Fathulla was an important figure also in internal affairs: Gayoom

Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has said that the Late Fathulla Jameel is an important figure not just in the country’s external affairs, but also internal affairs.

Speaking at a ceremony held last night at Islamic Centre in memory of Fathulla Jameel who passed away on 1 March 2012 in Singapore, Gayoom said that even though Fathulla worked in the field of external affairs for 27 years, he has also provided remarkable services in the field of internal affairs.

“Fathulla was part of my cabinet for 27 years. He also worked at People’s Majlis and Special Majlis as a President’s member for 17 years,” Gayoom said.

In his speech, Gayoom touched on some of Fathulla’s noteworthy services to external affairs of the country.

He mentioned Fathulla’s efforts in returning the participants of a coup who fled, back to the country in early 1980s. Fathulla played a major role in the prosecution of these people as well.

He also mentioned Fathulla’s role in defeating the coup conducted against the government in 1988, and protecting the country’s independence and sovereignty.

Fathulla was an important figure in Maldives’ participation in Commonwealth and in the creation of SAARC. He was also deeply involved in obtaining aid from Arabic countries, and representing Maldives in the United Nations.

Chancellor of the University of Maldives Dr Mohamed Zahir Hussain, who was friends with Fathulla in school, said that Fathulla was smart and had good humour.

“He had a fun character, all his friends loved him for this reason,” Zahir Hussain said.

Speaker of Parliament Abdullah Shahid, who spoke of Fathulla as a member of his family, said that Fathulla is the greatest diplomat the Maldives has seen so far.

Also at the ceremony, a book on the life of Fathulla Jameel authored by former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and Dr Zahir Hussain was inaugurated by Vice President Mohamed Waheeddeen.

Vice President Mohamed Waheeddeen, former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, cabinet ministers, and members of the cabinet of the former administration attended the ceremony.