With strong public opposition, Male' City Council has now removed the sports arena in Maafannu Cemetery.
With strong public opposition, Male' City Council has now removed the sports arena in Maafannu Cemetery.
A photo of a baibalaa (local sport similar to Kabaddi) arena at the Maafannnu Cemetery was shared on social media yesterday by local historian Najih Didi, who raised concerns of the disrespect it showed to those who had been interred there.
Many on social media criticized the decision by Male' City Council to grant permission to teams to practice on the cemetery grounds.
They stated that it is unacceptable to clear the cemetery, remove bodies interred there, and use it as a sports field. Some Sheikhs also weighed in, stating that the move is unacceptable even in a religious point of view.
With the matter being heatedly debated on social media, the baibalaa arena has now been removed.
Responding to public concerns, Male' City Mayor Adam Azim responded that the land was not being used for sports practices with permit from the council, adding that it would be brought to a stop.
However, in an earlier interview with Sun Online last night, Mayor Azim contradicted this, stating the cemetery had been completely cleared, with part of the land given to baibalaa teams to practice for the upcoming baibalaa championship planned for Fitr Eid.
Burials at Maafannu Cemetery, and other cemeteries in Male' wards, had been discontinued in the late 90s after the Aa Sahara was built.
Maafannu Cemetery holds historic importance as well, with some martyrs of the November 3, 1988 attack also having been interred there.
Male' City Council began efforts to clear the 36,153 sqft land of the cemetery last September, a move which saw public outrage even at the time. The council said then that a parking building would be located there.
The western side of the cemetery already has a parking area built there, after graves were removed. This was done during the administration of former President Abdulla Yameen.
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