MALÉ, Maldives – The Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) has commenced repair work on the air conditioning system at the King Salman Mosque in Malé. This initiative, undertaken in conjunction with the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, aims to address persistent issues with the mosque’s cooling infrastructure.

Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed, informed media outlets today that the joint effort between MACL and the Ministry is focused on resolving the AC system malfunctions. The Minister stated that the objective is to complete the necessary repairs before the commencement of the holy month of Ramadan.

Persistent System Challenges

The King Salman Mosque has experienced intermittent problems with its air conditioning system since its opening. The Islamic Ministry had previously indicated that these issues were largely attributable to salt vapour, due to the mosque’s coastal location in Malé’s Carnival area.

Dr. Shaheem noted that previous attempts to address the AC system’s challenges had not yielded sustainable solutions, underscoring the importance of the current collaborative endeavour with MACL to ensure a lasting resolution.

Mosque Construction and Operation

The King Salman Mosque was constructed with grant aid from the Saudi King and additional funding from the Maldivian government, with the project undertaken by Turkey’s Tamex company. The mosque opened for congregational prayers in 2022 but has not yet been officially inaugurated.