The Housing Development Corporation (HDC) has officially transferred the land allocated for the construction of the Hulhumale' Grand Mosque—the largest mosque to be built in the Maldives—to the Ministry of Islamic Affairs and Endowments.
A special ceremony held on 10 June marked the occasion, attended by Minister of Islamic Affairs and Endowments, Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed. The land handover agreement was signed by Minister Shaheem on behalf of the Ministry and by Managing Director of HDC, Brigadier General (Retired) Ali Zuhair, on behalf of the corporation.
The Hulhumale' Grand Mosque will be developed on land situated between Hulhumale' Phase II and Phase III, envisioned as a landmark Islamic complex serving future generations. The Ministry has already signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Saudi Arabia's Al-Rajhi company to finance the construction of the mosque.
The project was announced by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu during his Presidential Address earlier this year. Physical works for the mosque are planned to commence in conjunction with the commemoration of the 900th anniversary of the Maldives embracing Islam. The Ministry is currently working towards initiating construction in September this year.
Speaking on the project, Minister Shaheem said that the development will extend beyond a mosque, encompassing a comprehensive Islamic complex that will include a Quran Museum and a range of other significant religious and educational facilities.
The grand mosque project represents a significant milestone in the nation's Islamic infrastructure, poised to serve as a beacon of religious and cultural heritage for future generations.