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The Islamic Centre
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Malé's
most famous architectural landmark is the three-storey Islamic
Centre, opened in November 1984. The Centre's Grand Friday Mosque,
Masjid-al-Sultan Mohammed Thakurufaanu-al-A'z'am is the biggest in
the Maldives, accommodating more than 5,000 worshippers. The
shining golden dome of the mosque is a standout as are also the
interior walls decorated with beautiful woodcarvings and Arabic
calligraphy. The centre also house a library and a conference
hall.
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Hukuru Miskiiy
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The Hukuru
Miskiiy or the old Friday Mosque, was built in 1656 during the
reign of Sultan Ibrahim Iskandhar 1. The interior
and exterior walls of this historic mosque, built with coral
shores, are intricately curved with Arabic writings and
ornamental patters. The roof, window frames, and doors are made of
different types of wood including teak, red sandalwood,
and redwood. There is an abundance of beautiful coral carvings and
expert lacquer work inside the mosque, the latter being
most conspicuous in the laage, or domes, built as part of the
ceiling. The compound of the mosque also encloses a
number of ancient tombstones erected in memory of past sultan's,
heroes and nobles.
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Interior of
Hukuru Miskiiy |
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Interior
of Hukuru Miskiiy |
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Munnaaru
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Close to the
Friday Mosque is this gleaming white minaret also built by Sultan
Ibrahim Iskandhar in 1675. The chief
muezzin of Malé called the faithful to prayer from this minaret
before the Islamic Centre was built. |
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Medhu ziyaarath
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Opposite the
Hukuru Miskiiy is the Medhu Ziyaarath, the shrine of Abu al
Barakaath Yusuf al Barbari, a North African, believed
to be responsible for converting the Maldives to Islam way back in
AD 1153. |
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Mulee-aage
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Mulee-aage,
the former Presidential Palace, was originally built by Sultan
Shamsuddeen III for his son just before the first
world war. Soon after the banishment of the sultan and his son in
May 1936, the house was declared a government property.
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The Mulee-aage was officially declared and used as an office
complex. by subsequent governments. After the
country becomes Republic in 1953, the Mulee-aage
became the 'Presidents Official Residence'. However in 1986, the house was
renamed the 'Presidential Palace' and was upgraded to hold
official functions and to accommodate visiting Heads of States
and other foreign dignitaries.
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Sultan Park and the
National Museum
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Maldives changed from a Republic to a Sultanate and back to a
Republic in a span of just 16 years (1953 to 1968). The Sultan's
Palace however was demolished except for a three-storey building
and the palace grounds were turned into a public park known as
the Sultan Park. The surviving palace building within the park
is today the National Museum.
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Opened on November 19, 1952, the
national museum
displays a large and varied collection of a glorious
bygone era including stone objects from the pre-Islamic
period; royal antiquities like thrones, palanquins,
costumes, coins, and ornaments, arms and amours. Two of
the most significant items on display are the coral
stone head of Lord Buddha and a wooden panel erected in
the Hukuru
Miskiiy. Timings: 9 AM - 3 PM. Closed on Fridays and
public holidays. |
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Artificial Beach |
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This is the place where you will find most people in the
late afternoons.
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Despite so many beautiful beaches in Maldives, the capital
is not blessed in this respect. Today
the people of Male' can enjoy a good swim at artificial
beach. This is a popular place for parents who take their
kids for some fresh air and space to enjoy.
Today it is not only a popular place for swimmers, but a
variety of sports, games shows and other events such as live
music shows as well. On a regular day, it is a place for
swimmers, children, parents and active sportsman. On special
occasions, it is a place for get together, music shows,
carnivals, parades and you name it. On Fridays the beach is
quite packed, so consider this fact before getting there for
a swim. |
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Dharubaaruge |
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This building is where most of the government meetings and gatherings
take place.
Some important conferences, events, exams, parties, wedding
receptions are being held here.
This building was built in a very short period of time for
the 5th South Asia Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)
Summit which took place during November 1990.
Fifth SAARC Summit coincided with the Twenty Fifth
Anniversary of the Independence of the Maldives.
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Presidential Palace |
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The Presidential Palace has been
built on the site of the previous presidential palace "Theemuge", this is one of the most beautiful building
in the country, and could easily be counted among the most
wonderful examples of modern
eclectic
architecture in South Asia.
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The Palace is actually the
official residence of the President of the Republic of
Maldives.
Built in an eclectic style, the Presidential Palace is the
venue where the President occasionally hosts receptions on
very special occasions, and also where anyone can greet him
at particular times on the occasions of the Islamic Eids. |
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Tomb of
Mohammed Thakurufaanu
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This tomb is
erected in the compound of the Bihuroazu Kamanaa Miskiiy, in
memory of Sultan Ghaazee Mohammed
Thakurufaanu, regarded as the greatest of national heroes. He
liberated the country from Portuguese rule, who had
been occupying the land for 15 years after defeating Sultan Ali VI
in 1558. The day of independence falling on the 1st of
the
Islamic month of Rabeeu'l Awwal, is regarded today as the National
Day.
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Jumhooree Maidan
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This Republic
Square, constructed along he northern waterfront in 1989, is Malé's most popular place for social gatherings
and relaxation. It is also one of the favourite evening hangouts
for children. On the eastern end of the square stands the
official flag post on which is hoisted a permanent flag, the
largest in the country. |
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Harbour
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When one approaches Malé from the north, the first thing that
strikes the eye would be the number of cargo vessels
lying at anchor in the outer harbor (the Maldives imports just
about all its basic life requirements!) and the number of speed
boats and traditional dhoani in the inner harbor. |
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Local Market & Fish
Market
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If one's
interests lie in shopping, very close to the local Market you will
find the
souvenir shops and of course, these are a must. Special interests,
e.g., in electronic goods (famous brands at very attractive rates
when compared to European rates!) must be mentioned to
one's guide.
The main
commercial area of Male' is located on the northern waterfront
of Male'. This area is the main hub of trade and is a hive of
activity through out the day. The waterfront and the by-lanes in
the area are crowded with shops stocked with a variety of goods.
Also in the
area are the Male' Fish Market and the Local Market selling a
range of local produce. While some 'dhonis' from all corners of
the country unload dried fish, fresh fruits and vegetables from
the atolls others are seen loading everything from foodstuffs to
construction materials. The pace increases in mid-afternoon as
fishing 'dhonis' start returning with their day's catch. The
catch, mainly tuna are carried across the road into the
open-sided market and laid out on the tiled floors. As fast as
the fish are brought in they are bought and taken away by men
from all walks of life. The market is kept scrupulously clean,
washed down each day and disinfected. |
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