Headstones in Koagannu cemetery vandalized

Some of the headstones in Koagannu cemetery, the oldest and largest burial ground in the Maldives located in southernmost Addu City, have been vandalized yet again.

A resident who spoke to Sun from Addu said the vandalism took place during the Friday prayer hour earlier today, while the suspects have yet to be identified.

Addu Meedhoo Councilor Aminath Saaliha told Sun said security was not present at the cemetery, which is a heritage site, during the Friday prayer hour.

Therewith, she alleged that the vandalism was purposely planned to coincide with the time.

“There is no one we suspect as of present. We are investigating what happened,” she added.

Koagannu cemetery is listed by the World Monuments Fund among the 25 culturally significant but endangered heritage sites of the world in 2022.

Speaking at an earlier episode of SSTV’s ‘Baaru Hathareh’ program – Heritage Minister Yumna Maumoon said the Ministry was undertaking efforts to develop site museums at important heritage sites across the Maldives.

The minister said efforts were underway to also develop Koagannu cemetery, in Addu City’s Meehdhoo district, in the same manner.

She attributed vandalism of headstones and similar acts to a result of some people’s beliefs.  

“A site museum can only be developed by the site remaining intact in the first place. Vandalism of headstones in Koagannu cemetery is observed here and then due to beliefs that have existed from earlier times,” she said.

Yumna cited the most important step in stopping such crimes as raising awareness.

“Such places can only be preserved once residents of the island are aware and put an effort to actually preserve it,” she added.

She also stressed that local councils bore a significant responsibility in preserving heritage sites.

In this regard, she noted that the Ministry, in collaboration with the National Center for Culture Heritage, hold meetings with local councils with instruction regarding how this can be implemented.