Maldives begins construction of largest mosque with 10,000 capacity
Maldives starts building largest mosque with Saudi support, doubling capacity of current landmark while adding Islamic civilization center
MALÉ, Maldives (MNTV) — Maldives has begun construction of its largest mosque, a 10,000-capacity Islamic complex that will more than double the prayer capacity of the country’s existing main mosque and include a center documenting the island nation’s Islamic history.
President Mohamed Muizzu laid the foundation stone Sunday for Jamius Sultan Mohamed Bin Abdullah in Hulhumalé, a rapidly developing island neighboring capital Malé. Project was launched as Maldives commemorated 900 Hijri years since Islam was established in the archipelago.
Mosque is named after Sultan Mohamed bin Abdullah, also known as Dharumavantha Rasgefaanu, ruler associated with Maldives’ conversion to Islam and its subsequent spread across islands. Islam has remained central to Maldivian national identity for centuries.
Planned between Hulhumalé’s second and third development phases, mosque will accommodate approximately 10,000 worshippers at one time. Muizzu first announced project in his presidential address earlier this year.
Saudi Arabia’s Al Rajhi Company is providing financial assistance for project, according to Maldivian authorities, while its experts were also involved in designing complex. Construction is expected to take about two years.
Plans extend well beyond a prayer hall. Adjacent Centre for Islamic Civilization will document history and spread of Islam across Maldives and will be designed to receive tourists as well as local visitors.
Complex will also include an Islamic library and cultural center, Quran museum, educational and community facilities, exhibition space, multipurpose hall, visitor facilities, bookstore and offices for imams and administrators.
Waqf and commercial buildings are also planned alongside parking facilities. Revenue generated from waqf properties is intended to finance Islamic religious activities in Maldives, giving complex a source of continuing financial support after construction.
Islamic Affairs Minister Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed said plans for a major mosque in Hulhumalé had been discussed for about two decades but had never materialized. He described new complex as an important long-term Islamic project for country.
Maldives’ largest existing Islamic complex is Islamic Centre in Malé, built 41 years ago under former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. Its main mosque can accommodate about 4,500 worshippers, less than half planned capacity of new Hulhumalé mosque.
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