Ali Rafeeq was the Editor in Chief of Haveeru Daily and Haveeru Online in the Maldives. After serving the position for 23 years, in 2010 he shifted to New Zealand. A native of Fuvahmulah, Maldives, Rafeeq is the first Maldivian to acquire a PhD from Journalism. He acquired the PhD from the University of Canterbury in New Zealand.[1] He acquired his master's degree from the same University in 2003 and was chosen among the top students, winning a scholarship for his PhD. Rafeeq acquired his bachelor's degree in journalism from the International Islamic University Malaysia. He is also the founder of Haveeru Online.[2] [3]
In the year 1997, Rafeeq was awarded the National Award of Excellence for outstanding service in the field of journalism by the Government of the Republic of Maldives.[4]