Former president of Maldives, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has strongly criticized the state planned move of a cafeteria construction at Friday Mosque site - a historical and cultural site of Maldives.
Gayoom said that the idea of constructing such a venue at the site a grave disrespect historically as well as with regards to religious grounds.
Housing Ministry on Thursday had announced seeking interested parties to landscape the Friday Mosque vicinity. Although the details were not specified in the announcement, the ministry had stated the winning party must landscape and maintain the 114 block according to the concept planned by the authority.
Additional to this, the ministry had said the historical mosque would not be damaged or harmed.
Friday Mosque is also included in the temporary list of world heritage sites, making it among one of the oldest venues to make up the list.
Maumoon Abdul Gayoom had expressed his displeasure at the news of government's plan stating such cultural sites should not be tampered with preservation of such landscapes is a must for everyone - including the state government.
The historical Friday Mosque was first built in 1656 during the Sultanate of Ibrahim Iskandharu while the minaret of the mosque finished its construction in 1675 under his rule. Until the Islamic Center was opened in 1984, Friday Mosque was regarded as the biggest mosque in Maldives.
Friday Mosque is also included in the temporary list of world heritage sites, making it among one of the oldest venues to make up the list.
