Dhevvadhoo seeks king's tomb relocation

Residents of Dhevvadhoo have formally requested the relocation of King Dhevvadhoo Rasgefanu's tomb from the Mal Friday Mosque grounds back to his native island in Gaafu Alifu Atoll. Gemanafushi constituency MP Asadullah Shihab raised the question directly with Heritage Minister Adam Naseer during a parliamentary session, expressing the community's strong desire to have their historic ruler's final resting place returned home. "Dhevvadhoo is an island to which a king belongs, and the people wish for his tomb to be in Dhevvadhoo," Shihab stated, inquiring whether existing procedures could facilitate the transfer or if new mechanisms could be established. Minister Naseer offered a cautious response, acknowledging the request but stopping short of commitment. "I will have to think about that, you know," he replied, indicating the matter required further consideration. Sultan Muhammad Ghiyas ud-din, known as Dhevvadhoo Rasgefanu, ruled the Maldives from 1766 to 1773 and was celebrated for advancing education and economic development. After being deposed during a rebellion and exiled, he passed away in the Hijri year 1112. His remains were transported to Malé and interred within the historic Friday Mosque compound, which serves as the final resting place for numerous Maldivian royalty and national figures. — Source fragments: