Kudarikilu Mosque Construction to Begin August 15, Says Minister Shaheem

Physical construction of a new mosque in Kudarikilu, Baa Atoll, is scheduled to begin on August 15 and be completed within a year, Minister of Islamic Affairs and Endowments Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed told Parliament today.

Shaheem gave the update while answering a question from Kendhoo MP Mauroof Zakir about the progress of the mosque project.

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Mauroof said President Dr Mohamed Muizzu announced during a visit to Kudarikilu on August 11, 2025, that a mosque would be built once land for the project was secured. He said the land has since been allocated but physical work has yet to begin.

Shaheem said the mosque, which is planned to accommodate 500 people, was assigned to the FENAKA Corporation for construction. He said the project had been delayed due to FENAKA’s restructuring.

According to FENAKA, construction is scheduled to begin on August 15, and the project will take 365 days to complete, Shaheem said.

Mauroof subsequently questioned FENAKA’s experience in constructing mosques, following comments by the Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development, Dr Abdulla Muththalib, yesterday, that the company lacked sufficient capacity for its core water and sewerage responsibilities.

He also asked whether FENAKA had received the project funds or advance payment and whether the project budget had been finalised.

Shaheem declined to answer those questions, saying they were not limited to the Kudarikilu mosque project and should therefore be addressed by another party.