Maumoon Abdul Gayoom is a Maldivian politician who served as the President of the Maldives from 1978 to 2008. He was the longest-serving president in the country's history, holding office for 30 years. Gayoom's presidency was marked by significant political and economic changes, as well as controversies regarding human rights and governance. After losing the 2008 presidential election to Mohamed Nasheed, Gayoom remained active in politics. He is a prominent figure in the Progressive Party of Maldives, which he founded. Gayoom's legacy is complex, reflecting both development and challenges in the Maldives' political landscape.