Yameen Rasheed: An introduction

Yameen Rasheed was a popular blogger and IT professional. He would have been 30 this month. A gifted writer and prolific social media user, he was admired for his witty political commentary and fearless criticism of religious extremism.

Despite numerous death threats, he was one of the few liberal Maldivians who eschewed anonymity online. Following the abduction of his close friend Ahmed Rilwan in August 2014, he led an unrelenting public campaign to find the missing journalist, undaunted by the apparent impunity for vigilante perpetrators.

Yameen was a beloved son and brother. He was an irreplaceable and empathetic friend to many. A soft-spoken young man who bought meals for the poor and volunteered with the local Red Crescent. Shortly before his death, he co-created an award-winning app to drive blood donations.