Ahmed Salih Ali Didi, who rendered invaluable services towards Addu’s development, dies aged 92

Ahmed Salih Ali Didi.

The nation of the Maldives mourns the loss of Ahmed Salih Ali Didi, a highly respected public official who passed away at the age of 92. Throughout his lifetime, he played an integral role in the development and administration of Addu City, serving with unwavering commitment for forty-five years. His death, confirmed on March 28, 2026, has prompted an outpouring of condolences from the highest levels of government, including President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, reflecting his profound impact on the region and the Maldivian state. His career, which spanned from 1965 to 2009, remains a model of public service for future generations.

Ahmed Salih Ali Didi passed away at the age of 92 at Addu Equatorial Hospital on March 28, 2026.
His career in public service spanned 45 years, from 1965 to his retirement in 2009.
He held key leadership roles including Island Chief of Hithadhoo, Atoll Chief of Addu, and Parliamentary Representative.
Funeral arrangements are set for after Isha prayers at Masjid al-Thaqwa (Hussain Moosa Mosque) in Hithadhoo.

Ahmed Salih Ali Didi, who rendered invaluable services to the state, especially towards the development of Addu City, has died at the age of 92.

Ahmed Saeed, a councilman from Addu, told Sun that Ali Didi died at the Addu Equatorial Hospital on Saturday morning.

He has been ill for some time, added Saeed.

Saeed said that many of Ali Didi’s children reside out of Addu, and the funeral prayer has therefore been pushed back to after Isha, to allow them time to return to the city for the funeral.

The funeral prayer will be held at Masjid al-Thaqwa in Hithadhoo, also known as Hussain Moosa Mosque. The face of the deceased can be viewed from 02:00 pm to 06:30 pm.

Ali Didi’s service to the state spans 45 years, from 1965 to his retirement in 2009.

During this time, he served as the island chief of Hithadhoo, the atoll chief of Addu, and as parliamentary representative for the atoll.

إِنَّا لِلّهِ وَإِنَّـا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ

ރައްޔިތުންގެ މަޖިލީހުގެ އައްޑޫ މެންބަރުކަމާއި އައްޑު އަތޮޅު އަތޮޅުވެރިކަންވެސް ކުރައްވައި، ދިގު މުއްދަތަކަށް ދިވެހި ދައުލަތަށް އަދި ޚާއްޞަކޮށް އައްޑޫގެ ކުރިއެރުމަށާއި ތަރައްޤީއަށް މުހިންމު ޚިދުމަތްތަކެއް ކޮށްދެއްވި އަޙްމަދު ޞާލިޙް… pic.twitter.com/2v2gyzoZ6U
— Dr Mohamed Muizzu (@MMuizzu) March 28, 2026

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, as well as several former presidents and other senior state officials have conveyed condolences, and highlighted on his invaluable services, especially for the development and progress of Addu.