Ibra's Running Mate: Fathmath Nahid Shakir

Until thrown into the limelight on 19 September 2008, by becoming the first female contender to the Maldivian Vice Presidency, Nahid has been a working mom. Bringing up two children and working for most part of their lives in developing the education system of the country, Nahid combines the challenges of both motherhood and a fulltime career in education. 

Nahid has been working as a curriculum expert the last fourteen or so years. Receiving a Masters Degree (with distinction), from University of Reading, in Educational Planning and Organisation in 2006, Nahid has been a dedicated civil servant who is passionate about the state of education in the Maldives. Nahid has not made her disillusionment with the education system an excuse to give up her efforts to change it. Starting in 1983 as a lowly paid preschool teacher, she also worked in primary teaching before she decided she could do more for the nation by putting her efforts into curriculum development.

Living all her life in Male' has not made her a stranger to life in the Maldivian islands. While growing up she spent her school holidays in the atolls with her family. Also, in her work in the Educational Development Centre she has travelled widely within the country. 

Married to Ahmed Athif (X-ray Athif), since 1986, they have two children Mun-ish (Moosh) 21 yrs and Mishya (Mishy) 15 yrs.

Coming from a close knitted family, Nahid and her siblings suffered the tragic loss of both their mother and father in a boat accident in 1991. Her parents had been on their annual trip to Meemu and Vaavu which had been a ritual ever since Nahid remembers.

According to her friends, Nahid is an understanding, trustworthy and generous person who is always there for them. Her friends consider Nahid 'a friend of substance' who is a good listener and who inspires confidence in people around her. Her links to the 'upperclass' has not stopped Nahid from embodying the hospitality and friendliness which is a cornerstone of Maldivian culture. People not as close to Nahid describe her as a 'traditional' Maldivian, extending the warmth and friendliness of the everyday neighbour. 'She is one of the few women who would stop on the street and speak to you even if she did not know you by name'.

Nahid values a set of admirable ethics, especially when it comes to work. A committed worker, Nahid completes her deadlines, a quality admired and appreciated by her colleagues . Not a woman to take the endless tea breaks or sit around chit chatting, she would do exactly what she was supposed to do: carry out multitudinous responsibilities in a limited number of hours everyday. Most of her students remember her as a vibrant teacher who showed them the meaning of acceptance and who had a smile for everybody.

As she slowly makes her mark on Maldivian life, Nahid will, to a large degree, be doing Maldivian women in general a service, despite their minority involvement in the nation's politics. The presence of such a woman at the heart of government bodes well for all Maldivians.