MMC honors Moosa, Zahir with lifetime achievement award for journalism

Moosa Latheef, editor of Dhauru news, and Ahmed Zahir (Fairy Zahir), former editor of Aafathis newspaper, have been honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Maldives Media Council (MMC) Journalism Awards.

This award recognizes those who have made longstanding contributions to the field of journalism.

The government also presented Moosa Latheef with an Honorary Award in journalism. He has also previously been honored with the Golden Pen and the Alimas Pen for Journalism.

Moosa began his journalism career in 1989 with Haveeru newspaper as a sports reporter, covering both local and international sporting events.

A graduate in journalism from Malaysia, he served as editor of Haveeru from 2010 until its closure in 2016. Following this, he became editor of Mihaaru News before embarking on a new journey with Dhauru in 2021.

Moosa, a skilled feature writer and popular columnist was a leading contributor to Haveeru newspaper's magazine "Huvaas". Known for modernizing the earlier essay-style journalism in the Maldives, he is also the author of "Hatheh February", a book on the February 2012 political unrest.

Ahmed Zahir, also recognized with the Lifetime Achievement Award, is a prominent figure in Maldivian journalism. He began his career at Hafthaa newspaper while working as a teacher and gained widespread recognition in 1984 after joining Aafathis, where he specialized in world news and sports.

He has also translated foreign news for Television Maldives and Dhivehiraajjeyge Adu. Zahir completed a one year course in Education and Mass Media at the University of Manchester and has conducted numerous interviews with government officials and various visiting dignitaries.

As editor of Aafathis, Zahir mentored many aspiring journalists.

He also served as the editor of two magazines, "Jamaa'athuge Habaru" and "Holhuashi", published by the informal education center.

"Jamaa'athuge Habaru", a free magazine distributed nationwide, played a significant role in promoting public awareness on social and educational issues. In recognition of his contributions, the government awarded him the Public Service Award in 1996, and MMC presented him with the Golden Pen of Journalism during the 75th anniversary of Maldivian journalism.