Laamu Maabaidhoo mosque forced to close after discovery of human remains

Authorities have been forced to close down the main mosque in Laamu Maabaidhoo after discovering the remains human remains buried underneath the mosque.

Speaking to Sun, Maabaidhoo council president Ibrahim Shareef said that the mosque has been closed down since evening last Wednesday.

He said that they discovered human remains buried underneath the mosque, as they excavated the area after being told by island's elderly that such bodies remained buried underneath the mosque.

Closing of the mosque has made things difficult for the people of the island, especially during the month of Ramadan.

Ibrahim Shareef said that the discovery of the remains was promptly reported to the Ministry of Islamic Affairs. Approximately 1020 people live in Laamu Maabaidhoo.

Apart from the main mosque, the island has two other mosques for women, both of which can accommodate a very small number of people.

The council president said that people are forced to pray in an old abandoned public building.

“The council has arranged for the people to pray in an old public building. The building is very old and if it rains, people will not be able to pray. A tarpaulin canvas has been drawn so that it won’t leak even if it rains, just until proper reconstruction can be done. The reconstruction will cost a lot. So we’ve asked the Islamic Ministry to provide the materials needed,” Shareef said.