Government on Wednesday moved quickly to deny rumours that a 17th century minaret in the capital Male was being relocated for a road expansion project.
Social media had been rife with rumours that the government had the minaret next on its list after relocating an 18th century coral stone mosque to a southern atoll.
The Kalhuvakaru mosque, carved from coral stone in 1799, was dismantled for the development of Sultan Park. It is to be moved to the island of Thinadhoo in Gaaf Dhaal Atoll.
However, the heritage department insisted that there were no plans to move the minaret.
The minaret is hugely popular among visiting tourists to the capital Male.
The Friday Mosque, its minaret and the adjoining burial ground for former rulers was added to UNESCO’s tentative list in 2008.
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