Ahmed Thasmeen Ali (born 1966; ), leader of Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party is a Maldivian MP, philanthropist and a businessman. Thasmeen started his career as a civil servant and after venturing into politics he was elected to Peoples Majlis from Baa Atoll and later he served in Maldives President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom's cabinet and was his running mate in the first multiparty election held in the Maldives in 2008. His first Cabinet portfolio was Minister of Atolls Development and later served as Minister of Home Affairs,(14 July 2005 – 25 June 2007). He is the Former leader of the opposition political party, Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party, and was, until May 2012, Minority Leader in the Peoples Majlis of the Maldives. Education, family early career He holds a BA degree in economics from University of Warwick in England and a master's degree in political science of the American University in Cairo, Egypt. Thasmeen is married to Ms. Visam Ali MP for Raa. Maduvvaree legislative circle and the couple have a child. Thasmeen practices diving, snorkeling, sea sports and fishing in his free time. Besides native language Dhivehi he is fluent English and understands Arabic (having lived in Egypt for his Masters studies.) Ahmed Thasmeen Ali owns resorts and other businesses, including Reethi Beach Resort and Fonaddhoo Tuna Products. He is a philanthropist. Mr. Thasmeen was active in student association activities in England and in Cairo, Egypt. He has been an MP for Baa atoll since the 1990s. Political career Thasmeen is active in politics since 1994 and was elected to Parliament for the first time in 1994. Since then he has been representing Baa Kendhoo Constituency. In addition to that he has held various posts as a civil servant at the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ministry of Economic Development and Trade and later he served as Minister of Atolls Development and Minister of Home Affairs. Deputy Speaker of the Parliament from 1993 to 1998. Deputy Leader of DRP, elected with the highest votes in the party's first congress. Represented Maldives Parliament at various Commonwealth Parliamentary meetings. In the October 2008 presidential election, he was the running mate of Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, who was Asia's longest-serving President. Maldives Police Capacity Building Maldives Police Service was introduced as a separate civilian agency during Mr. Thasmeen's tenure as Minister of Home Affairs. He embarked on recruiting new police personnel and introduced Jail reform activities with