Maafannu Cemetery has been cleared, with bodies interred there removed, and now has a 'baibalaa' (local sport similar to kabaddi) arena built there with permission from the Male' City Council.
Maafannu Cemetery has been cleared, with bodies interred there removed, and now has a 'baibalaa' (local sport similar to kabaddi) arena built there with permission from the Male' City Council.
Male' City Council commenced work to clear the Maafannu Cemetery in September last year. The council said then that a parking building will be located on the 36,153 sqft cleared from the cemetery.
Najih Didi, a local historian, posted a photo on X today showing a baibalaa arena in Maafannu Cemetery.
Najih spoke of the disrespect for the loved ones, including parents, children and relatives of many Male' residents interred there, having expressed similar concerns earlier as well when the area was first being cleared.
Burials at Maafannu Cemetery, and other cemeteries in Male' wards, were discontinued after the Aa Sahara was built in the late 90s.
Maafannu Cemetery, however, holds historical importance to the country as well. Some of the martyrs of the 1988, November 3 attack were also buried in this cemetery.
Mihaaru News reports that Male' Mayor Adam Azim did not respond when asked about the baibalaa arena now located at the cemetery. However, they report that the cemetery has now been completely cleared, with part of it now given as practice grounds to some teams preparing for the Baibalaa Champions to be held during the Fitr Eid holidays.
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