![]() ![]() The old mosque is not seen from outside though the old original mosque and the new extensions can clearly be distinguished visibly and the condition of the old mosque is still very good. The original mosque is now practically within a modern mosque. The expert carpenter who carried out the work for this mosque is also buried in the mosque ground to the eastern side just close to the mosque. The cemetery consists of the tombstones of eminent people such as members from the Utheem Boduthakurufaanu (the Maldivian hero who defeated the Portuguese rule in Maldives) family and Wazirs of Dhiyamigili Dynasty. The tombstones with carvings with rare patterns and Arabic dates are in good condition but the roof of the mausoleum does not exist anymore. The cemetery has a number of very old coral stone tombstones and a mausoleum. The cemetery holds a large part of the mosque complex. ![]() The octagonal coral stone water well inside the complex still serves sweet water for ablution and drinking to the inhabitants. In the early days when there were no speakers the Muzzin would go up the steps to call for prayers. It has four simple steps and is believed to be an addition during the 1950s when the mosque was upgraded. The short minaret of the mosque is made from coral stone and lime mortar. With its fine carvings, entrance steps, carved wooden doors, lacquer calligraphy and decoration, the quality of workmanship is among the best found outside Male’. The roof structure and ceiling is constructed in timber and mainly teak. Typical to the coral mosques it is built on a coral stone platform with coral stonewalls. There is no Mihrab chamber and the Mimbar (the place to deliver the religious speech during the Friday prayers) is located in the corner of the Mihrab Wall. The mosque building is a typically small mosque with the prayer hall and ‘Dhaalas’ or verandah like antechambers on three sides except the Mihrab side. A new boundary wall surrounds the mosque with three entrances. The mosque complex consists of the mosque building, a short minaret, an octagonal water well, a mausoleum and the tombstones of the cemetery. ![]() H.) during the reign of Sultan Ibrahim Muzhiruddin (1701- 1705 CE) and continues its use as a mosque till today. The Friday Mosque in the island of Ihavandhoo was built in 16 December 1701 CE (15 Rajab 1113 A. It is the fusion of these cultures that led to the emergence of new techniques which is seen in the coral stone mosques in Maldives.įriday Mosque, Ihavandhoo, Haa Alifu Atoll It can be concluded that stone construction in Maldives became more refined during the Islamic period and the stone building and especially stone carving techniques of the east African Swahili region influenced the already developed techniques of the Buddhist period. The amount of detail and decoration that goes into these buildings simply displays the extent of the skill of the local people. The walls of the mosques are built of finely shaped interlocking coral blocks. Coral stone construction methods or coral carpentry existed as early as the Buddhist period and continued until the introduction of masonry in the late 18 th century.Ĭoral stone mosques were most outstanding in their design, decoration and grandness. They were highly suitable for architectural and sculptural works. Live reef coral boulders or Porite corals are removed from the seabed, cut to stone blocks while they are soft and air-dried-before it gets used for construction. Coral stone and timber were the only long lasting materials available and coral stone became the primary building material for monumental buildings. The local people practiced Buddhism until the conversion Islam in 1153 CE.Ĭonstruction in ancient Maldives was mainly dependent on the local availability of materials. The Maldives boasts a cultural fusion with a history that extends to 300 BCE, and an interesting interaction between different religions and importantly between Buddhism and Islam. The initial settlers were from India, Sri Lanka, East Africa, Arabia, Persia and the western parts of the Malay Archipelago. Historically, it was famous for the cowry trade and as a transit point for seafarers crossing from East to West and vice versa. The Maldives lies in the middle of the Indian Ocean. ![]()
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