King Salman mosque nears completion

The massive King Salman Mosque being constructed on the eastern edge of Male’ city is nearing completion with almost 91 percent of the project already finished.

A Planning Ministry official stated to “Sun” that all the work included in the scope of the contract for the mosque, constructed with the aid of Saudi Arabia, will be completed within January.

Currently, work is being carried out on landscaping, lighting and travertine tiling works on the parapet walls, as well as some interior designing work.

“All of the work on the ground floor is completed. What remains is the cleaning and finishing works (ground floor). Some calligraphy work on the first floor is still being carried out. All the work on the third and fourth floor is also completed and is now being cleaned” said the official.

Work on the parking zone near the mosque will be commenced in January, according to the official. The government had pledged a 44,100-foot area for parking near the mosque. Planning Ministry has previously estimated that 4000 worshippers can be accommodated on the first and second floor of the mosque.

Floor details

Third floor

• Four classrooms able to accommodate 40 students
• Five seminar rooms able to accommodate 15 people

Fourth floor

• A library
• An auditorium able to accommodate 350 people

Fifth floor

• A multi-purpose hall able to accommodate 300 people

The mosque had undergone some design changes due to funding difficulties. The government had previously estimated that around 10,000 people would be able to pray at the mosque. Around USD 14.5 million was provided by the Saudi government. The remaining amount from the total USD 25 million was funded by the Maldivian government.