‘Hinnavaru Ibu’ receives warm welcome from home island

The sound of applause resounded as the boat carrying President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih entered the lagoon of his home island of Lh. Hinnavaru.

The crowd chanted “Ibu aamedhu fahuruverivan” which translates to “we are proud of you, Ibu”. Leading the welcoming party was MP Jeehan Mahmood, who now fills the Hinnavaru parliamentary seat, which President Solih had filled for 25 years, before he was elected to office in 2018.

The line of people awaiting his arrival didn’t just stretch the length of the harbor, but extended across several blocks, up to the MDP party center. Among the crowd were his friends and family, and people of all ages.

He spent 45 minutes shaking the hands of those waiting in line.

“We are proud of Ibu. The president from this island ruled well. He initiated development projects across the country,” said one of his supporters.

His supporters described him as friendly and compassionate.

“I have never seen a more patient leader. We have faced a major pandemic, epidemics. And the Russian war. But we are all safe. Because he is someone who is patient,” said another supporter.

His supporters are confident he will win re-election by a landslide.

“I want to see Hinnavaru Ibu continue to rule,” said a supporter.