As Maldives marks 900th anniversary of its conversion to Islam with grand celebrations, nation’s Islamic heritage sites remain neglected and abandoned
16 ސެޕްޓެމްބަރު 2026 | ބުދަ 08:09While the Ministry of Heritage has planned approximately 15 activities to commemorate the 900th anniversary of the Maldives embracing Islam, the public and heritage experts are expressing grave concern over the significant neglect in maintaining historical sites such as the Male' Friday Mosque. Many critics argue that the true purpose of such an occasion would be better served by preserving and sustaining existing historical monuments rather than focusing on new structures and festivals.
The minaret of the Male' Friday Mosque has become significantly unsightly due to a failure to clear the accumulated moss. | RaajjeMV
The historic 900th anniversary of the Maldives’ conversion to Islam marks a profoundly significant and proud milestone in the nation's history. To commemorate this occasion, the government and relevant institutions have organized and are currently executing a wide array of vibrant celebratory activities. However, amidst these grand celebrations, there is growing public concern regarding the apparent negligence in preserving the invaluable heritage sites that represent the Maldives' long history and Islamic culture.
Despite the current circumstances, the Ministry of Heritage has decided to conduct 15 different activities throughout the year to commemorate the 900th anniversary of the Maldives' conversion to Islam. These initiatives include the construction of a monument in the Greater Male' area to symbolize the 900-year milestone and the hosting of an international Islamic trade fair. The plans also feature a national Quran festival, academic competitions, sporting events, and a calligraphy festival, alongside Islamic heritage camps specifically designed for the youth. All these activities are key components of a broader strategy aimed at enhancing Islamic awareness across the nation.
As the Maldives marks the 900th anniversary of its conversion to Islam with grand celebrations, the historic Male' Friday Mosque remains neglected, with no efforts made to clean or restore the landmark. | RaajjeMV
Despite the elaborate planning of various events, the condition of the Maldives' historic mosques and Islamic monuments remains dire. Most notably, the state of the Male' Friday Mosque and its minaret—one of the country's most significant archaeological landmarks—has severely deteriorated. It is distressing to witness the mosque's roof, courtyard, and minaret covered in moss, while the grounds are increasingly littered with debris. Furthermore, there has been a lack of timely action to repair the damage caused by seasonal monsoon rains.
Former high-ranking officials and members of the general public are expressing deep concern over the negligence observed in the preservation of heritage sites.
The Male' Friday Mosque has sustained damages due to the ongoing heavy rainfall. | RaajjeMV
In this regard, Mohamed Thoriq, former State Minister for Heritage, stated that while the 900th anniversary is being celebrated with great pomp, leaving authentic historical sites neglected is a significant oversight. He noted that cleaning and preserving such invaluable historical landmarks should not be a task reserved solely for special occasions, but rather a national responsibility that must be carried out sustainably.
Efforts to obtain a comment from the Ministry of Heritage regarding this matter have been unsuccessful.
The true purpose of grandly celebrating the 900th anniversary of the Maldives embracing Islam can only be achieved by ensuring the comprehensive preservation and maintenance of the Islamic heritage left behind by our ancestors. Rather than focusing solely on new monuments and festivals, it is the paramount duty of all relevant authorities to prioritize the protection of our invaluable historical mosques and landmarks from decay, ensuring they are passed down to future generations.
