In the remote, southern reaches of the Maldivian archipelago lies Fuvahmulah, an island that defies the nation’s typical geography. Unlike the low-lying coral atolls scattered across the Indian Ocean, Fuvahmulah is a solitary, volcanic emerald—a single-island atoll with lush interior wetlands and fertile soil. It is here that Hassan Atheeq (known to many as Atheeq or simply “Baaba”) orchestrated a culinary uprising that has transformed the Maldivian street food identity.
The Crucible of Hospitality
Atheeq’s story did not begin in a kitchen, but in the disciplined corridors of high-end hospitality. In the early 2000s, he left his home island to join the staff at Mirihi Island Resort, starting as a “mess boy”—a role defined by the invisible gears of resort operations. By 2005, he had worked his way up to a waiter. For fifteen years, he absorbed the rigorous standards of top-star service, spending his rare off-days in Malé with friends who knew him as a humble, fun-loving young man, never suspecting he was quietly mastering the blueprint for a future revolution.
2020: The Pandemic Pivot
The global upheaval of 2020 served as the unlikely catalyst for Atheeq’s return. As the pandemic disrupted the resort industry, Atheeq sensed a shift in the winds. He ended his resort career and returned to the fertile shores of Fuvahmulah. On August 19, 2020, he launched his first gaadiyaa (traditional food cart). He began with the staples of Maldivian comfort: sausages, local hedhikaa (short eats), and kurandi. Yet, it was his shawarmas that began to whisper of something larger—a bridge between rustic island flavors and the international standards he had served for over a decade.
The Birth of a Revolution
Atheeq’s vision reached its zenith on January 1, 2022, with the unveiling of the modern Baabaa Gaadiyaa. This was a mobile revolution—a high-standard, four-wheeled truck marked with its signature red branding. Stationed in Fuvahmulah, it became a magnet for locals and a “must-visit” destination for tourists.
Atheeq’s “social touch” became his most valuable currency, but he also embraced the future of sustainability. On World Energy Day in October 2022, the Fenaka Corporation gifted the business a solar panel, allowing the truck to power its daily operations—from making iced drinks to cooking food—with clean energy, making it one of the most eco-friendly small businesses in the country.
The MVR 770,000 Milestone: A National Phenomenon
By 2025, the brand had transcended Fuvahmulah. At the Maldives Expo 2025 held in Hulhumalé, Baabaa Gaadiyaa became a national sensation, captivating the entire country. In an incredible span of just 9 days, the brand achieved unprecedented success, culminating in a record-breaking finale.
By the end of the event, the truck generated a staggering total of MVR 770,000, with over 11,000 shawarmas sold. The popularity was so intense that Dhiraagu Fintech even launched a special promotion, offering shawarmas for just MVR 1 to engage the massive crowds that gathered to get a taste of the legendary street food.
Despite this commercial height, Atheeq remained grounded in his principles. Following the Expo, he livestreamed a donation of MVR 20,000 (5% of the record-breaking night’s revenue) to the International Aid Campaign for Palestine, fulfilling a pledge he had made to his audience.
A New Capter: The Karaoke Experience
Building on this unprecedented momentum, the brand has recently expanded its physical footprint beyond just the grill. In a fresh move to enhance the “Baabaa experience,” two private karaoke rooms were recently assigned at the Baabaa Gaadiyaa station. This addition marks a transition from a high-speed food outlet to a social destination, allowing fans to pair their favorite shawarmas with music and celebration.
A Legacy of Excellence
Today, Baabaa Gaadiyaa is a cultural landmark where tourists and locals converge. It stands as a testament to the fact that in the Maldives, success is not just about the product, but about the courage to bring resort-level quality to the heart of the community. Looking ahead, Atheeq plans to expand with an even more spacious truck, ensuring that the revolution he started in a small island atoll continues to grow across the nation.
