New privately funded mosque to replace old Zikra Mosque

Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed (R) lays the foundation stone for the new Zikra Mosque in Male' city, developed with private funding. (Photo/Ministry of Islamic Affairs)

The Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed, has officially inaugurated the foundation for a new mosque on the historic site of the former Zikra Mosque in Male'. This significant redevelopment project, supported entirely by private funding, aligns with the government's broader strategic objective to modernize aging religious facilities throughout the region. The design for the new structure emphasizes inclusivity and functionality, featuring a 1,500-worshipper capacity and modern accessibility enhancements, such as an elevator. Practical construction activities are scheduled to commence immediately following the conclusion of the upcoming Ramadan period, marking a pivotal transition toward upgraded urban religious infrastructure.

Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed presided over the foundation stone ceremony.
The project is fully financed through private sector contributions.
The new design prioritizes accessibility with a built-in elevator system.
Construction is set to begin post-Ramadan with a 1,500-person capacity.

The foundation stone has been laid for a new mosque to be built on the land where the former Zikra Mosque once stood.

The ceremony was held Sunday evening, with the foundation stone laid by the Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed.

According to the Islamic Ministry, the mosque is being developed with private funding. The new building will be a 1,500‑capacity mosque in the Male' area and will include an elevator to improve accessibility.

'މަސްޖިދުއްޒިކުރާ' މިހާރު ހުރި ބިމުގައި ބިނާކުރާ ޒަމާނީ އާ މިސްކިތުގެ ބިންގާ އަޅުއްވައިދެއްވައިފިއެވެ. މިކަމަށްޓަކައި މިރޭ ބޭއްވުނު ޚާއްސަ ރަސްމިއްޔާތުގައި މިސްކިތުގެ ބިންގާ އަޅުއްވައިދެއްވީ އިސްލާމީކަންތައްތަކާ ބެހޭ ވަޒީރު ޑރ. މުޙައްމަދު ޝަހީމް ޢަލީ ސަޢީދުއެވެ. pic.twitter.com/rIcMkEj238
— Ministry of Islamic Affairs (@MVIaffairs) March 15, 2026

Practical construction work is scheduled to begin after Ramadan.

The ministry said the project is part of its broader plan to replace old mosques with modern facilities. In its announcement, the ministry noted that the new mosque will be built on the site where the Zikra Mosque previously stood.

By Azhaar Abdul Azeez

Writer