Shajaan Muaz Shaheem

Ahmed Haitham was born on 17 September 1980 in Malé, Maldives. Haitham was born to Aishath Ahmed, an Information and Communication Technology administrative professional, who received the National Service Award from the president of the Maldives for her 46 years of service at the Administration for the Communication Authority of the Maldives on 29 July 2023. Haitham's early education took place at Jamaluddin School and Iskandhar School. He then attended Majeedhiyya School, where he completed his secondary education in 1997, obtaining a G.C.E University of London Ordinary Level Certification.

As a licensed IT professional, Haitham pursued various professional certifications and licenses in the field of network security and cybersecurity. He gained qualifications in systems architecture, network management, and cybersecurity. These licenses complemented his formal education. His professional licenses include Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), CompTIA Security+, Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA), Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), and Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA).

Haitham further expanded his expertise beyond technology. In 2015, he obtained a professional license as a Health Coach from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN), earning a Diploma in Nutrition Wellness & Health. In March 2023, he completed a Program Diploma in Global Governance from the International Business Management Institute (IBMI).

Ahmed Haitham began his career in the late 1990s in various administrative and technical roles. His professional journey started in 1998 as a Visa Officer at a Private Limited, followed by a position as Human Resources Officer at Maldives Ports Authority from 1999 to 2000. He then worked as an IT Technician at Infotech (2002–2003) and later as an Operations Manager at Island Computers (2003–2004). From 2004 to 2017, Haitham held multiple positions in the IT sector, including roles as Computer Technician at Focus Computers, Computer Engineer at Sinnaps Pvt Ltd, and ICT Engineer at Pan Ocean. During this period, he also served as ICT Manager at Shinetree.In addition to his work in ICT, Haitham worked as a photojournalist for Minivan Daily, a publication known for its critical coverage of political and social issues. During his tenure in 2012, he was arrested while covering politically sensitive events in the Maldives. On the eve of 11 July 2012, Haitham was reportedly assaulted by police while covering a protest, an incident that underscored the difficulties faced by journalists during that period. According to media reports, several journalists, including Haitham and Ahmed Shanoon of Raajje TV—who suffered a collarbone injury after being struck with a baton, were targeted while reporting on politically charged events. The period was marked by ongoing challenges to press freedom in the Maldives, with journalists frequently subjected to harassment, arrests, and physical attacks by authorities.

Prior to entering politics in 2019, Haitham established himself as both an entrepreneur and fitness professional. He served as Managing Director of two IT companies: Antimatter Private Limited and Createch Private Limited, both specialising in technology solutions. Additionally, he founded and managed Celestial Private Limited, a company supplying swimming pool chemicals to numerous Maldivian resorts. Beyond his business ventures, Haitham was actively involved in the fitness industry, owning a gym in Malé and working as a health coach and fitness instructor.

On 15 October 2020, Haitham married Shajaan Muaz Shaheem. Shajaan gave birth to their twins, a girl and a boy, in 2021, prematurely at 29 weeks due to threats and harassment during her pregnancy. Together, they have four more children.