The photo captures a significant moment in Maldivian history, showcasing the transition between the old and new religious landmarks in the capital, Malé, during the mid-1980s.
The Grand Friday Mosque & Islamic Centre
The images on the top left, top right, and bottom left feature the Masjid Al-Sultan Muhammad Thakurufaanu Al-Azam, which is the centerpiece of the Islamic Centre.
- Opening: It was officially opened on November 11, 1984, by President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. My photos from 1985 show the mosque in its brand-new state.
- Architecture: It is famous for its massive golden dome and white marble walls. At the time of these photos, it was one of the largest and most modern mosques in South Asia, capable of holding 5,000 worshippers.
The Old Friday Mosque (Hukuru Miskiy)
The image on the bottom right shows the "Old Mosque", known as Malé Hukuru Miskiy.
- History: Built in 1658 during the reign of Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar I, it is the oldest mosque in the country.
- Unique Build: It is constructed almost entirely of carved coral stone with intricate lacquer work and woodcarvings inside. It was the primary mosque of the Maldives for over 300 years until the Grand Friday Mosque (shown in your other photos) was completed to accommodate the growing population.
- Heritage: It is currently on the UNESCO World Heritage tentative list due to its unique "sea-culture" architecture.
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The Maldives, officially the Republic of Maldives, is an archipelagic nation in the Indian Ocean, southwest of India and Sri Lanka. It is the smallest country in Asia by both land area and population. A chain of 26 atolls containing approximately 1,192 coral islands.
Hj Zulheimy Maamor
Lembah Keramat, KL
29/12/2025: 4.41 p.m
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