Fayyaz Ismail

Fayyaz Ismail (Dhivehi: ފައްޔާޒު އިސްމާއިލް) is a Maldivian politician and lawyer who is currently serving as the Chairperson of the Maldivian Democratic Party since 2022 and previously served as the minister of economic development from 2018 to 2023.

Fayyaz Ismail
ފައްޔާޒު އިސްމާއިލް
Official portrait, 2018
Chairperson of the Maldivian Democratic Party
Incumbent
Assumed office 23 May 2022
Preceded by	Hassan Latheef
Minister of Economic Development
In office 17 November 2018 – 17 November 2023
President	Ibrahim Mohamed Solih
Preceded by	Mohamed Saeed
Succeeded by	Mohamed Saeed
Member of 18th People's Majlis
In office April 2014 – 17 November 2018
Personal details
Born	(1962-05-26) 26 May 1962 (age 62)
Nationality	Maldivian
Political party	Maldivian Democratic Party (2011–present)
Other political affiliations	Social Liberal Party (2008–2011)
Children	2
Parent	Ismail Naseer
Alma mater	Middlesex University, United Kingdom
Signature

Early life and education

Fayyaz Ismail was born on 26 May 1962.^[1] He holds a Bachelor of Laws from Middlesex University.

Career

Early career

In 2009, Ismail served as a non-executive director of Dhiraagu. He also sat on the employment advisory board of the Ministry of Human Resources.^[2]

Political career

Ismail was a member of the Social Liberal Party from 2008 to 2011, he joined the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) in 2011.^[3]

Member of the 18th People's Majlis (2014–2018)

Ismail was elected as a member of the 18th People's Majlis following the 2014 Maldivian parliamentary election, which he represented Gan.^[4]

In 2015, Ismail was arrested, alongside MDP Vice President Mohamed Shifaz, National Council Member and former MP Ilyas Labeeb, and others during a protest calling for the release of Mohamed Nasheed.^[5]

Minister of Economic Development (2018–2023)

After Ibrahim Mohamed Solih was sworn in as the president of the Maldives, Ismail was appointed as the minister of economic development on 17 November 2018.^[6][7]

Chairperson of MDP

On 23 May 2022, Ismail was elected as the Chairperson of the Maldivian Democratic Party.^[8] He was elected following a landslide victory.^[9]

References

1. Hussain, Rifshan [@RifshanHussain] (16 May 2022). "Happy birthday Fayyaz Ismail 🎉👏👏👏
   @ibusolih @MohamedNasheed @Mraee12 @faya_i" (Tweet). Retrieved 31 January 2025 – via Twitter.
2. "Dhiraagu Initial Public Offering PROSPECTUS" (PDF). Dhiraagu. 29 September 2011. p. 36. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
3. Shan, Mohamed (9 May 2011). "އިބުރާ އެނބުރި އެމްޑީޕީއަށް" [Ibra back to MDP]. Haama Daily (in Divehi). Archived from the original on 22 July 2011. Retrieved 11 May 2011.
4. "Parliamentary Election 2014 Statistics". Elections Commission. Retrieved 31 January 2025. Go to the Results tab and search his name.
5. "MDP Condemns Narrowing of Rights to Assembly, Targeted Arrests; Call for Release of all Political Detainees". Maldivian Democratic Party. 7 March 2015. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
6. "President appoints members to the Cabinet". The President's Office. 18 November 2023. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
7. "Maldives' new cabinet sworn in". Avas. 17 November 2018. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
8. "Fayyaz Ismail assumes office as MDP Chairperson". PSM News. 23 May 2022. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
9. Abdulla, Lamya (14 May 2022). "MDP Chairperson election: Landslide victory for Fayyaz". The Edition. Retrieved 31 January 2025.