Efforts are underway to construct three buildings dedicated for Waqf investments in the Male’ area.
Speaking at a press conference held at the President’s Office on Saturday, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu shared information on Waqf projects and the government’s plans for them. The President revealed that the construction of the three buildings is now at bidding stage.
The only government building in the city that is currently part of a Waqf investment is the Dhaarul Eeman in Male’.
The three new Waqf projects planned for Male’ City are:
- Dhaarussalaam Building to be constructed in Hulhumale’ Phase One
- Dhaarul Arqam Building to be constructed in Male’. The land for this project has not yet been allocated.
- Special Waqf Building on the Holy Quran, to be constructed in the land allocated for the Coral Boulevard project.
The President said the land for the Dhaarussalam Building has already been allocated. Additionally, the space for the Special Waqf Building on the Holy Quran will be allocated from the 70,000 sqft plot designated for the Coral Boulevard project, with 10,000 sqft allocated for the Waqf building.
The President did not share a specific start and completion date for the projects. He said the completion of these projects will reduce the expenditure on religious activities from the state budget.
“From the revenue generated from these three endowment buildings, a lot of initiatives can be undertaken for Islamic projects without spending from the state budget. This includes increasing religious awareness, running various programmes and so on," he said.
On October 8 last year, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs made an announcement seeking a party to design the Dhaarul Arqam building.
The President also shared some information on efforts to build mosques across the Maldives. He revealed that there are currently 21 mosque projects underway, adding that agreements to construct 17 brand new mosques have also recently been signed. Some of the projects will be completed this year and the rest will be completed next year, he assured.
“This is becoming the year with the highest number of mosques built in a single year,” he said.
The President also shared the names of 20 islands where mosques, Islamic centres and centres for the Holy Quran will be built next year.