Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed has announced a significant humanitarian effort funded by the Maldives' Zakat House to provide essential drinking water to the injured and those forced by Israel to endure severe humanitarian crises in Gaza, Palestine.
This initiative comes amidst the ongoing Israeli offensive, which has inflicted severe hardships, created inhumane living conditions, and led to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Gaza residents. Launched on 7 October 2023 by Israeli occupational forces, the offensive has displaced the majority of Gaza's 2.3 million inhabitants, further exacerbating the already dire situation.
Dr Shaheem stated that the drinking water, funded by the Maldives’ Zakat Fund, is being distributed with the assistance of the Qatari Red Crescent. In a social media post, the Qatar Red Crescent confirmed that its personnel have already distributed 6,000 cases of drinking water bottles to injured residents and patients at Al-Shifa and Al-Hayat Hospitals. A total of 50,000 cases of drinking water bottles, funded by the Zakat House of Maldives, will be provided to over 60,000 individuals in Gaza, according to the Qatari Red Crescent.
On 27 November, the Zakat House announced a commitment of USD 100,000 to assist Gaza residents who are enduring severe and appalling hardships due to the ongoing Israeli offensive. This initiative represents the first occasion on which the Zakat fund resources are being utilised to provide humanitarian assistance internationally.
The Maldives government has actively supported the Palestinian residents, particularly those blockaded in Gaza, by organising fundraising events such as telethons. The government has also initiated measures to prohibit the entry of individuals holding Israeli passports into the Maldives, as a gesture of solidarity with the Palestinian people.
Since the launch of Israel's genocidal offensive on 7 October 2023, over 45,338 Palestinians have been killed, and more than 107,764 have been wounded, with most of the casualties being innocent women and children. Israel's offensive is being conducted in contravention of international and humanitarian laws.