Imagine standing before a structure seemingly born from the sea itself. This is Masjid Waguthee Miskiy. It is also known as the Malé Friday Mosque or the Old Friday Mosque. Completed in 1658, Masjid Waguthee Miskiy is the oldest and most ornate mosque in the Maldives.
The story of Masjid Waguthee Miskiy begins long before its current form. It was built over an older mosque. That mosque was erected in 1153 by the first Muslim Sultan of Maldives. His name was Dhovemi. He built it after his conversion to Islam.
Look closely at the walls of Masjid Waguthee Miskiy. They are made of coral boulders. These boulders are of the genus Porites. This type of coral is found throughout the archipelago. The coral is soft when wet. It is easily cut to size. When dry, it becomes a sturdy building block.
Notice the intricate carvings. Quranic inscriptions adorn the walls. The interlocking coral blocks create a unique structure. The hypostyle roof is supported by cut-coral columns. Master carpenters known as maavadikaleyge fashioned the woodwork. The mosque’s interior features culturally significant Maldivian woodcarving and lacquerwork.
In 1656, Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar I started constructing a new mosque. The old one had become too small. The construction took one and a half years. It finished in 1658. Initially, the mosque had a thatched roof. This was common at the time.
Later, in 1668, Ibrahim I added a munnaaru. That is a minaret. He also built a gate on the mosque’s southern end after his Hajj. The minaret’s design mirrored those at the entrance to Mecca.
Around Masjid Waguthee Miskiy lies a 17th-century cemetery. Intricately carved tombstones mark the graves. The shapes distinguish males and females. They also mark sultans and their families. Women’s tombstones have rounded tops. Men’s have pointed tops. Gilded inscriptions denote royalty. Small mausoleums with decorated stone walls mark family members’ graves.
Muhammad Shamsuddeen III replaced the thatched roof in 1904. He also replaced the southern gateway. He used corrugated-iron sheeting. In 1963, further renovations occurred. The roof supports became teak wood. The corrugated iron was replaced with aluminum.
An Indian team conserved the mosque in 1987 and 1988. They were from the National Research Laboratory for Conservation of Cultural Property. They also came from the National Centre for Linguistic and Historical Research in Malé.
Masjid Waguthee Miskiy faces west. The prayer carpet angles towards the northwest corner. This ensures worshippers face Mecca during prayer. Devotees enter through two gates leading to the mosque’s dhaala. The main building is divided into three sections. These are the mihtab, the medhu miskiy and the fahu miskiy.
The minaret next to Masjid Waguthee Miskiy was built in 1675. It resembles a wedding cake. Its wide base is similar to a ship’s funnel. It is made of coral stones. Metal strips brace it.
In 2008, Masjid Waguthee Miskiy was added to the UNESCO World Heritage tentative list. It stands as a testament to Maldivian creativity. The mosque represents the unique sea-culture architecture. Its construction showcases the tongue-in-groove technique. This represents a highly developed building level for its time. The architecture embodies the religious and social practices of cultural significance.
As you stand here, consider the centuries of devotion. Think of the craftsmanship that went into every coral block. Masjid Waguthee Miskiy is more than a building. It is a living testament to Maldivian history and culture. It is a story etched in stone and tradition.