Research & Writing by: Thoha Abubakur

The Historic Friday Mosque of Fonadhoo is an important cultural heritage that conveys the story of Islamic unity, religious history, culture and traditions. The stone mosque showcases the craftsmanship of Maldivians. Though the Mosque has unclear time of construction, historically, it is believed that the mosque was built between 1692 and 1695 AD by Al-Allama Al-Faqih Muhammad Siraajuddin. Although the mosque has been remodeled extensively over the time compromising its integrity, there is evidence of decoration in the timber works.
The mosque shows the development of the architecture and the changes in the materials used.

The special tomb near the eastern entrance of the mosque is the burial place of Fonadhoo Dhanna Khatib Thakurufan also known as Addu Meedhoo Ganduvaru Al-Allama Al-Faqih Muhammad Siraajuddin. He died on 24 Rajab 1106H. (10 March 1695 AD). Then, according to the custom of the time, it was built as a shrine and sheltered. Various innovations were carried out in the past regarding the shrine as a votive shrine. Dhanna Khatib Thakurufan was the greatest religious scholar of his time. He taught religious knowledge to many people. When Sultan Muhammad Shamsuddin Al-Hamawi died, many of the senior officials and the citizens wanted to appoint Dhannakhatib Thakurufan as king. However, he did not want to be the kingdom because of his asceticism and migrated to Fonadhoo in secret. Fonadhoo is the hometown of his wife Amina Kanbaidhikilege’s mother. She is also buried very close to the south side of this mosque.

On the north and west sides of the mosque, there are large gravestones with inscriptions in Thaana script & Arabic script, that show the skill and hard work of the people. These tombstones indicate that Fonadhoo was inhabited by talented and distinguished people.