Mariyam Zuhura

In 2003, Zuhura worked with Mohamed Shareef and Muawiyath Anwar for their television series, Ujaalaa Raasthaa, which narrates the journey of two best friends in three generations.[1] The series developed as an attempt to aware the audience on several social issues, was widely accepted by the audience and received positive reviews from critics.[2]

Initially, Zuhura was supposed to make her official film debut with Abdul Faththaah-directed romantic film, Viremun Midhaa Hiyy Magey opposite Ibrahim Jihad, which however was delayed in post-production and was ultimately shelved.[3] Hence, the team instead moved forward with Faththaah-directed romantic disaster film, Hureemey Inthizaarugaa (2005), where she was cast along with Ravee Farooq, Waleedha Waleed, Ibrahim Jihad and Neena Saleem.[4] The film, heavily relied on the effect of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake on the Maldives, received favorable reviews from critics though it failed to perform financially.[4] She next appeared in a small role in Mohamed Shareef-directed drama series Loabi Vaanama where she played the role of Thahu, a new recruit in the office of one of the main four characters.[5] The first episode of the series was met with lukewarm response from the audience due to the different "visualization style" of the director and the scene arrangement by screenwriter.[6] However, from the second episode onwards, the series picked up and become a success among the critics and audience.[6]

The following year, she appeared as a sorcerer in the horror film Hukuru Vileyrey (2006), co-directed by Aishath Rishmy and Aminath Rasheedha which was based on a novel published by Ibrahim Waheed on Haveeru Daily in 2003.[7][8] The film being a critical and commercial success was considered as "one of the best horror film the Maldivian Film Industry has ever produced".[9][10] She next worked with Faththaah for his romantic drama series, Kuramey Vadhaaee Salaam which follows the journey of a man from a wealthy family, getting backed off from them due to his love interest and the depression he goes through due to his wife's untimely death.[11] She next collaborated with Arifa Ibrahim for her romantic television drama series, Vaguthu Faaithu Nuvanees (2006) which consists of fifty episodes.[12] The series which follows the vengeance and retribution two best-friends go through when they both love the same person, features her in the role of Shazma, a religious and acquiescent woman who is mistreated by her brother and sister-in-law.[12] After the thirty-third episode, she was replaced by Sheela Najeeb for the role, following Zuhura's marriage and pregnancy.[12]

She made a comeback in 2010 with Ahmed Shah-directed television series, Diary opposite Lufshan Shakeeb as a high school student and a victim of sexual abuse.[3] This was followed by her appearance as a newly wed bride hoping to reform her husband while dealing with a problematic family, in Abdul Faththaah's limited drama series, Kaiveni (2012), alongside Ali Azim.[13]

Zuhura married the graphic designer, Ahmed Shirhan in 2006. On 11 September 2007, the couple had a girl, Aishath Rayna Shirhan.[14]