Turkish contractor Alke-Turmaks has revealed King Salman Mosque will be handed over to the government in the first quarter of next year. King Salman Mosque built with a grant aid from King of Saudi Arabia Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud was contracted to a Turkish -based joint venture company Alke-Turmaks, in February 2017.
Speaking to PSM News, regarding the project, Technical Office Chief of Alke-Turmaks Bariscan Gogebakan said the company concluded the construction by October, with efforts underway to install roofing and steel structure of the minaret. Furthermore, he revealed marbling outside the mosque has also commenced with the ongoing interior work.
Highlighting the speed of the progress, Bariscan Gogebakan expressed hope to handover the mosque to the government within the first quarter of 2019. Moreover, Alke-Turmaks noted all equipment needed have been brought to Maldives. Noting even though the design and concept were changed as the work progressed; Alke-Turmaks assured the mosque will represent the sovereignty and Islamic traditions of Maldives.
Alke-Turmaks elaborated the mosque's designing consists Arabic calligraphy, verses from Quran and wordings which represents Islamic culture. The mosque funded by the government of Saudi Arabia is built on the eastern waterfront of the capital city.
Once completed King Salman Mosque will be the largest mosque in the Maldives. Over 6,000 worshippers can be accommodated inside the mosque at a time. In addition, the mosque can cater up to 10,000 people in the premises of the mosque.
The mosque is equipped with a library, a Quran centre, a multipurpose hall, a conference hall, an auditorium and a parking area.