Saudi govt yet to confirm King Salman Mosque opening date: Minister

The King Salman Mosque has not been officially opened because the government of Saudi Arabia has not specified a date yet, according to Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dr. Ahmed Zahir.

The Mosque, built under Saudi aid during former President Abdulla Yameen's administration, was opened during the month of Ramadan last year (April, 2022).

However, the mosque has not been officially opened, and the name plate of the mosque is still hidden, although it is still used for prayers.

When asked by Velidhoo MP Mohamed Abdulla Shafeeq in Parliament on Monday, Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr Ahmed Zahir said he had held discussions with the Saudi government before the Covid-19 outbreak.

The Minister said that representatives from the Saudi Islamic Ministry visited the Maldives and discussed preparations for the opening of the mosque, and said that they would inform the government of the Maldives once a date had been finalised for the mosque's opening.

“We haven't received a date for the opening yet,” the minister said.

The King Salman Mosque, built at a cost of approximately USD 24 million (MVR 370 million), has been the subject of various complaints and public scrutiny since its opening.

One complaint is that the mosque's air-conditioning systems are always broken. When asked about the matter, the minister said that this was a recurring issue because of the corrosive salt water in the air, as the mosque is located near the sea.

Minister Zahir assured that the air-conditions have been repaired again.