Minister of Arts, Culture and Heritage Heena Waleed has announced that the Maldives has submitted the nomination dossier for the inclusion of its historic coral stone mosques on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Speaking at a press briefing held at the President’s Office today, Minister Heena said the nomination file was completed and officially submitted to UNESCO on January 21 this year.

The mosques proposed for inclusion are the Male' Friday Mosque, Ihavandhoo Friday Mosque, Raa Meedhoo Friday Mosque, Fenfushi Friday Mosque and the Isdhoo Old Mosque.

She noted that the Maldives’ coral stone carving tradition is recognised by experts as a world-class form of art and an important part of the country’s cultural heritage.

Minister Heena added that following the submission of the dossier, a team from the International Council on Monuments and Sites is scheduled to visit the Maldives in September this year to assess and monitor the sites.

She also announced that an important cultural heritage convention will be held in the Maldives from the 5th to the 6th of this month in collaboration with UNESCO.