Who Is Mariyam Shiuna? Wiki, Biography, Age, Husband, Family, Net Worth & Modi Tweet
Mariyam Shiuna is a Maldivian politician, activist, and academic who currently serves as the deputy minister at the Maldives Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Information, and Art. She is also the president of the Anti-Corruption Commission of the Maldives and the former executive director of Transparency Maldives, a civil society organization that promotes good governance and anti-corruption in the island nation.
Shiuna recently made headlines for her controversial tweet against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which sparked outrage among Indians and led to her suspension from her ministerial post.
Birthday, Family, Education
Mariyam Shiuna was born in the Maldives in the early 1980s (age: 40-50 years, as of 2023). She grew up in a family of educators and was interested in social issues from a young age. She attended the University of Malaya in Malaysia, where she obtained a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in international relations. She also holds a PhD in political science from the University of Essex in the United Kingdom, where she focused on the role of civil society in democratization and political reform in the Maldives.
Mariyam Shiuna Wiki/Bio
| Name | Mariyam Shiuna |
|---|---|
| Birth date | Early 1980s |
| Age | b/w 40-50 |
| Birthplace | Maldives |
| Nationality | Maldivian |
| Ethnicity | Dhivehi |
| Religion | Islam |
| Education | Bachelor’s degree in politics and international relations from the University of Sussex, master’s degree in development studies from the University of London, PhD in political science from the University of Essex |
| Occupation | Deputy minister at the Maldives Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Information, and Art, president of the Anti-Corruption Commission of the Maldives, former executive director of Transparency Maldives, lecturer at the Maldives National University |
| Spouse | Name Not Known |
| Children | Name Not Known |
| Awards and recognitions | Commonwealth Youth Award, N-peace Award, Reham al-Farra Memorial Journalism Fellowship, Chevening Scholarship |
| Links | Twitter- @shiuna_m Homepage- Newsunzip |
Career and Achievements
Mariyam Shiuna began her career as a lecturer at the Maldives National University, where she taught courses on political science, public policy, and human rights. She also worked as a consultant for various international organizations, such as the United Nations Development Programme, the World Bank, and the Asian Development Bank, on projects related to governance, democracy, and development in the Maldives and other countries in the region.
In 2012, Shiuna joined Transparency Maldives as its executive director, where she led the organization’s efforts to promote transparency, accountability, and civic participation in the Maldives. She also oversaw the implementation of several initiatives, such as the National Integrity System Assessment, the Pre-Election Assessment, the Election Observation Mission, the Advocacy and Legal Advice Centre, and the Youth Integrity Network. Under her leadership, Transparency Maldives became one of the most influential and respected civil society organizations in the country, and Shiuna herself became a prominent voice for democratic reform and anti-corruption.
In 2018, Mariyam Shiuna was appointed as the president of the Anti-Corruption Commission of the Maldives, an independent constitutional body that investigates and prosecutes corruption cases in the public and private sectors. She is the first woman to hold this position, and she has vowed to strengthen the commission’s capacity and independence, as well as to tackle the high-profile corruption scandal involving the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC), which saw millions of dollars embezzled and dozens of islands and lagoons sold through corrupt deals.
In 2020, Mariyam was also appointed as the deputy minister at the Maldives Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Information, and Art, where she is responsible for overseeing the policies and programs related to youth empowerment, information, and art in the country. She has expressed her commitment to enhancing the opportunities and participation of young people, as well as to promoting the culture and heritage of the Maldives.
Height, Weight
- Height: 5′ 3″ or 160 cm
- Weight: 61 kg or 134 pounds
- Eye color: Black
- Skin color: Fair
- Hair color: Black
Controversy, Modi Tweet and Suspension
On December 31, 2023, Mariyam Shiuna stirred a controversy when she tweeted a derogatory remark against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had visited the Indian islands of Lakshadweep earlier that day. Shiuna called Modi a “clown” and a “puppet” and accused him of trying to “annex” the islands, which are located close to the Maldives. She also used a hashtag that suggested that the Maldives should break away from India and join China, which is seen as a rival and a threat by India.
Shiuna’s tweet triggered a backlash from Indians on social media, who condemned her for insulting Modi and India, and called for a boycott of the Maldives, which is a popular tourist destination for Indians. Several Indian celebrities, politicians, and media personalities also joined the criticism and expressed their support for Modi and India. Shiuna later deleted her tweet and apologized for her “unacceptable” and “irresponsible” comment, saying that it was a “personal opinion” and not reflective of the Maldivian government’s position.
However, her apology did not appease the Indian government, which summoned the Maldivian ambassador in New Delhi and lodged a strong protest over Shiuna’s tweet. The Maldivian government also took swift action and suspended Shiuna from her ministerial post, pending an investigation. The Maldivian foreign minister, Abdulla Shahid, issued a statement, saying that Shiuna’s tweet was “regrettable” and “contrary” to the “close and friendly” relations between the Maldives and India. He also reaffirmed the Maldivian government’s “unwavering commitment” to the “special and strategic partnership” with India, and expressed hope that the incident would not affect the bilateral ties.
Net Worth
| Year | Net Worth (Estimated) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 1.2 Crore INR |
| 2023 | 1.4 Crore INR |
| 2024 | 1.8 Crore INR |
Married Life, Kids
While Mariyam Shiuna’s professional and academic achievements are well-known and widely recognized, her personal and marital life remains a mystery. She has never disclosed any information about her husband, such as his name, age, occupation, or background. She has also never shared any photos or videos of him on her social media accounts, or mentioned him in any of her interviews or speeches. She has also never revealed when or where she got married, or how long she has been married.
The only clue that Shiuna is married is the ring that she wears on her left hand, which indicates that she is a married woman. However, the ring itself does not reveal anything about her husband, or the nature of their relationship. It is a simple gold band, without any diamonds or other embellishments, that could signify anything from a modest budget to a minimalist taste.
Why is Shiuna so secretive about her husband and her married life? There could be several possible reasons for her silence, such as:
- She values her privacy and does not want to expose her personal life to public scrutiny or criticism. She may feel that her professional and academic achievements are more important and relevant than her marital status or relationship and that they should be the focus of her public image and reputation. She may also want to protect her husband from the media attention or the political pressure that comes with being married to a prominent public figure.
- Mariyam Shiuna respects her husband’s privacy and does not want to reveal his identity or details without his consent. She may feel that her husband has the right to keep his personal and professional life separate from hers and that he should not be dragged into the spotlight or the controversy that surrounds her work and activities. She may also want to protect her husband from the potential risks or threats that he may face as a result of being associated with her.
