Ibrahim Ali Didi

Ibrahim Ali Didi was born on 11 June 1889, the child of Eggamuge Tuttu Ali Didi and Sitti of Velidooge (Muleegey Tuttu Didi ge Sitti). His father, Ali Didi was the son of Hassan Famuladheyri Kilegefan of Eggamuge. He was delivered at Eggamuge in Fura Malé. Kilegefan used his Father's name in his last name "Ali Didi". During the first reign of Muhammad Mueenuddeene II, his grandfather Hassan Faamudheyri Kilegefan was appointed as a Member of the King's Consultative Assembly in 1887. Kilegefān's father was the brother of Queen Umm Kulthoum Didi, Consort of King Muhammad Imaduddine VI. They got a daughter, Princess Fathimath Ibrahim Didi (Tuttu Goma). During Kilegefān's premiership, he was married to Aminath Mohamed Didi from Fura Malé. His other daughter, Jameela was married to Ahmed Shathir, who was a Speaker of the People's Majlis and scholar. Father to two princesses, Ibrahim Ali Didi had four children, Princess Fathimath Ibrahim Didi (Tuttu Goma), Jameela Ibrahim Didi, Princess Aishath Ibrahim Didi (Mandoogey Titti Goma and Khadheeja Ibrahim Didi. The period was a time of conflict between the Athireege and the Eggamuge families in the politics of Maldive Islands. At that time, Tuttu Ali Didi, Ibrahim Ali Didi's father was exiled to Huraa Island for political reasons. Ibrahim Ali Didi, aged about 15, returned to Fura Malé from Ceylon while studying. As a result of his father's banishment to Huraa, he had no means to return to Colombo. Ali Didi requested from then–Prime Minister Athireegey Ibrahim Dhoshimeyna Kilegefan, the grandfather of Mohamed Amin Didi, to return to Ceylon to study. However, the Prime Minister responded, Ibrahim Ali Didi was disheartened by the Prime Minister's response but remained determined to pursue his studies in Ceylon. Undeterred by the official denial, he resolved to find a way to reach Ceylon without the government's knowledge. His uncle, Eggamuge Abdullah Didi, was also exiled, and his boat was also sent to Huraa with him. Young Ibrahim Ali Didi traveled to Huraa, where he discovered his elder brother's boat (Odi) in the sea. With the assistance of a group of young men from Huraa, he worked to dry the boat and prepare it for the voyage to Ceylon. Ibrahim Ali Didi made all necessary arrangements to secretly sail from the boat. He was encouraged by Daravandhooge Moosa Didi, close fried of Ali Didi's father and the father of Hussain Salahuddin. Moosa Didi also provided the travel equipment needed for the journey. After preparing the boat in Huraa, Ibrahim Ali Didi set sail for Ceylon with his father and elder brother. Within two days, the boat successfully entered the port of Ceylon. After entering the port of Colombo, Ibrahim Ali Didi first headed to the British Governor's office. There, he explained the situation in the Maldive Islands and requested protection. The British in Ceylon were already aware of the family feud in the political scene of the Maldives. Consequently, Ibrahim Ali Didi received the protection he sought from the British. Ibrahim Ali Didi began his education in Cornwall under British protection. After completing his studies, he returned to Malé. == Premiership ==

Following the restoration of the Sultanate of the Maldive Islands in 1954, Ibrahim Ali Didi was appointed the 7th prime minister of the Maldive Islands on 11 March 1954. Throughout his premiership, Ibrahim Ali Didi maintained close ties with the British. Within the first month of assuming office, a significant agreement was reached between the British Empire and Kilegefān, granting Gan in Addu Atoll to the British Empire for a period of 100 years. However, dissent brewed within his administration as his cabinet minister, Ibrahim Nasir, opposed this move and launched an anti-campaign. In response to the growing tension, a committee was formed by royal decree to investigate the activities of Prime Minister Kilegefān's government. After a thorough examination, the committee recommended that the king request Prime Minister Kilegefān's resignation citing health reasons. Consequently, Kilegefān resigned from his position on December 11, 1957. Ibrahim Nasir was then appointed as the new Prime Minister. Under Nasir's leadership, the Maldives eventually gained independence, marking a significant milestone in the nation's history. == Political career ==

Ibrahim Ali Didi began his public service as a key figure in establishing a legitimate government in the Maldives. Upon the formation of the new government, he assumed roles such as Minister of Health and Minister of Endowments. Additionally, he held positions including Member of Parliament, Speaker of Parliament, Representative of the Dhivehi State in Sri Lanka, Member of the Executive Council, and Member of the Crown Committee. Eventually, he resigned from the position of Prime Minister of the Maldives, after which he became the state advisor. He was crowned the Faamudheyri Kilegefan title on 10 Jumadul Ula 1365H. Throughout his career, Ibrahim Ali Didi held significant positions within the government, particularly during Mohamed Amin Didi's administration. He served as Minister of Interior multiple times and represented B.A. as a Member of Parliament. He was also elected as a member of the Crown Committee following the resignation of King Hassan Nooraddeene II. Furthermore, he also served as the Representative of the Maldives in Ceylon. A close associate of Mohamed Amin Didi, he played a crucial role in the government. Despite not holding any position in the first Republican government, he assumed leadership following a change in government on the 21 August 1953. ==References==