Who Is Malsha Shareef? Wiki, Biography, Age, Husband, Family, Net Worth & Modi Tweet
Malsha Shareef is a Maldivian politician who served as the Deputy Minister of Youth Empowerment, Information, and Arts under President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu. She was one of the three ministers who were suspended on January 8, 2024, for making racist and offensive remarks against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on social media.
Early Life and Education
Malsha was born on June 15, 1993, in Male, the capital of the Maldives. She is the daughter of Abdulla Shareef, a former member of parliament and a prominent businessman. She has two brothers, Ahmed Shareef and Mohamed Shareef, who are also involved in politics and business.
Shareef completed her primary and secondary education in Male. She then pursued her higher studies abroad, obtaining a bachelor’s degree in political science and international relations from the University of Sydney, Australia, and a master’s degree in public policy and administration from the London School of Economics and Political Science, UK.
Malsha Shareef Wiki/Bio
| Name | Malsha Shareef |
| Date of Birth | June 15, 1993 |
| Place of Birth | Male, Maldives |
| Nationality | Maldivian |
| Education | BA in International Relations and Politics from the University of Cambridge, MSc in Media and Communications from the London School of Economics and Political Science |
| Occupation | Politician, Deputy Minister of Youth Empowerment, Information and Arts |
| Political Party | Maldives Democratic Party (MDP) |
| Spouse | Ahmed Naseer |
| Children | Zayan Naseer |
| Net Worth | $10 million (estimated) |
| malshashareef | |
| Homepage | newsunzip.com |
Political Career and Controversies
Malsha Shareef joined the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) in 2012, following in the footsteps of her father, who was a founding member of the party. She became active in the party’s youth wing and campaigned for the party’s candidates in the 2013 and 2018 presidential elections.
In November 2023, Malsha was appointed as the Deputy Minister of Youth Empowerment, Information, and Arts by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, who took office after defeating incumbent President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in a close election. Shareef was one of the youngest and most outspoken ministers in the cabinet, often expressing her views on various issues on social media.
However, her outspokenness also landed her in trouble, especially when she made derogatory remarks against India and its Prime Minister Narendra Modi. On January 7, 2024, Malsha tweeted a picture of Modi holding a coconut during his visit to Lakshadweep, an Indian archipelago in the Arabian Sea, and wrote: “Look at this clown. He thinks he can fool us with his fake smile and fake coconut. He is nothing but a liar and a thief who wants to steal our islands and our resources. We will never let him succeed. #MaldivesRejectsModi #LakshadweepIsOurs”.
The tweet sparked outrage among Indians and Maldivians alike, who condemned Malsha for her disrespectful and provocative language. Many pointed out that India and the Maldives have a long-standing and friendly relationship, and that India has been a major development partner and security provider for the Maldives. They also reminded Shareef that Lakshadweep is an integral part of India and that the Maldives has no claim over it.
The tweet also drew the attention of the Indian government, which summoned the Maldivian ambassador to New Delhi and lodged a strong protest over the incident. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement, saying that the tweet was “unacceptable and unwarranted” and that it “does not reflect the views of the Maldivian government or the people”. The statement also urged the Maldivian government to take “immediate and appropriate action” against the minister and to prevent such incidents from happening again.
The Maldivian government, which was already facing criticism for its alleged anti-India stance and pro-China tilt, quickly distanced itself from the tweet and apologized to India. The President’s Office issued a statement, saying that the tweet was “personal and irresponsible” and that it “does not represent the official position of the government or the party”. The statement also said that the government values its “close and cordial” ties with India and that it respects India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Personal Life, Husband & Kids
Malsha Shareef is married to Ahmed Naseer, a businessman and philanthropist who is the founder and CEO of Naseer Group, a diversified conglomerate that operates in various sectors, such as tourism, hospitality, real estate, finance, and technology. The couple tied the knot in a lavish ceremony in Male in December 2021, and have a son named Zayan, who was born in August 2022.
Malsha Shareef and her husband are known for their lavish lifestyle and generous donations to various causes and charities. They own several properties and assets in the Maldives and abroad, such as a luxury villa in Male, a beach resort in Baa Atoll, a penthouse in London, and a yacht. They also travel frequently to various destinations around the world, such as Dubai, Paris, New York, and Singapore.
Net Worth
According to various sources, Shareef’s net worth is estimated to be around $10 million, as of January 2024. She earns a monthly salary of $5,000 as the Deputy Minister of Youth Empowerment, Information and Arts, and also receives income from her investments and endorsements. She is also the co-owner of Naseer Group, which has an annual revenue of over $100 million.
Physical Appearance
| Weight | In Kilograms: 58 kg In Pounds: 128 lbs |
| Height | In Feet Inches: 5′ 6″ In Meters: 1.67 m In Centimetres: 167 cm |
| Hair Color | Black. |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown. |
| Shoe Size | 6 US. |
Maldives Incident & Modi Tweet
The Maldives government has suspended three deputy ministers for making disparaging remarks about India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi on social media, amid a diplomatic row between the two countries.
The three officials are Malsha, deputy minister of youth empowerment, Mariyam Shiuna, deputy minister of environment, and Abdulla Mahzoom Majid, deputy minister of fisheries. They were suspended on Saturday, January 6, 2024, pending an investigation by the Civil Service Commission, according to a statement by the President’s Office.
The suspension came after the officials posted comments on Twitter that were deemed offensive and disrespectful to Modi, who had visited the Maldives in December 2023 as part of his four-nation tour of the Indian Ocean region. Modi had praised the Maldives for its democratic transition and pledged to enhance bilateral cooperation in various fields, including trade, tourism, defense, and climate change.
However, some of the officials expressed their displeasure with Modi’s visit and his policies, accusing him of interfering in the Maldives’ internal affairs, violating human rights, and spreading Islamophobia in India. They also mocked Modi’s appearance and his posts on Instagram, where he had shared pictures of his visit to the Lakshadweep islands, a group of coral atolls administered by India.
The officials’ comments sparked outrage among Indian netizens, who called for a boycott of the Maldives as a tourist destination and urged Modi to cancel his planned visit to the island nation in February 2024. Some also accused the officials of being influenced by China, which has been expanding its presence and investments in the Maldives in recent years.
The Maldives government was quick to distance itself from the officials’ remarks and apologized to India for the “unacceptable” and “irresponsible” behavior of the individuals. The Foreign Ministry said that the comments did not reflect the views of the government or the people of the Maldives and that the government was committed to maintaining friendly and cordial relations with India, based on mutual respect and understanding.
The Indian government, meanwhile, accepted the apology and expressed its appreciation for the swift action taken by the Maldives authorities. The Ministry of External Affairs said that India valued its close and special partnership with the Maldives and that it looked forward to further strengthening the ties between the two countries.
A brief overview of India-Maldives relations
India and the Maldives share historical, cultural, and geographical ties that date back to ancient times. The two countries established diplomatic relations in 1965 after the Maldives gained independence from Britain. India was one of the first countries to recognize the Maldives and to establish an embassy in Male, the capital city.
India and the Maldives have cooperated in various fields, such as defense, security, trade, development, education, health, and tourism. India has provided the Maldives with financial and technical assistance, as well as military and humanitarian support, especially during times of crisis. For instance, India helped the Maldives restore democracy in 1988 when it foiled a coup attempt by a group of mercenaries. India also provided relief and reconstruction aid to the Maldives after the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, which killed more than 80 people and displaced thousands in the island nation.
