Do you know why Masjid Ali Hussain stands as a testament to the Maldives’ rich Islamic heritage? This mosque offers a glimpse into the architectural and cultural evolution of the islands. Let’s step closer to Masjid Ali Hussain.
Masjid Ali Hussain is located in Malé. The Maldives became an Islamic kingdom in 1153 CE. King Dhonei Kalaminja Siri Bovana Aditta Maha Radhun converted to Islam. He was guided by Yusuf Al-Tabrizi. Mosques have been built in the Maldives since then.
Today, we examine a mosque erected around 150 years after the Maldives converted to Islam. This mosque was known as Baa Miskiy. It was in Malé’s Henveyru Avah ward. It was also called Henveyru Aa Miskiy. During Sultan Muhammad Shamsuddin III’s reign, the inscription read Henveyru Aa Miskiy. The official name now is Masjid Al-Taqwa. Many people call it Sidi Miskiy or Kalhuhuraa Miskiy.
An inscription on the Qibla side shows it was also Masjid Sultan Jalaluddin Umar. Sultan Jalaluddin Umar was King Umar Veeru. He ruled from 1306 to 1341 CE. He fathered Sultan Shihabuddin, Sultana Rehendi Khadija, and Sultana Radafati. Sultana Rehendi Khadija was queen when Ibn Battuta visited the Maldives.
The stone with the inscription is the oldest artifact of the mosque. There may have been a mosque here earlier. King Umar Veeru likely rebuilt an existing mosque. The antique inscription reveals King Umar Veeru built this mosque and named it after himself. This makes the Masjid Ali Hussain over 700 years old.
The stone placed by King Umar Veeru is on the Qibla side. It came from Khambhat in Gujarat, India. Dhivehi speakers called this place Kanbaa. It was a well-known port city. Maldivians traded there. It was a developed city with many goods. Until recently, Maldivians wore a waist cloth called ‘Kanbaa’.
Inscriptions on the wooden beams say Sultan Muhammad Siri Kularanmani Maha Radhun rebuilt it. This was 350 years after King Umar Veeru’s reign. This king, Dhevvadhoo Rasgefaanu, ruled from 1692 to 1701 CE. The beam’s date is Friday, 1st Rajab 1108 Hijri which is January 25, 1697 CE. Dhevvadhoo Rasgefaanu’s seal is on the mosque’s eastern wall. During his reign, many mosques were renovated and rebuilt.
The mosque was renovated again about 200 years after Dhevvadhoo Rasgefaanu. This was in Sultan Muhammad Shamsuddin III’s seventeenth year. The renovation finished on February 20, 1919 CE.
Even after Shamsuddin’s reign, the Masjid Ali Hussain has seen renovations. Verandahs were added to the sides and front.
An octagonal coral stone well stands in front. It is still visible today. The mosque’s wooden ceiling shows Maldivian woodcarving and lacquerwork. It also features Arabic calligraphy.
The Masjid Ali Hussain is more than just a building. It embodies centuries of Maldivian history. It connects the past with the present. Take a moment to appreciate the detailed craftsmanship. Consider the generations who have prayed within these walls. As you leave, carry with you a deeper understanding. Remember the enduring legacy of the Masjid Ali Hussain.