President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has officially inaugurated the construction of a new mosque, Masjid ad-Da’wah, at a groundbreaking ceremony held at Muiveyodhoshuge’ (Boduge’) in Maafannu, Male’.
The modern mosque, designed to accommodate 1,250 worshippers, will feature a range of facilities and serve both religious and educational purposes. The ground floor will include a main prayer hall, ablution area and restrooms, while the mezzanine floor will house a women's prayer area. The first floor will include an additional prayer area and a dedicated i’tikaf space.
The second floor of the mosque will feature a conference hall with a capacity of 150 people, modern classrooms, a library and an administrative office. The mosque terrace can also be used for prayer.
The mosque has been designed to ensure accessibility for individuals with disabilities, incorporating dedicated restrooms and ablution areas for those with disabilities, as well as an elevator for ease of access.
The project is being undertaken by Venza Company Pvt Ltd and is privately funded by Mohamed Adhil, Nizar Ahmed, Zeeba Saeed and Rahmathullah. The project is set for completion within 540 days.
The construction of mosques in Male’ and in the atolls is carried out by the government with the support of private donors. According to the Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed, 15 mosque projects across the Maldives are expected be completed and put into operation by next Ramadan, with several already opened.
The Minister added that the government aims to replace older mosques in the capital with modern mosques. The Barubary Mosque is scheduled to open in December, and Zikura Mosque will be opened in January next year, he has said. The Minister also said that the Salam Mosque in Villimale’ will be demolished and replaced with a new, modern mosque within two years.