Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed, has announced that the government is moving forward with plans to replace temporary tin-roofed mosques in Hulhumalé with permanent, high-quality structures.

Addressing the People’s Majlis in response to a member’s inquiry, Minister Shaheem emphasized that temporary mosques are no longer appropriate for a rapidly developing urban hub like Hulhumalé. He noted that despite some sites being managed by well-intentioned donors, the lack of permanent infrastructure has created significant logistical challenges.

To address these issues, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs is collaborating with the Housing Development Corporation (HDC). This partnership aims to resolve obstacles faced by existing sponsors and accelerate the construction of permanent spiritual facilities across the Greater Malé Area. The Minister revealed that all but one mosque in Malé have now secured sponsorship.

Furthermore, Dr. Shaheem shared his vision of establishing the Maldives as a leading Islamic nation in the region, characterized by its aesthetically significant architecture. He highlighted that design work for a major new mosque in Hulhumalé is nearly complete, with construction scheduled to commence this September.

The timing of the new project coincides with the 900th anniversary of the Maldives’ conversion to Islam. The Minister also confirmed that officials from Saudi Arabia are expected to arrive in the Maldives shortly to discuss cooperation on the project.