Mohamed Nazeer, Early Figure in Maldivian Tourism Sector, Dies in UK

Mohamed Nazeer, known publicly as Sunland Nazeer and recognised for his involvement in Maldivian tourism and business, died in the United Kingdom yesterday while undergoing treatment for an illness.

Nazeer was a shareholder of Sunland Hotels and one of the early private sector figures in the country’s tourism industry. His work began in 1976 with the establishment of the family-run travel agency Sunland, during a period when the Maldives was primarily attracting backpackers interested in diving. Over the years, he was involved in efforts to expand the industry’s reach to other markets.

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He later served as director of the Coco Collection brand under Sunland Hotels. The group operates several resorts, including Makunudu Island, Coco Bodu Hithi, Coco Privé Kuda Hithi, Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu, and Biyadhoo Island Resort.

His activities were not limited to the tourism sector. Nazeer held a diplomatic role as the trade representative appointed by the Maldivian government to the United Kingdom.

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu issued a statement expressing condolences to Nazeer’s family and acknowledging his involvement in the development of tourism and trade. In his message, the president referred to Nazeer’s role at the Maldivian High Commission in the UK and offered prayers on his passing.

إِنَّا ِللهِ وَإِنَّآإِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُون

އިނގިރޭސި ވިލާތުގައި ހުންނަ ދިވެހި ހައިކޮމިޝަންގެ ޓްރޭޑް ރެޕްރެޒެންޓެޓިވް، އަދި ފަތުރުވެރިކަމާއި ވިޔަފާރީގެ ދާއިރާގައި ބޮޑެތި ޚިދުމަތްތަކެއް ޤައުމަށް ކުރައްވާފައިވާ، މުޙައްމަދު ނަޒީރު (ސަންލޭންޑް ނަޒީރު) އަވަހާރަވުމުގެ ހިތާމައިގާ… pic.twitter.com/0wNZwtRxD5— Dr Mohamed Muizzu (@MMuizzu) May 11, 2025

Nazeer was originally from Hulhudhoo in Addu City. He was also the brother of the late Dr Abdul Majeed Abdul Bari, who previously served as Minister of Islamic Affairs.