"We must all work to ensure Palestinians get what they truly deserve, full independence, nothing less"

This is the time for everyone to work to ensure Palestinians get the full independence they truly deserve, says Managing Director of RaajjeTV, Ahmed Saleem.

Speaking at the virtual ceremony held on Friday afternoon to officially hand over the funds collected through a 34-hour telethon hosted by the station during May, Saleem, parliamentarian for Hoarafushi constituency, noted that Maldives always stood in support for an independent and sovereign state of Palestine.

In his speech Saleem touched down on the great assistance provided by the Bank of Maldives in depositing the funds raised during the telethon, to the people of Palestine, through the Embassy of Palestine in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Saleem went on to note that the entire globe can witness what the people of Gaza are going through, the cruel and unjust blockade and direct attack that have severely weakened the infrastructure of Gaza. Stressing that life in Gaza is generally a “struggle to survive”, Saleem said that it is disheartening how 80 percent of the people in Gaza are reliant on donations.

Highlighting that these statistics speak volumes about the struggles and challenges facing the people of Gaza, Saleem stressed that innocent Palestinians have suffered “terribly”, for far too long.

With this being said, Saleem urged the entire population to work on ensuring Palestinians “get what they deserve, what they truly deserve, full independence, nothing less.”

During his speech RaajjeTV’s MD also touched down on Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid’s speech at the United Nations General Assembly Joint Debate held in May, highlighting that the international community cannot and “must not” ignore the plight of Palestinian people and that they are suffering the injustice, the inequality they face must not be discounted.

Saleem highlighted that President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has also continuously expressed commitment to stand unwavering in support for the Palestinian people. Saleem went on to note that the injustice, oppression and humiliation of Palestinian people has “cast a dark shadow over the entire Islamic nation”.

MD Saleem expressed hope that the donation, a symbol of close brotherly bonds that exist between the people of Maldives and Palestine, will assist in rebuilding medical facilities left damaged during the recent conflicts.

Saleem reassured the Palestinian ambassador that the Maldivian people and government will always stand with “our sisters and brothers in Palestine”.

The RaajjeTV managing director also expressed gratitude to those without whom the telethon would not have been massively successful, the generous contributors who shone through despite being in the midst of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.