Ministry of Arts, Culture and Heritage has said that the establishment of a cultural and buffer zone around the Friday Mosque in Male' City will facilitate the expansion of cultural tourism and economic benefits.
The heritage ministry said this following the decision made by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih to identify a cultural zone around the Male' Friday Mosque as a buffer zone. The cultural zone aims to safeguard the Friday Mosque and raises the likelihood of it being inscribed permanently on the list of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) World Heritage Sites. The zone also opens new tourism and economic opportunities in the area, with more information being readily available to tourists.
The ministry has stated that the establishment of a cultural zone around the Friday Mosque will offer tourists and other visitors valuable access to significant information about Maldivian history and monuments. Furthermore, the ministry anticipates a steady increase in tourist arrivals to visiting the Maldives.
The National Centre for Cultural Heritage (NCCH) is actively engaged in crucial efforts to safeguard the Friday Mosque for the benefit of future generations. The renovation endeavors are being conducted with the generous support of the Government of India at a total a total cost of USD1.3 million.