ISLAMIC CENTRE AND GRAND MOSQUE

The gigantic golden aluminium dome of the Islamic Centre stands out against the whiteness of Malé's other monuments. It was financed by Saudi Arabia, Libya and the Sultanate of Brunei and inaugurated in 1984. The building houses a library, conference rooms and the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs. But its main attraction lies in its Great Mosque, known as the Friday Mosque, whose prayer hall can accommodate up to 5,000 worshippers. It is named after the national hero, Sultan Mohammed Thakurufaanu, who ended the Portuguese Christian presence in the 17th century. When it was built, the Islamic Centre was the tallest building in the country, before the towers changed the skyline of the island. It was commissioned to reflect the new prosperity of the country. The interior is large and bright, paved with marble tiles imported from Greece. Verses from the Qur'an and wooden panels carved by Maldivian craftsmen adorn the large prayer hall, whose floor is covered with Pakistani rugs. Visitors are asked to wear proper clothing, covering their legs and arms, and to remove their shoes before washing their feet in the basins provided. Please note that you are not obliged to visit the mosque in the company of a guard, contrary to what you may be told. On the other hand, photographs are not allowed.