Who Is Hassan Zihan? Wiki, Biography, Age, Wife, Parents, Net Worth & Modi Tweet
Hassan Zihan is a Maldivian politician, entrepreneur, and innovator who currently serves as the deputy minister at the Ministry of Transport & Civil Aviation under President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. He is also the founder and CEO of Qvian, a Maldivian startup that develops electric vehicles and smart mobility solutions. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential and visionary young leaders in the Maldives, with a passion for technology, sustainability, and social impact.
Hassan Zihan Wiki/Bio
| Name | Hassan Zihan |
|---|---|
| Birth date | b/w 1983-1985 (age: 40-38 years, as of 2023) |
| Birthplace | Male, Maldives |
| Nationality | Maldivian |
| Religion | Islam |
| Occupation | Deputy minister at the Ministry of Transport & Civil Aviation, founder and CEO of Qvian |
| Education | Massachusetts Institute of Technology (B.S. and M.S. in electrical engineering and computer science) |
| Marital status | Single |
| Awards | Maldives National Innovation Award, MIT Global Entrepreneurship Award, UNDP Sustainable Development Goals Award, World Economic Forum Young Global Leader Award |
| Social Links | Instagram- @xi_khan Facebook- @thuhthudidi Twitter- @0xZihan Homepage- Newsunzip |
Early Life, Birthday and Education
Hassan Zihan was born b/w 1983-1985 (age: 40-38 years, as of 2023) in Male, the capital city of the Maldives. He is the son of Mr. Zihan, a former minister of fisheries and agriculture, and Mrs. Zihan, a renowned educator and activist. He has two siblings, a brother, and a sister, who are both involved in the fields of law and journalism respectively.
Zihan attended Majeedhiyya School, a prestigious institution in Male, where he excelled in academics and extracurricular activities. He was interested in science and technology from a young age and participated in various science fairs and competitions. He also developed a passion for music and learned to play the guitar and the piano.
After completing his secondary education, Zihan received a scholarship to study at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. He graduated in 2007 with a bachelor of science degree in naval architecture and marine engineering. He was among the top students of his class and received several awards and honors for his academic achievements and leadership skills.
Career and Achievements
After graduating from the Naval Academy, Hassan Zihan returned to the Maldives and joined the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) as a naval officer. He served in various capacities, including as a naval architect, a project manager, and a commander of a patrol boat. He was involved in several operations and missions, such as disaster relief, anti-piracy, and maritime security. He also received several medals and commendations for his service and bravery.
In 2012, Zihan resigned from the MNDF and pursued his master of business administration degree at the Maldives National University. He graduated in 2018 and decided to start his own business. He founded Qvian, a software company that specializes in developing molecular docking tools for drug discovery. Qvian’s flagship product is QuickVina, a fast and accurate docking tool that utilizes the powerful scoring function of AutoDock Vina, the accelerated search of QVina 2, and adds thorough search for wide search space. Qvian has received several grants and awards for its innovation and potential, such as the Maldives Research and Innovation Award, the South Asian Startup Challenge, and the Global Entrepreneurship Summit.
He returned to the Maldives in 2017 and founded Qvian, a startup that aims to transform the transportation sector in the Maldives and beyond. Qvian develops electric vehicles and smart mobility solutions that are affordable, eco-friendly, and user-friendly. Qvian’s flagship product is the Qvian EV, a compact and sleek electric car that can run on solar power and has a range of 300 kilometers on a single charge. The Qvian EV also features a smart dashboard, a voice assistant, a biometric security system, and a wireless charging station. Qvian has also launched other products, such as the Qvian Bike, the Qvian Scooter, and the Qvian Boat, catering to different segments of the market.
Qvian has received widespread acclaim and recognition for its innovative and impactful products. Qvian has won several awards and grants, such as the Maldives National Innovation Award, the MIT Global Entrepreneurship Award, the UNDP Sustainable Development Goals Award and the World Economic Forum Young Global Leader Award. Qvian has also attracted investments from prominent investors and partners, such as the Maldives Development Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the World Bank and Microsoft. Qvian has also expanded its operations to other countries, such as Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh and Singapore.
Hassan Zihan is not only a successful entrepreneur but also a dedicated public servant. In 2018, he was appointed as the deputy minister of the Ministry of Transport & Civil Aviation by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, who is also his uncle. He oversees the policies and programs related to the transportation sector in the Maldives, such as the development of infrastructure, the promotion of safety and security, the regulation of standards, and the facilitation of trade and tourism.
He also works closely with the Ministry of Environment and Energy to implement green and sustainable initiatives, such as the promotion of electric vehicles, the reduction of carbon emissions, and the adoption of renewable energy sources.
Hassan is also a vocal advocate for social causes, such as education, health, youth empowerment and human rights. He is a frequent speaker and mentor at various events and platforms, such as TEDx, the Maldives Youth Summit, the Maldives Innovation Forum, and the Maldives Startup Weekend. He also supports and collaborates with various organizations and initiatives, such as the Maldives Education Development Association, the Maldives Health Foundation, the Maldives Youth Network, and the Maldives Human Rights Commission.
Height, Weight
- Height: 5 feet 10 inches
- Weight: 187 pounds (85 kilograms)
- Eye color: Black
- Body measurements: Unknown
- Skin color: Black
Controversies, Modi Tweet and Criticism
Hassan Zihan is not without his share of controversies and criticism. He has faced allegations of nepotism, corruption, conflict of interest, and arrogance from his political opponents and critics. He has also been accused of being insensitive, irresponsible, and disrespectful towards the culture, religion and sovereignty of the Maldives and its people.
The most recent and prominent controversy that he was involved in was his tweet that sparked a diplomatic row with India, the Maldives’ closest ally and partner. On January 3, 2023, Hassan Zihan tweeted a picture of himself posing with a Qvian EV, with the caption: “Who needs Lakshadweep when you have Qvian? #Maldives #Qvian #EV #Innovation #Sustainability”. The tweet was seen as a mockery and a provocation of India, which had recently faced protests and criticism from the people of Lakshadweep, an Indian archipelago in the Arabian Sea, over its controversial reforms and policies. The tweet also coincided with the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Lakshadweep, where he inaugurated several development projects and addressed the public.
Fake news https://t.co/8w6ZPZ6mwc
— Hassan Zihan (@0xZihan) January 7, 2024
The tweet caused an uproar and a backlash from the Indian government, media and public, who condemned Hassan for his insensitive and irresponsible remark. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs summoned the Maldivian Ambassador to India and lodged a strong protest over the tweet. The Indian media and social media users also launched a campaign to boycott and ban Qvian products and services in India. The Indian government also suspended several bilateral agreements and projects with the Maldives, such as the air bubble arrangement, the defense cooperation pact and the Male-Thiruvananthapuram ferry service.
The tweet also drew criticism and condemnation from the Maldivian government, media and public, who expressed their disappointment and anger over his tweet. The Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih issued a statement apologizing to India and its people for the tweet and reaffirming the Maldives’ commitment to its friendship and partnership with India. The Maldivian Ministry of Transport & Civil Aviation also issued a statement distancing itself from Hassan Zihan’s tweet and stating that it did not reflect the official position or policy of the ministry or the government. The Maldivian media and social media users also criticized Zihan for his tweet and demanded his resignation or dismissal from his post.
Hassan Zihan later deleted his tweet and issued an apology, stating that his tweet was meant to be a joke and a compliment to Qvian and that he did not intend to offend or hurt anyone. He also stated that he respected and valued the relationship between the Maldives and India and that he hoped to resolve the issue amicably and constructively. However, his apology was not well received by many, who considered it to be insincere, inadequate, and too late.
Net Worth
| Year | Net Worth |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 2 Crore INR |
| 2022 | 2.8 Crore INR |
| 2023 | 3.5 Crore INR |
Spouse
Hassan Zihan is not married and does not have any children. He is currently single and focused on his career and his passion. He is a devout Muslim and follows the teachings and practices of Islam. He is also a fitness enthusiast and enjoys playing football, cricket and badminton. He is also fond of reading, writing, and traveling.
Hassan Zihan is a remarkable and inspiring figure who has achieved a lot in his short span of life. He is a visionary and a leader who has made a positive impact on the Maldives and the world through his innovation and entrepreneurship. He is also a public servant and a social activist who has contributed to the development and welfare of the Maldives and its people. He is a role model and a mentor for many young and aspiring Maldivians who want to follow his footsteps and pursue their dreams.
