Calls Grow to Preserve Historic Bandara Mosque Amid Redevelopment Plans

Public debate has intensified following the decision to build a new mosque on the site of Bandara mosque, also known as Masjid-al-Sultan Muhammad Shamsuddin, which has stood in Malé for nearly 100 years.

Bandara mosque, located near Republic Square and STO Supermart, is believed to have been built by Bohra traders in the early 20th century. The mosque, once called Bumba mosque, later became known as Bandara mosque.

Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed said work to develop the mosque to modern standards would begin after Ramadan. He said the project would be carried out with the support of a private donor.

މާލެ ބަންޑާރަ މިސްކިތް ހުރި ތަނުގައި ޒަމާނީ ބޮޑު މިސްކިތެއް އެޅުމުގެ މަސައްކަތް ރޯދަމަސް ފަހުން ފެށިގެންދާނެ އިންޝާ ﷲ. މިކަމަށް ބޭނުންވާ އެހީތެރިކަން ދީލަތި ފަރާތަކުން ވަނީ ހަމަޖެހިފަ. މިއާއެކު މާލެ ގެ ބޮޑެތި ހުރިހައި މިސްކިތެެއް އާވެގެން ދިޔައީ الحمد لله.— Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed (@Mohamedshaheem1) March 6, 2026

The minister stated that Bandara mosque is not listed as a protected historical site and argued that the age of a building alone does not require it to be preserved in its original form. He compared the situation to major Islamic sites that have been expanded and renovated over time to accommodate growing numbers of worshippers.

Shaheem also said the mosque must be enlarged due to increasing population pressure in the market area, particularly during Ramadan.

ބަންޑާރަ މިސްކިތް ތަޅައިލުމަކީ އެއްގޮތަކަށްވެސް ކޮށްގެންވާނެ ކަމެއް ނޫން. އެއީ 98 އަހަރުވެފައިވާ މާލޭގެ މުހިންމު ދީނީ، ތާރޚީ، ސަގާފީ ބިނާއެއް. ރާއްޖޭގެ މި ފަދަ ތާރީޚީ ބިނާތަކާއި ސަގާފީ ތަރިކަ ރައްކާތެރިކުރުމަށް ސަގާފީ ތަރިކަ ޤާނޫނެއް ހަދައި ތަސްދީޤް ކުރެވިފައިވާނެ.… pic.twitter.com/o7UV7zi6lq— Yumna Maumoon 🇲🇻 🤝🇵🇸 (@yumna_maumoon) March 6, 2026

However, the decision has drawn criticism from historians and social media users who are calling for the preservation of the structure. Historical researcher Najih Didi said replacing the nearly 100-year-old mosque would cause irreversible cultural loss and may contradict the country’s heritage protection laws. Former Heritage Minister Yumna Maumoon described the mosque as an important religious, historical and cultural structure protected under the Cultural Heritage Act.

Former Justice Minister Mohamed Muizzu Adnan also argued that the mosque is one of the few remaining historical structures in Malé and warned against the destruction of cultural heritage. Adnan Haleem, a former government official, said the mosque should be preserved as it reflects historical craftsmanship and community heritage.

Despite the criticism, the minister maintained that Bandara mosque has undergone changes during previous administrations and that there is no legal or religious requirement to preserve it in its current form.