Brigadier General (Retd) Ali Zuhair

For many years, the Maldivian people have aspired to realize the dream of building a grand mosque in Hulhumalé, the new extension connected to the Maldivian capital. Today, we stand before a great historic occasion as we lay the foundation stone for the Sultan Muhammad bin Abdullah Grand Mosque and the Islamic Civilization Center in Hulhumalé. This landmark has been named after Sultan Muhammad bin Abdullah, the first of the Maldivian kings to embrace Islam, in 548 AH. His acceptance of Islam had a profound impact on the transformation of the Maldives into an Islamic state and marked the beginning of a spiritual and civilizational journey whose roots have extended through the centuries. The establishment of this landmark coincides with the 900th anniversary of the arrival of Islam in the Maldives, commemorating this great occasion and celebrating the rich Islamic heritage that has formed an integral part of the country’s history and identity. Insha Allah, this project will be a civilizational landmark and a beacon of worship, knowledge, and culture, bringing together the authenticity of history and the spirit of the modern age. It will embody the values of tolerance, peace, security, and safety for which the Maldivian people have been known, and which throughout history have formed an integral part of their Islamic identity and culture. The project will include a main mosque accommodating more than ten thousand worshippers, in addition to an educational, cultural, and community center; offices for the Imam and administration; an Islamic library; a museum of the Holy Qur’an; a multipurpose hall; a visitors’ area; an Islamic bookstore; a gift shop; and an exhibition hall. The Islamic Civilization Center will introduce visitors to the history of the arrival of Islam in the Maldives and the stages through which Islamic civilization developed in the country. It will also highlight the history and contributions of the scholars and sultans who served Islam and helped spread its teachings in the Maldives over the course of nine hundred years, making the center a testament to the depth of this heritage and its continuity across generations. The mosque complex will also include a number of endowments (awqaf) that will contribute to supporting Islamic affairs, ensuring the sustainability of the project, and strengthening its religious, educational, cultural, and community mission. The center will not be merely a place of worship and learning; it will also be a cultural and tourist destination that introduces visitors to the history of Islam in the Maldives and presents to the world a bright image of its Islamic civilization and its values based on tolerance, peace, and coexistence. On this occasion, I extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to His Excellency President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu @MMuizzu for his support for this project and his commitment to seeing it realized, particularly his announcement of it in his address on the occasion of the opening of Parliament in 2026. I also extend my profound thanks and appreciation to Al Rajhi Company for financing the mosque and endowment projects, and for its generous support, which has helped transform this dream into reality. We ask Allah Almighty to place this contribution in the balance of their good deeds and to reward them with the best of rewards. I would also like to express my sincere thanks and appreciation to the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) for its valuable support, cooperation, and assistance in facilitating this project. Their cooperation has played an important role in helping to advance this initiative and bring this important project closer to realization. We deeply appreciate their continued partnership and support, and we pray that Allah Almighty rewards them abundantly for their efforts. We ask Allah Almighty to bless this project, and we hope that the construction of the mosque will be completed within two years, by the help and grace of Allah.