Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed said on Friday that they are working to establish permanent mosques in Hulhumale’ Phase 2, to accommodate 9,000 people and by the time Ramadan starts this year one permanent mosque that can fit 1,400 people will be set up.
Hulhumale' Phase 2 is one of the wards in Maldives with fastest growing populations.
After visiting Hulhumale' yesterday to oversee the construction of the mosques, Minister Saeed said that five permanent mosques are being built in Hulhumale' 2 by private companies.
He said the first one to be opened from these mosques will be a big mosque that can accommodate 1,400 people. Developed by one of the leading construction and furniture companies in the country, Muni Homecare, it will be finished before Ramadan starts on March 11.
“The other mosques will be finished after Ramadan. God willing, all permanent projects will be finished within two years,” Shaheem said.
Dr. Shaheem said that private businesses and companies have been spending a lot of money to build permanent mosques in Hulhumale' Phase 2, and that he values their efforts in this endeavor.
Mosque built by Muni Homecare: accommodates 1,400, to be opened before Ramadan
Mosque built by SJ Construction: accommodates 3,000
Mosque built by 'Gadhage' Ahmed Saleem and his family: accommodates 1,160
Mosque built by a private party: accommodates 700
Mosque built by Sun Front: accommodates 2,800
Temporary mosque built by HDC: accommodates 100
Minister Shaheem said except for the mosque built by HDC, all other mosques will be permanent mosques.
The minister noted it has become common practice to develop temporary mosques in Hulhumale, and one of President Muizzu’s goals is to change these to permanent ones.
“God willing, when the mosques in Phase 2 are done it will become a ward with beautiful and complete mosques,” Shaheem said.
Dr. Shaheem said the Ministry of Islamic Affairs was encouraging the early completion of the mosques. He said he visited these places on Thursday for that purpose.
Some mosques will be opened for this Ramadan and others after the annual month of fasting is over, the minister said.
"Then Hulhumale' will become one of the wards in Maldives with the most beautiful mosques. The mosques that can now be set up are of great quality and have adapted very beautiful designs," the minister said.
Hulhumale' 2 has a large population and currently has only two temporary mosques and one permanent one.