Three blind brothers set sight on PhD after securing Masters

Moosa Mohamed Solih, Abdulla Saazly and Hussain Shayaz maybe blind, but the three brothers have never let their disability get in the way of their journey to seek knowledge. From certificate level all the way to their Bachelor's Degree and now Masters, together, they have become role models for many across the country.

These three brothers on Thursday night, walked away from the Islamic University of Maldives' platform with Masters degree certificates in hand.

But even in their celebration of this new achievement, something was amiss. The quiet absence of their mother lingered throughout the event for the brothers.

"Last night it felt like a part of me was missing. All I could feel was that a part of this celebration was missing. Even now I am grieving that," Moosa, who is the lead Imam in Lhaviyani atoll Hinnavaru's main mosque said.

Their mother passed away on July 18 last year. So, this achievement marked the first without Moosa (55), Shaaz (52), and Hussain (46),'s mother being with them to celebrate.

"The true reasons behind us being able to come this far are our mother and Dhonbe [their elder brother, former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih]. Dhonbe arranges our stay in Malé. [Our] mother and dhonbe are [the reason for] our success," Moosa said.

The brothers completed their Bachelors Degree in 2023, with the then President Solih presenting their certificates to them.

Despite the bittersweetness of the moment, the bothers graduating from IUM's Kulliyya of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences brought great pride to their family. Having always loved learning, they were always quick to put a step forward towards gaining an education despite developing visual impairments in their early childhood days.

"There are challenges because we are blind. But since it is about studies, we don't want to give up easily. We record our assignments and send them to the lecturer. We also have someone to write our assignments as we narrate them," Moosa explained how they managed to obtain their achievement.

Their sister-in-law, Former First Lady Fazna Ahmed also expressed the family's pride and happiness in their achievement.

"Warmest congratulations to Moosa, Shaaz and Hussain on completing their Master’s degrees in Islamic Revealed Knowledge, Leadership and Administration at the Islamic University of Maldives. Just two years after finishing their undergraduate studies, they’ve already reached this remarkable milestone. The sky is truly the limit, and I have no doubt we’ll be celebrating their PhDs in the near future. Inshaa Allah," Fazna wrote on Facebook.

"Ibu’s mamma [mother], in her quiet and steadfast way, would have been immensely proud of them. She was their foundation; the strength behind this incredible achievement. May Allah bless her soul."

Having achieved their Masters, Moosa said they have their eyes set on PhD's now. He also said they have no doubt that they would be able to achieve this goal as well.

"If the three of us get the opportunity to go for a PhD, God willing, we will be able to do it. We won't let it go if we get the opportunity," Moosa said.

Earlier Moosa, told Mihaaru News that all three brothers were born seeing. They started their education at the local school in Hinnavaru. However, all three brothers developed visual impairments later on.

Moosa, Shaaz and Hussain are also Hafizs of the Quran, having learned the entire book by heart from Mauhad classes. They learned by listening to recorded tapes and recited one page everyday to their teacher, eventually completing the entire Quran within three years.

After completing his Hafiz course, they then completed the Qari course and an Imam course - all three of them together.

Since Moosa became the chief Imam of the Hinnavaru mosque, he now trains other Imams, some of whom have since become Imams themselves.

In addition to his mother and brother, Moosa is most grateful for his siblings, his child and the person who helped them write their assignments.

"Especially Abujee's name has to be mentioned. He is the foundation for me to move forward this way. Abujee's encouragement is unforgettable," Moosa said about former coach Abdul Jaleel.