ASI conducts study for restoration of ancient mosques in Maldives

A delegation of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has visited the Maldives to conduct a study for the restoration of ancient mosques in the country.

The High Commission of India in the Maldives said in a statement that the four-member team, led by Additional Director General of ASI Dr BR Mani, visited the Maldives from 14 to 20 August on the invitation of the Maldivian government.

The team visited several mosques in various islands of the Maldives and held meetings with the Maldivian delegations in the Ministry of Islamic Affairs and the Department of Heritage, led by Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed, and Deputy Minister of Education and Director of Heritage Department Yumna Maumoon.

According to the High Commission, both sides welcomed a proposal for a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between ASI and the Department of Heritage for restoration, renovation and preservation of ancient cultural heritage in Maldives with the technical expertise of ASI and training of Maldivians in India in this critical area.

The ASI delegation visit is a follow-up of the visit of Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed to India in April 2014, during which co-operation between India and Maldives in this area was discussed. India had previously assisted the Maldives in restoration of several ancient mosques including Hukuru Miskiy (1988), Eid Miskiy (2006), Dharumavantha Rasgefaanu Miskiy (2004) in Male’, and Fenfushi Hukuru Miskiy in South Ari atoll (2001).