“Imagine the stories these coral walls could tell.” Right here before us stands the Malé Friday Mosque, also known as Malé Hukuru Miskiy. It is also called the Old Friday Mosque. This Sunni mosque has witnessed centuries of Maldivian life.
Completed in 1658, the Miskiy is Malé’s oldest and most ornate mosque. Its construction is a testament to Maldivian ingenuity. Builders used coral boulders abundant throughout the archipelago. When wet, the coral is easily cut. When dry, it becomes a sturdy building block.
Did you know that the Malé Friday Mosque almost became a UNESCO World Heritage site? In 2008, it was added to a list of potential sites. UNESCO recognized it as a unique example of sea-culture architecture.
Ali Maavadi Kaleyfaanu and Mahmud Maavadi Kaleyfaanu were master carpenters. They hailed from Kondey in Huvadu. They built the Miskiy. Chief Justice Al Faqh Al Qazi Jamaaludheen was the calligrapher. The mosque showcases artistic excellence. It is one of the world’s finest coral stone buildings. Its interlocking assembly is unique.
The Miskiy stands opposite Medhu Ziyaaraiy and Muliaage. Medhu Ziyaaraiy marks the tomb of Abu al-Barakat Yusuf al-Thabrizi. He brought Islam to the Maldives in 1153 CE.
Construction began in 1656. It concluded in 1658. Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar I oversaw the project. He ruled from 1648 to 1687. The mosque replaced an older one. Sultan Dhovemi built that mosque in 1153. He was the first Muslim Sultan. Ahmed Shihabuddeen reportedly refurbished it in 1338. However, no written records confirm this. The old mosque became too small. Iskandar built a new, larger mosque. The construction took one and a half years. The original mosque had a thatched roof. That was common at the time.
Ibrahim I added a munnaaru after his 1668 Hajj. This is a minaret. He also added a gate to the south. The minaret resembles those in Mecca. A 17th-century cemetery surrounds it. Intricately carved tombstones and mausoleums dot the landscape.
Muhammad Shamsuddeen III replaced the thatched roof in 1904. He used corrugated iron sheeting. Further renovations occurred in 1963. Workers replaced the roof supports with teak wood. They also replaced the iron sheeting with aluminum.
An Indian team conserved the Miskiy in 1987 and 1988. They came from the National Research Laboratory. They also came from the National Centre for Linguistic and Historical Research.
The Miskiy has been in continuous use since its construction. Some say it was built over an ancient temple. That temple faced the setting sun. This is different than Mecca’s direction.
The Malé Friday Mosque faces west. The prayer carpet is angled. Worshippers face Mecca in the northwest corner. Two entrance gates lead to the dhaala. This is the mosque’s balcony.
The Miskiy features intricate carvings. Quranic scripts adorn the walls. The mosque sits in a walled enclosure. Interlocking coral blocks form the structure. Cut-coral columns support the hypostyle roof. Three entrances lead inside. Two prayer halls are surrounded by antechambers. A vaulted ceiling is decorated in steps. Local carpenters fashioned the woodwork. They also created the roof and interior. Wall panels display traditional Maldivian art. The mihrab is a large chamber. It includes a mimbar. This is the pulpit. The main building has three sections. These are the mihtab, medhu miskiy, and fahu miskiy. A carved panel commemorates Islam’s arrival in the Maldives.
The mosque’s minaret is round and blue-and-white. Some say it looks like a wedding cake. It was built in 1675. The base is wide like a ship’s funnel. Coral stones make up the minaret. Metal strips brace it. A graveyard surrounds the minaret. Carved coral tombstones mark the graves. They distinguish males, females, sultans, and families. Women’s tombstones are rounded. Men’s are pointed. Royalty have gilt inscriptions. Family members have small mausoleums. These mausoleums feature decorated stone walls.
UNESCO recognized the Miskiy’s unique architecture. It reflects the creative excellence of the Maldivian people. It also showcases their sea-culture traditions. The tongue-in-groove technique demonstrates advanced building skills. The mosque is associated with religious and social practices. The Malé Friday Mosque stands as a testament to Maldivian heritage.