Literary icon Aminath Faiza dies aged 86

Maldivian poet Aminath Faiza died on Friday morning during treatment for a severe stroke.

The 86 year-old was described by the President’s Office as a local “literary icon”, one of the leading poets who graduated from ‘Dhivehi Lheverikamuge Bageechaa’ founded by the country’s first president Mohamed Amin.

“Aminath Faiza was also an active member of the first ever political party to be founded in the Maldives,” the President’s Office said, expressing President Mohamed Nasheed’s condolences.

Faiza served as a teacher and the Deputy Principal of Madhrasathul Saniyya, and worked for the Maldives Center for Historical and Linguistic Research for over 27 years. She was awarded the National Award of Recognition in 1980 and National Award of Honour in 1996 in recognition of her contribution to Maldivian poetry.

Faiza is survived by her three children, Ahmed Abbas, Aminath Abbas and Mohamed Hilmy.