Aa Sahara

Why was Hulhumale’ Cemetery suddenly busy for a year? Let me tell you the story of Aa Sahara, Malé’s primary cemetery. Until May of the previous year, Aa Sahara was the sole burial ground in Malé. Then, it closed for much-needed renovations. During this time, the deceased from Malé had to make their final journey to Hulhumale’ Cemetery. Imagine the logistical challenges! But the closure was for a good cause. Aa Sahara underwent a significant transformation. A new two-story annex was built. This provided much-needed space for funeral attendees, a more comfortable waiting area, and renovated washrooms, even accessible ones. The mosque at Aa Sahara also received a makeover. The first floor was expanded and air conditioning was installed. This created a more comfortable space for prayer during funeral services. A dedicated, air-conditioned prayer area was created upstairs for women, addressing previous space constraints. Downstairs, another designated area allowed those waiting to pray. The renovations were extensive and happened in two phases. First, the structural work, initially contracted to PNP Maldives Private Limited for MVR 4.9 million. However, delays plagued the project. Despite receiving an advance payment of MVR 3.6 million, PNP Maldives left the job unfinished. B-Six Investments then stepped in to complete the structure for MVR 4.6 million. The finishing work was handed to a separate contractor, bringing the total cost to MVR 11 million. Now, Aa Sahara is once again open, serving the community of Malé.