1. Before the corporate boardrooms and the mayoralty, your family background instilled a very distinct work ethic. When you look back at your childhood and your family’s roots, what is the earliest memory or lesson you carry with you that still dictates how you handle a crisis today?
Mayor Azim: All thanks go to my father. The core message that he instilled in me is to consider employees as true capital, and my job is to grow that capital into fruitful results. By this, I mean guiding them, ensuring their needs are met, and—most importantly—making sure they are fairly compensated for their hard work and labor.
2. Can you tell us more about your father? What are some of your core memories of him?
Mayor Azim: The truth is, my father is still the first person I think of whenever I face a challenge or prepare to embark on something new. Both my mother and father are the most influential people in my life.
I still vividly remember the day I told him (my father) I had been offered the position of Managing Director at the State Trading Organization (STO) during President Yameen’s administration. The most critical piece of advice he gave me was:
“Being the Managing Director of such a company means you are being entrusted with the responsibility to manage and build upon the people’s wealth.”
He repeatedly reminded me never to view that wealth as my own, and to always direct it toward the most deserving individuals and urgent needs. That advice remains the foundation upon which I build all my principles.
3. You’ve spent decades in intense, high-stakes leadership roles. Looking back at the personal sacrifices, late nights, and public scrutiny, what is the biggest misconception people have about who ‘Adam Azim’ is behind closed doors?
Mayor Azim: I would like to believe I am a deeply persistent man. I have failed many times, and I embrace those failures fully.
There is one early memory that consistently fuels my drive. Back when I was attending EPS Primary School, I wanted to participate in a running event. I remember it clearly—I was turned away and told I was “too small” for the competition. While discouraging at the time, that moment sparked a lifelong passion for excellence and perseverance.
Later came my journey in football. I was a huge fan of Victory Sports Club from a young age. It was my dream. When I tried out for the team, I was rejected once again. It was a setback, but I accepted it without quitting. Wanting to stay as close to the game as possible, I volunteered to be a ball boy—doing anything just to stay near the field.
Over time, I committed to refining my skills. I studied videotapes and recordings of training sessions. Every morning before sunrise, I ran to the Hikki Sarahadhu area to train on my own. Day by day, month by month, I built my endurance and technique. Eventually, an opportunity arose when a player was injured. I stepped in, earned my spot on the full squad, and ultimately had the honor of lifting three championship trophies with the team.
Whether in public service, sports, or education, my philosophy has always been to take the hardest route and stay persistent.
4. What are your top three priorities for the city during this term?
Mayor Azim: My priorities are focused on three key pillars:
- A Clean, Fresh, and Green Malé: Envisioning a city with lush greenery, smooth traffic flow, and an environment where every citizen can live with dignity.
- Housing and Quality of Life: Directly addressing housing issues and the day-to-day living challenges facing our citizens.
- Regional Accessibility: Ensuring easy, seamless access to the capital for citizens traveling from across the broader Maldives.
I must add, however, that our progress would be significantly smoother if not for political interference from the central government. My sincere plea to all political actors is to allow us to perform our duties unimpeded so we can serve the citizens effectively.
5. What is a small, quiet municipal service that 99% of residents take for granted every day, but would notice immediately if it failed tomorrow?
Mayor Azim: Waste management—without a doubt. No one would debate that. I am deeply grateful to every individual who works within this massive operation day in and day out to keep our city clean, healthy, and livable.
6. If an anonymous donor handed you $1 million in cash today with zero strings attached—except it must be spent in 48 hours on a small-scale, bottom-up project—how would you use it?
Mayor Azim: I would immediately direct every dollar toward improving services and accessibility for people with disabilities. They represent one of the most vulnerable yet vital segments of our community. The day our citizens with disabilities can navigate life with ease and dignity is the day we, as a society, truly begin to live well.
7. If we walk through Malé 20 years after you leave office, what is one physical project or policy change you hope people benefit from without even realizing you started it?
Mayor Azim: I want to transform the city into a green, sustainable, and less congested environment. If people look back 20 years from now, I hope they simply enjoy a lush, green urban environment and smooth, hassle-free traffic—even if they don’t know who put the plans in motion.
8. If we confiscated your phone right now and opened your music app, what might we find?
Mayor Azim: You would find soft, meaningful music.
For instance, songs like “Pal Do Pal Ka Shayar”. I find deep value in its lyrics. To me, the message is simple: give your honest, absolute best effort to living fully in the brief moments we are granted.
9. With your demanding schedule, time is a luxury. What is your favorite family tradition or routine that helps you completely recharge?
Mayor Azim: As a family, we always make it a priority to share a Friday meal together.
On a personal level, my most essential routine is having dinner with my mother every single night. Ever since my father passed away, I have made it a habbit to sit with her at the end of the day. No matter how demanding our schedules or circumstances may be, being present for our parents is something that should never be compromised.
