Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed has said that the immediate repairs of King Salman Mosque will cost MVR 6 million and the Government aims to officially open the mosque after Hajj.

Addressing a press conference at the Ministry to brief the media about the activities being carried out by the Islamic Ministry, the Minister said that the cooling system of the King Salman Mosque has been completely destroyed.

"There are issues with the AC's because the cooling system is out of order" Minister Dr. Shaheem said.

According to the Minister, the problem arose because despite the temporary opening and use of the mosque, not enough maintenance work had been carried out.

"The repairs will cost MVR 6 million and the Government is working on arranging the funds," the said.

Minister Dr. Shaheem said that the aim is to repair the Mosque in the Maldives and open it as soon as the renovation work is completed.

"We are aiming to open the mosque after Hajj," the Minister said.

The King Salman Mosque was earlier scheduled to open in March 2020, but it is yet to be officially opened as it was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but it was temporarily opened on April 1, 2022.

The King Salman Mosque cost over MVR 300 million and construction started during former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom's tenure.