All dilapidated mosques in the Male' area are expected to be rebuilt within the next two years, Minister of Islamic Affairs and Endowments Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed has said.
The minister made the remarks after laying the foundation of a new, modern mosque to be built on the site of the existing Masjidus Salaam in Vilimale’.
Minister Dr Shaheem said the project to demolish the existing mosque and construct a new one had been a long time coming. He noted that the mosque had stood at the site for 25 years and was in need of redevelopment.
The minister said the new mosque would be among the most beautiful in Vilimale’. He expressed hope that construction would be completed as soon as possible so that residents could begin using the facility.
He also said all dilapidated mosques in the Malé area would be rebuilt within the next two years as part of the ongoing mosque redevelopment programme.
“Building a mosque is a highly virtuous undertaking and a blessing from Allah. One of the encouraging aspects of this project is that sponsors have been secured and work has begun on all but one of the dilapidated mosques in the Male' area. Construction at some sites has already made significant progress,” the minister said.
He added that the only remaining mosque awaiting redevelopment was in Henveiru, and that a generous donor had also come forward to support its reconstruction.
Minister Dr Shaheem said the redevelopment of mosques would help transform Malé into a city with beautiful mosques.
The Islamic Affairs Ministry said numerous Islamic development projects were under way across the Maldives, with efforts being made to accelerate their implementation.
More than 70 projects are currently in progress, including mosque construction, Islamic centres, branches of the National Centre for the Holy Quran, and endowment buildings.