Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed has laid the foundation stone for a new mosque in Vilimalé accommodating 1,000 worshippers.
Construction began with the foundation stone ceremony on 9 October 2026. The mosque is being built on the site of Masjidussalaam. The project is supported by Fiya Foundation, a charitable organisation.
The Ministry of Islamic Affairs said that evening that the mosque would have two storeys. Alongside prayer space, it will include two classrooms for religious education and awareness programmes. There will also be a dedicated office for imams.
The ministry expressed hope that the new mosque would significantly ease the shortage of prayer space for Vilimalé residents.
While providing details of the project, the ministry also discussed ongoing projects to develop religious facilities across the Maldives. According to its statement, more than 70 projects in this sector are underway.
These projects include building mosques, Islamic centres, branches of the National Centre for the Holy Quran and waqf buildings, the ministry said.