphasized that the publication will be an invaluable resource for students, Dhivehi language learners, and those dedicated to the preservation and advancement of the language.

Speaking at the ceremony, Maumoon commended Dr. Hassan Hameed for his extraordinary dedication, noting that such a monumental task could not be accomplished in a short period. He highlighted that the dictionary is the culmination of years of meticulous labor and described Dr. Hassan Hameed as an exceptional scholar.

Maumoon further noted that the dictionary would serve as a vital tool for students and language enthusiasts across the country.

"Compiling a dictionary is not a task that can be completed in a day, a month, or even a year or two. It is a far more demanding, intricate, and time-consuming endeavor. Therefore, I extend my profound gratitude to the learned Dr. Hameed for undertaking such a laborious task with immense patience over so many years,"  Maumoon said. 

The dictionary authored by Dr. Hassan Hameed contains over 120,000 entries and weighs approximately 2.1 kilograms.

Dr. Hassan Hameed is an eminent scholar who has rendered invaluable service to the fields of education, science, and astronomy in the Maldives. Having attained higher education in physics, mathematics, and astronomy, he has authored numerous books and articles and conducted extensive educational research. Additionally, he has served in various government positions and commissions, playing a pivotal role in public awareness and academic discourse.