The Baibalaa court built at the Maafannu Cemetery – which the Male’ City Council began clearing last year to develop a parking area - has been dismantled following public backlash.
Contractors hired by the city council began removing corpses and clearing the Maafannu Cemetery in preparation of developing a parking area in September last year. The council said back them that they expected it to take a little over two months.
Historian Mohamed Najih, who had protested against the removal of the historic graveyard, shared photos on social media on Monday which appeared to show that part of the cemetery had been turned into a makeshift court to practice Baibalaa – a traditional sport.
The photos soon went viral – sparking heavy criticism against the city council.
Male' Mayor Adam Azim. (Photo/Male' City Council)
Mayor Adam Azim told Sun on Tuesday morning that the city council did not permit for the site to be used as a Baibalaa court. Azim said the city council put an immediate stop to the matter as soon as it came to their attention.
“I did not permit for that. We put a stop to it after we became aware,” he said.
But on Monday, Azim told Sun that the city council allowed for the site to be used by a club to practice for the Bailabaa competition in Eid al-Fitr. He said the council made the decision as there were no grounds for Bailablaa practice available in the Maafannu district.
He said that the final plan for the location hasn’t changed, and that the site will be redeveloped as a public park and parking area.
Maafannu Cemetry. (Photo: Lucas Jaleel / Social media)
Azim previously said that 60-70 percent of the land will be used as a public park and the remaining area will be used as a parking area and to build kiosks.
The project to clear the Maafannu Cemetery sparked concern from local historians, who warned of the loss of a site of such historical significance.
The Maafannu Cemetery is not currently used for burial. The west side of the cemetery is already being used as a parking area.