Location

Address: Hiriga Goalhi, Fenfushi, Alifu Dhaalu Atoll, Maldives.

Geographic coordinates: 3°45′15″N 72°58′35″E

Description

Mosque capacity: 60 persons.

Mosque area: 58 sqm approx.

Fenfushi Friday mosque was built during the reign of Sultan Mohamed of Dhevvadhu (1692-1701) on the site of an earlier mosque and continues its use as a mosque till today. It is a well-preserved compound with a unique coral stone bathing tank, coral stone wells, a sundial and a large cemetery with grave markers of fine quality. It has an old coral stone boundary wall with two entrances and still has traditional landscaping.

The mosque building has a hypostyle layout with three entrances, one main rising staircase at the front of the mosque and a prayer hall with no dhaala or fenda. A mihrab chamber is present and the mimbar is located in the corner of the chamber. The mosque it is built on a highly decorated coral stone plinth with coral stone walls, columns, beams, doors and roof, all combined using an interlocking dry joinery system. The roof is two-tiered with a modern metal roofing finish and has a highly decorated coffered ceiling with a central stepped recessed laagé. The coffered ceiling and laagé are raised from the main beam using turned timber thona and the main columns are also made from timber. The plinth is decorated with mouldings and surface carvings of geometric and organic patterns. The interior is decorated with carvings of organic patterns on the doors and fine lacquer and calligraphic work. Originally the floor would have been finished with traditional reed mats and lit by traditional oil lamps.

History

The present mosque was constructed during the reign of Sultan Mohamed of Dhevvadhu (1692 – 1701) on the site of an earlier mosque built around early 1600s by Kalhu Kamana of the Utheem Dynasty. The structure is well preserved and intact and there are no records of any changes. Nevertheless, the roofing must have changed many times, but again, no record is available of these changes. Scientific studies and preservation of the mosque were conducted in 2000 and 2011. New metal roofing was added over the mosque building, water well and bathing tank in 2000.