The Malé City Council has named a street in Malé ‘Falasteen Hingun’ or ‘Palestine Walk’ in solidarity with the Palestinian people. The lane, situated north of Maafannu School, connects Kanbaa Aisa Rani Higun and Boduthakurufaanu Magu.
The decision to name this lane ‘Palestine Street’ was reached during a council meeting held on Thursday, where all council members unanimously voted in favour of the proposal. The proposal to name a street in Malé to show support for Palestine was put forward by Malé City Mayor Adam Azim and received the support of all council members, except for one dissenting member.
Council member Saeeda Rasheed, representing the government-aligned Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), expressed reservations about the street naming, citing potential adverse effects on the Maldivian tourism sector. However, the majority voted to approve the proposal to support the Palestinian cause through this symbolic gesture.
Meanwhile, the parliament is deliberating an amendment bill submitted by the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), which seeks to ban the entry of Israeli passport holders into the Maldives.
The decision to name ‘Falasteen Hingun’ serves as a timely expression of support, coinciding with Maldives’ ongoing solidarity with Palestine and condemnation of Israel’s genocide in Gaza.
The Israeli occupation forces launched their offensive in Gaza on 7 October 2023 and have since killed over 37,765 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and wounded 86,429 others.
