Friday Mosque (Male)
The Male Friday Mosque is a historic and cultural heritage site in the Maldives. It is also one of the oldest and most ornate mosques in the city of Malé, Kaafu Atoll.
- It was built in 1658 by Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar I, who replaced an earlier mosque that dated back to 1153. The mosque is made of coral stone, which is a unique and durable material that comes from the sea.
- The mosque has a complex and elegant design, with intricate carvings, calligraphy, and decorations. The mosque also has a three-tiered roof, a coffered ceiling, a large mihrab chamber, and a mimbar. The mosque is surrounded by a cemetery, a minaret, a sundial, and three wells.
Male Friday Mosque History
The Male Friday Mosque is a historic and cultural heritage site in Maldives, as it reflects the conversion to Islam and the influence of different cultures and dynasties in Maldives. It was added to the tentative UNESCO World Heritage cultural list in 2008.
The mosque is still in use today, as one of the main places of worship for Muslims in Maldives. It is also open to visitors who want to admire its beauty and learn about its significance. However, visitors need to follow certain rules and etiquette when entering the mosque, such as dressing modestly, removing shoes, and avoiding photography inside the mosque.
Friday Mosque (Male) Architecture
The architecture of the Male Friday Mosque is complex and elegant, with intricate carvings, calligraphy, and decorations.
- The mosque has a three-tiered roof, which is made of wood and thatched with coconut palm leaves. The roof has a distinctive shape that resembles a pyramid or a pagoda.
- The ceiling is decorated with lacquered wood panels and painted with geometric designs. The mosque also has a large mihrab chamber, which is the niche that indicates the direction of Mecca, which Muslims face when they pray.
- The mihrab chamber has a dome-shaped roof and a semi-circular arch. The mimbar is the pulpit where the imam delivers the sermon.
- The mimbar is also made of coral stone and carved with elaborate motifs. The mosque also has several windows that allow natural light and ventilation. The windows have wooden shutters that can be closed during rainy days.
- The mosque is surrounded by a cemetery, a minaret, a sundial, and three wells.
- The cemetery contains the tombs and mausoleums of many past sultans and nobles of Maldives, some of which are made of coral stone as well.
- The cemetery also has some of the finest coral stonework in the world, with intricate carvings and inscriptions.
- The minaret is a drum-like structure that is painted in white and has metal bands and calligraphy. The minaret is used to call for prayer five times a day. The sundial is a simple device that shows the time of the day by the shadow of a metal rod. The sundial also has some Arabic numerals and symbols engraved on it.
- The wells are also made of coral stone and have stepping stones leading to them. The wells provide fresh water for ablution and drinking.
Significance of the Male Friday Mosque
The significance of the Male Friday Mosque in Maldives is immense, as it reflects the history and identity of Maldives as an Islamic nation.
- It is also one of the oldest and most ornate mosques in Maldives and a remarkable example of sea-culture architecture and Islamic art.
- It was added to the tentative UNESCO World Heritage cultural list in 2008. The mosque is still in use today, as one of the main places of worship for Muslims in Maldives. It is also open to visitors who want to admire its beauty and learn about its significance.
- Visitors need to follow certain rules and etiquette when entering the mosque, such as dressing modestly, removing shoes, and avoiding photography inside the mosque.
If you want to visit the Male Friday Mosque, Visit our website for more information on how to book your Maldives tour package and get a chance to see this amazing attraction in person.
