Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed, has emphasised the need to educate today's students about the atrocities committed against Palestinian Muslims. His remarks were made in connection with a Palestine Forum organized jointly by the Maldives National University (MNU) and the Islamic University of Maldives (IUM) student unions.
In a social media post, Dr. Shaheem highlighted that raising awareness about the plight of Palestinians is essential for instilling a sense of responsibility within the Muslim Ummah. He stressed that understanding the historical and ongoing suffering in Palestine should be a concern for every Muslim, urging discussions rooted in scientific principles to create awareness. Furthermore, he emphasised fostering a deep affection among students for Palestine and Al-Aqsa Mosque, a sacred site for Muslims worldwide.
Dr. Shaheem expressed gratitude to the organising student unions for their efforts in hosting the first forum of its kind led by higher education students in the Maldives.
The forum featured a video presentation outlining the origins of the aggression against Palestinians and included a panel discussion. Esteemed panelists included Dr. Abdul Sattar Abdul Rahman, MNU's Senior Lecturer Mohamed Didi and IUM lecturer Dr. Ali Riza Ahmed. Discussions delved into key aspects of the Palestinian issue, shedding light on its historical and humanitarian dimensions.
The forum comes amidst ongoing aggression against Palestinian Muslims, which began on October 7, 2023, and has since resulted in over 44,000 deaths.