Hukuru Miskiiy (Old Friday Mosque)
Attraction Hukuru Miskiy Medhuziyaarai Magu Malé Maldives Published on: 13-11-2015
| 1 hour | |
| 07:00 AM | |
| 08:00 AM | |
| First-time visit | |
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Attraction
Historic
Landmark
Must see
Kids
Free
Architecture
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| 0.00 USD |
Hukuru Miskiiy (Old Friday Mosque) is good for
Family with kids
Good
Senior
Good
Couple
Good
Solo
Good
Group
Good
- Highly recommended by fellow travellers.
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Why Hukuru Miskiiy (Old Friday Mosque) is special ?
Hukuru Miskiy or Old Friday Mosque is an ancient decorated mosque located in the city of Malé, Kaafu Atoll, Maldives. The mosque was originally constructed in 1658 under the reign of Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar I over two-year time. It’s a beautiful structure made from coral stone into which intricate decoration and Quranic script have been chiseled. The mosque was built on the foundations of an old temple that faced west towards the setting sun, not northwest towards Mecca. Consequently, the worshippers have to face the corner of the mosque when they pray – the striped carpet, laid at an angle, shows the correct direction.
Source: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/
What to explore at Hukuru Miskiiy (Old Friday Mosque)?
Overlooking the mosque is the solid, round, blue-and-white tower of the munnaaru – the squat minaret. To one side of the mosque is a cemetery with many elaborately carved tombstones. Stones with rounded tops are for females, those with pointy tops are for males and those featuring gold-plated lettering are the graves of former sultans. The small buildings are family mausoleums and their stone walls are intricately carved.
Even though an ugly protective corrugated-iron sheet now covers the roof and some of the walls, this is still a fascinating place. The interior is superb and famed for its fine lacquer work and elaborate woodcarvings. One long panel, carved in the 13th century, commemorates the introduction of Islam to the Maldives.
Source: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/
How to get to Hukuru Miskiiy (Old Friday Mosque)?
The Old Friday Mosque is 8 minutes walking from the Hulhumale' Ferry Terminal in Male via Boduthakurufaanu Magu and Medhuziyaarai Magu. You can also take bus number 101 to Sultan Park Bus-Station. The Old Friday Mosque is 170m from Sultan Park Bus-Station.
Selling points
- An historic mosque in heart of Male
- Jump back in time
- Rustic old mosque
- Perfect Piece of History in Male'
- The only authentic mosque in Male'
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- Duration
- 4.0 days
- Estimated
- 2,389.41 USD
- Total travel distance
- km
- Number of places
- 5 places
Location
Hukuru Miskiy Medhuziyaarai Magu Malé Maldives
Tips for you
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Visitors wishing to see inside are supposed to get permission from an official permission from the Ministry of Islamic Affairs. If you are respectful and well-dressed they will usually give you permission to enter the mosque on the spot.Things to do
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If you visit the mosque without a tour guide, you can ask the official staff of the ministry, they will tell you many stories which can make the visit really thought provoking.Things to do
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Photography is not allowed inside the prayer hall of the mosque.Photography
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If you are non-Muslim, you can also visit the mosque, but only the ground outside.Rule
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You have to remove your shoes at the door or gate if you wish to enter inside the mosque.Rule
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The mosque opens 24 hours a day (except prayer time), so it's better to visit in the morning to avoid the noon prayer.Timming
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Every Friday, just before lunch time, thousands congregate will come to this mosque for praying. You should beware of your belongings to avoid pickpockets.Safety
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You must dress respectfully when entering any religious building like headscarves. For ladies no shorts or bare shoulders for anyone.Costume
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The Hukuru Miskiiy is very near the modern Grand Friday Mosque, you can spend a morning to visit both of them.Things nearby
Reviews
One of the oldest places of prayer in Maldives. Its been proposed to be included on UN world heritage list.
Male does not have many historical sites and the Old Griday Mosque clearly is the most important. Dating back to 1656 this still operating mosque is delicately carved out of old coral stone with some beautiful and intricate designs. Unfortunately, the building gets somewhat lost underneath the corrugated steel structure which was installed to protect the mosque from the elements (one would have hoped something more elegant would have been designed). The mosque is surrounded by a very old Cemetary and some simple gardens. Access to the mosque interior is possible but (1) you better be properly attired and (2) you need permission.
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