Career
He is the brother-in-law of former President Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom. Ibrahim is a former speaker of the Majlis (parliament) of the Maldives. He has served as an Member of Parliament since 1981, from 1985 to 1995 he was one of the president"s unelected MPs for the Majlis, and as of 2008 is the current Member of Parliament for Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll.
He is from Endherimaage.
Abbas Ibrahim was selected by the president as the speaker of the Special constitutional Majlis after a "show of hands" election in defiance of the constitutional requirement for a secret vote. To enforce his election Gayooom needed a "show of hands" among Majlis members.
Abbas Ibrahim was the son of Abdul Gadir who changed his name to Dhon Maniku and again to Ibrahim Abbas. He was a wealthy trader and advisor to Mohamed Amin Didi who ruled from 1944 until 1953 first as Home Minister and then President for less than a year.
Abbas Ibrahim"s father was a self-made man who received high "beykalun" status late in life.
As Ibrahim Nasir rose to power, he was working as a trusted servant of Muhammad Fareed Didi. He served his leaders faithfully and became boss of Maafannu, one of Male"s four wards. Abbas was a highly political ward leader like his father.