Inside Masjid Al Asdiqaa, can you imagine the echoes of prayers resonating through the years? Let’s explore this significant mosque in Malé. While specific details about Masjid Al Asdiqaa are scarce, we can learn about mosques in the Maldives.
The Maldives boasts a rich Islamic heritage evident in its mosque architecture. The Malé Friday Mosque exemplifies this. It is also known as Malé Hukuru Miskiy. This Sufi Sunni mosque is the oldest and most ornate in the Maldives.
Completed in 1658, the Malé Friday Mosque showcases traditional Maldivian architecture. Coral boulders form the basic building blocks. This material was favored for its workability when wet and durability when dry.
Master carpenters Ali Maavadi Kaleyfaanu and Mahmud Maavadi Kaleyfaanu crafted the mosque. Chief Justice Al Faqh Al Qazi Jamaaludheen served as the calligrapher. The mosque stands as one of the world’s finest coral stone buildings. Its interlocking assembly highlights artistic excellence.
The Malé Friday Mosque is opposite Medhu Ziyaaraiy and Muliaage. Medhu Ziyaaraiy marks the tomb of Abu al-Barakat Yusuf al-Thabrizi. He introduced Islam to the Maldives in 1153 CE.
Construction began in 1656 during Ibrahim Iskandar I’s reign. It replaced an older mosque built by Dhovemi. Dhovemi was the first Muslim Sultan after his conversion. Iskandar I initiated the new mosque to accommodate increasing devotees.
Initially, the Malé Friday Mosque had a thatched roof. After his 1668 Hajj, Ibrahim I added a minaret and gate. The minaret’s design mirrored those at Mecca’s entrance. A 17th-century cemetery surrounds the minaret. Intricately carved tombstones and mausoleums mark the graves.
Muhammad Shamsuddeen III replaced the thatched roof with corrugated-iron in 1904. Further renovations in 1963 replaced roof supports with teak wood. The corrugated-iron gave way to aluminium. Conservation efforts occurred in 1987 and 1988 by an Indian team.
The Malé Friday Mosque faces west with the prayer carpet angled. This allows worshippers to face Mecca. Two entrance gates lead to the mosque’s dhaala.
Intricate carvings and Quranic inscriptions adorn the mosque. Interlocking coral blocks form the structure. The hypostyle roof rests on cut-coral columns. The mosque has three entrances and two prayer halls. Antechambers surround three sides.
Local master carpenters fashioned the woodwork. Wall panels and ceilings feature traditional Maldivian woodcarving. The mihrab includes a mimbar. The building divides into the mihtab, medhu miskiy, and fahu miskiy. A 13th-century panel commemorates Islam’s arrival.
The minaret resembles a wedding cake. Built in 1675, it has a wide base and metal strips. The graveyard features carved coral tombstones. These tombstones distinguish males, females, sultans, and their families.
The Islamic Centre in Malé is another notable mosque. Officially named Masjid al-Sultan Muhammad Thakurufaanu al-Auzam, it opened in 1984. The mosque can accommodate 5000 worshippers. A golden dome and a 43 m minaret characterize its architecture. The building was based on the Modernist design of a mosque that was built in Malaysia.
Though we lack specific details about Masjid Al Asdiqaa, exploring mosques in Malé provides insight into Maldivian Islamic culture. These mosques stand as testaments to the country’s history and artistic traditions. They are a testament to the beautiful island nation and its people.