Businessman Kuwa Mohodhey dies

Mohamed Yoosuf (Kuwa Mohodhey), a prominent Maldivian business and political figure, has died, confirms his family.

One of his sons, former Commissioner General of Customs Yoosuf Maaniu confirmed his father’s death in a post on X. According to Maaniu, his father died on Wednesday morning.

He said that the funeral prayer will be held after Isha at the Islamic Center.

Kuwa Mohodhey is also the father of incumbent Higher Education Minister Dr. Mariyam Mariya.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu took to X to convey condolences to the bereaved family.

In his message, President Muizzu highlighted on his contributions to the country in the field of business, and also his generous donations to various individuals and NGOs.

“[He was] a well-known figure of an easygoing personality and friendly personality. The father of productive children,” he added.

إِنَّا ِللهِ وَإِنَّآإِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُون

މިނިސްޓަރ އޮފް ހަޔަރ އެޑިޔުކޭޝަން، ލޭބަރ އެންޑް ސްކިލްސް ޑިވެލޮޕްމަންޓް، ޑޮކްޓަރ މަރްޔަމް މާރިޔާގެ ލޮބުވެތި ބައްޕާފުޅު މުޙައްމަދު ޔޫސުފް އަވަހާރަވި ޚަބަރު އަޅުގަނޑު އަޑުއެހީ ފުން ހިތާމައާއިއެކުއެވެ.

މަރްޙޫމް މުޙައްމަދު ޔޫސުފް (ކުވާ…

— Dr Mohamed Muizzu (@MMuizzu) November 6, 2024

Kuwa Mohodhey was once considered one of the richest people in the Maldives during the 1970s. He was also known to have fostered close ties with former Maldivian president Ibrahim Nasir.

During the 1978 cholera outbreak, he brought vaccines on his ships free of charge, possibly saving thousands of lives.

Kuwa Mohodhey was jailed for allegedly attempting to overthrow the administration of former Maldivian president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, and reportedly had his properties and assets seized as retribution.