President Maumoon Meets with Palestinian Filmmaker Yousef Al‑Helou and Representatives from International Muslimah Aid and Education

President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, Former President of the Maldives and Chairman of the Maumoon Foundation, met today at his office in Malé with Palestinian filmmaker Yousef Al‑Helou, accompanied by Dr. Shazra Ibrahim and Dr. Rana Ahmed Hameed of International Muslimah Aid and Education (IMAE). Mr. Al‑Helou is visiting the Maldives for the premiere of his documentary film, The Phoenix of Gaza.

The film offers a deeply human portrayal of life in Gaza, highlighting moments of resilience, culture, and hope amidst adversity. It is scheduled to premiere in Malé on Tuesday, August 5th at Olympus Theatre.

During the meeting, Mr. Al‑Helou shared insights into the making of the film and the stories it aims to preserve. President Maumoon thanked him for his work and expressed interest in seeing the film, noting the importance of artistic efforts that bring global attention to humanitarian struggles. He also commended IMAE for its ongoing advocacy and outreach work.

Dr. Shazra and Dr. Rana shared how IMAE strives to both showcase Palestinian resilience and amplify their voices in the face of the ongoing injustice.They also acknowledged President Maumoon’s long-standing support for the Palestinian cause and emphasized that President Maumoon laid the foundation for the Maldives’ longstanding support for Palestine during his time in office.

As a gesture of appreciation, Dr. Shazra and Dr. Rana presented President Maumoon with a signed copy of their newly released book, Soul of All Souls, which offers a powerful account of Palestine’s colonization and the 75-year struggle for justice. 

President Maumoon thanked them for their thoughtful gift and their continued advocacy.