Duty exemption was not granted to SJ for mosque construction material: Minister

Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed has clarified that no duty exemption was granted to SJ Construction in bringing in the materials needed for construction of a mosque in Hulhumale' Phase 2.

Ministry of Islamic Affairs signed an agreement with SJ construction to build a mosque near the Hiyaa Flats in January, 2022. The agreement stated that the work should be completed within 420 days of commencement.

However, the mosque still remains under construction. Social media users have raised concerns about the delays, while the ministry has, on different occasions, provided varying reasons for the delays.

Some have alleged that there is a duty exemption on materials brought in for the construction of the mosque, and that it is a provision that has been abused by SJ construction through using those materials in advancing other projects taken on by the company.

Shaheem dismissed these allegations, adding that work on the mosque had been halted for a long period of time before being resumed after this administration came to office.

"It is false that the materials brought to build this mosque are duty free. No duty exemptions have been granted for any materials brought since work on the mosque started in 2022," Shaheem stated.

He said that SJ Construction is extending cooperation to efforts to expedite completion of the mosque.

As per the design, the mosque will have the capacity to accommodate 1400 persons. Including the courtyard, the mosque has space for 3000 people to pray in congregation.

The mosque is being built under a settlement agreement made between the Islamic Ministry and SJ Construction. The agreement was made after SJ Construction appealed to get MVR 141 million as compensation after an earlier agreement made with them to construct Zikura Mosque in Male' had been cancelled.

Following this, the Attorney General's Office also submitted a case to court to recover the MVR 30 million paid to SJ Construction for building Zikura Mosque.

Later, on advice of the AG Office, an out of court settlement was reached where it was agreed that a mosque will be built in Hulhumale' and the cost of the project beyond the MVR 30 million would be borne by SJ Construction under their CSR initiatives.