Kalhuvakaru Mosque to be first building in Hulhumale Phase II

Islamic Ministry has said that Kalhuvakaru Mosque was being transferred from Male’ to Hulhumale’ so that it can be the first building in Hulhumale Phase II.

Speaking during a press conference held by Islamic Ministry on Thursday, officials said that it was the Islamic way for the first building built in any place to be a mosque.

Officials said that first building built in Hulhumale’ Phase I was also a mosque, and that it was therefore a good start for a mosque to be the first building built in Hulhumale’ Phase II as well.

Kalhuvakaru Mosque, currently situated at Sultan’s Park is to be transferred to village of ancient buildings and artefacts to be built in Hulhumale Phase II. The decision, and the ensuing efforts to make it happen is to be a collaboration between Department of Heritage,

Ministry of Defense and National Security, Housing Ministry and Housing Development Corporation.

Specialist in Cultural Heritage, Mauroof Jameel will be consulting in the project.

Work to be carried out by Heritage:

• Gathering all documented records and drawings.

• Participating and assisting in documenting the mosque, including photo and video.

• Cleaning, repairing and packing parts of the mosque which will be taken apart and then re-assembled.

• Establishing a system to safeguard the parts of the mosque that will be taken apart and then re-assembled.

• Supervising and monitoring the project.

• Taking care of administrative work pertaining to the project.

Work to be carried out by MNDF:

• Preparing drawings of the mosque as it is now.

• Taking apart parts of the mosque.

• Numbering the parts taken apart and packing them.

• Transporting the parts to Hulhumale.

• Re-assembling the mosque in Hulhumale’.

• Documenting the project.

Work to be carried out by Housing Ministry:

• Making arrangements for the financial cost of the project.

• Constructing the temporary roof needed before taking apart the mosque.

• Closing down the area surrounding mosque.

• Constructing a lockable warehouse in Sultan’s Park to keep the parts taken apart.

• Arranging land and sea transport to transfer the mosque.

• Supervising and monitoring the project.

Work to be carried out by Islamic Ministry:

• Monitoring and supervising the project.

• Raising public awareness.

Work to be carried out by HDC:

• Arranging for land in which the mosque will be re-assembled.

• Establishing a system to speed up work on project.

• Maintaining the mosque and making prayer arrangements ones the mosque is re-assembled.

Work to be carried out by consultant:

• Providing professional assistance to carry out project in accordance with report compiled by him.

• Providing professional assistance and advice on planning project.

• Keeping a close eye on project work.

Islamic Ministry said the project would take six months, and that work would be carried out in such a way that the mosque isn’t damaged.

People can still pray in the mosque, and there will still be imams even if it is transferred to Hulhumale’.

Department of Heritage said that though they did not approve of the mosque being moved, it had already been moved two times in the past.

They said that no expatriate would be involved in the project, and that it would all be taken care of by Maldivians.

Kalhuvakaru Mosque was built in Male’ during the 10th year of reign of Al-Sultan Hassan Nooruddin Iskandhar.

It was originally situated in Majeedhee Magu next to Heenamaa Park in front of National Football Stadium.

It was later sold to a foreigner during presidency of Ibrahim Nasir and transferred to Furanafushi. And then transferred back to where it is currently situated during Maumoon Abdul Gayoom’s presidency.