Construction of the Maldives’ largest mosque, the “Grand Mosque”, will begin in September this year, Islamic Minister Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed announced on Thursday.
In a message shared with the media, Minister Shaheem said the foundation stone will be laid on September 13, marking a major project tied to the 900th anniversary of the Maldives’ conversion to Islam.
The mosque, to be built between Phase II and Phase III of Hulhumale', will have capacity for around 10,000 worshippers at a time, making it the largest in the country.
Shaheem said the concept design has been completed and detailed design work is now underway with the support of foreign experts. Key components of the mosque complex include:
Waqf buildings and a commercial building  
A dedicated parking area  
A Qur’an Museum
A rendering of the Grand Mosque to be built in Hulhumale', showing how a prayer congregation can gather. (Photo/Ministry of Islamic Affairs)
The minister noted that a foreign donor has provided full funding for the project, including design and construction. Revenue generated from the mosque’s endowment building will be used to support Islamic affairs in the Maldives.
Representatives of the donor will attend the foundation‑laying ceremony.
The largest mosque currently in the Maldives is the Islamic Centre, built during the administration of President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom more than 40 years ago. The most recent major mosque project was the King Salman Mosque, constructed during former President Abdulla Yameen’s administration with special assistance from Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz.