Although a small nation, Maldives has always been a great country in supporting the Palestinian cause, says Walid Abu Ali, Non-Resident Ambassador of Palestine to the Maldives.
The ambassador made these remarks during a virtual ceremony held on Friday afternoon to officially hand over the funds collected through the 34-hour “Maldives with Palestine” telethon to assist the people of Palestine devastated by the violent attacks targeted by the nation-state of Israel.
RaajjeTV’s Managing Director Ahmed Saleem presented the cheque, totaling USD 104,749.65 to the ambassador, who noted that he is honored to have been serving as non-resident ambassador to Maldives since 2018. He expressed delight in having presented his credentials to President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih during his very first visit to the island nation in 2018, and having witnessed the celebration ensuing Solih’s presidential election victory.
Let me speak heart to heart, I am honored that I am non-resident ambassador to Maldives since 2018. My first visit to Maldives I presented my credentials to president Solih and together with my foreign minister we witnessed the celebration of the president taking over when he was elected as a president of Maldives and I was honored that we had the first meeting between our two foreign ministers, between our Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki and Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid, which was the first meeting that took place in Malé immediately after he took over as a foreign minister”Walid Abu Ali, Non-Resident Ambassador of Palestine to Maldives.
Highlighting the significance of the day, Ambassador Ali noted that Maldives is in the hearts of all Palestinians, especially given the long history between both countries. As such, he noted that Yasser Arafat, former Palestinian leader, had visited Maldives several times and invested in the small island nation.
He went on to reveal that despite being a small nation, Maldives has always been a great country in supporting the Palestinian cause and expressed high appreciation and gratitude for the support and solidarity RaajjeTV, the government and people of Maldives have shown the Palestinian people as well as the message and principles shared with Palestine, Gaza and Al Quddus.
Yes it’s a small nation, but it’s a great country in supporting the Palestinian cause. Through this event let me highly appreciate the support and solidarity of you personally, Excellency Ahmed Saleem, the party, the government and the people of Maldives for their support, the message and principle which you shared with Palestine with Gaza, with Al Quddus"Walid Abu Ali, Non-Resident Ambassador of Palestine to Maldives.
Ambassador Ali noted that RaajjeTV’s initiative of raising funds to help Maldives’ brothers and sisters in Palestine, is highly appreciated and expressed personal gratitude to RaajjeTV, its team and the people who contributed to show their support and solidarity to Palestine.
The ambassador went on to promise that the funds will end up in the hands of those who need it, to rebuild destroyed Gaza.
Let me say what you are doing at the moment in Maldives your initiative of raising some funds to help your brothers and sisters in Palestine is highly appreciated, I am grateful to you personally, I’m grateful to the team and everybody who contributed in Maldives to show their support and solidarity to Palestine, I promise you that your money will end up in the hands of those who needs it in Palestine, in Gaza, and through our government, through the bank account which was created to receive all the funds for the people to rebuild Gaza.”Walid Abu Ali, Non-Resident Ambassador of Palestine to Maldives.
Noting that Israelis themselves, know that Palestinians will continue to find their freedom despite struggles, Ambassador Ali said that the country will continue its efforts until a comprehensive peace to live side-by-side to enjoy peace like any other nation, is reached.
He noted that Palestinians have been struggling for the past seven decades and that they will continue to struggle to achieve their much-deserved independence and freedom.
Highlighting that Palestinians will remain and continue their struggle, Ambassador Ali stressed that there will be no Palestine without Al Quddus and Jerusalem and without an independent state of Palestine, there will never be peace and stability in the middle east.
Palestinians remain and Palestinians will continue to struggle without Al Quddus and Jerusalem, there will be no Palestine and without Palestine, independent state of Palestine, middle east will never enjoy peace and will never enjoy stability. This is our message to the international community, we are in need of your support we are in need of your backup, just continue to support Palestine and Palestinians and we will always remember what you are doing as Maldivians to Palestine.”Walid Abu Ali, Non-Resident Ambassador of Palestine to Maldives.
The war that wreaked havoc across Gaza could actually be deemed beneficial for Palestine in a way, as it united all Palestinians, all Arabs and the entire Muslim nation, Ambassador Ali went on to shed light on.
This war which took place on the end of May in the end of month of Ramadan had actually, we as Palestinians, benefited where all Palestinians were unified, all Arabs were unified and all Muslim ummah was unified in addition to that, in the western world capitals who have imagined that in London, in Paris, in New York and Washington, people were protesting to support the Palestinians. For the first time, the whole international community had shown their solidarity with Palestinians against the Israeli aggression”Walid Abu Ali, Non-Resident Ambassador of Palestine to Maldives.
Also speaking at the virtual event, RaajjeTV’s Managing Director and MP Saleem, noted that Maldives is always with Palestine, and to “stay on your course”.
