E‑petition submitted to Parliament urging protection of Bandara Mosque as a historical site

An e‑petition has been submitted to Parliament calling for the protection of the Bandara Mosque, also known as Masjid‑ul‑Sultan Mohamed Shamsuddin, as a historical site.

The petition comes three days after Islamic Minister Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed said the Bandara Mosque is not listed as a heritage site, and that he wished to discuss the possibility of constructing a new mosque on the site. He also said a generous donor had offered to fund the development of a modern mosque in its place.

The minister’s remarks sparked widespread criticism on social media, with many calling for the preservation of the existing mosque. Amid the public reaction, Hussain Firushan, a candidate in the upcoming council elections, submitted an e‑petition to Parliament requesting formal protection for the site.

The mosque, originally named Bunbaa Miskiiy and now known as Bandaara Miskiiy (officially Masjid Al-Sultan Mohamed Shamsuddeen), is a historic Shiite mosque built in 1927 during the reign of Sultan Mohamed Shamsuddeen III. It was constructed by Dawoodi Bohra merchants who settled… pic.twitter.com/YwIKPljKax

— Dhivehi Archives by Naajih Didi (@NaajihDidi) March 6, 2026

Firushan argued that the Bandara Mosque holds exceptional historical value due to its association with the period of exile and the Maldives’ eventual freedom from British protection. The petition states that most sites linked to the country’s independence struggle have already been lost, and that Bandara Mosque remains the only surviving structure connected to that era.

Former Maldives National University (MNU) Vice‑Chancellor Dr Hassan Hameed also expressed concern, saying he had learned that the government intends to demolish the old mosque. He stressed that historical buildings are vital cultural assets, adding that he has observed a lack of appreciation among some Maldivians for the nation’s history and heritage.