President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has declared the Thaa Vilufushi Masjid Umar Al Farooq an official Islamic Centre, responding to a long-standing request from the island’s residents.

Announcing the decision during a meeting with the local community on Tuesday, the President confirmed that the centre will feature a dedicated library, classrooms, and other facilities to enhance religious education and community services.

Masjid Umar Al Faarooq, currently home to a Quran outreach programme led by a foreign instructor, is the second-largest mosque in the Maldives. The upgrade to an Islamic Centre is expected to expand its role as a hub for Quran memorisation and broader Islamic learning.