Maldives National Museum to Undergo Major Renovation to Preserve 7,000 Ancient Artifacts

The Maldives National Museum houses over 7,000 historical artifacts, some dating back more than 1,500 years, though only a small fraction of the collection is currently available to the public. Minister of Arts, Culture and Heritage Heena Waleed revealed that only about 600 items are on display, citing significant hurdles in cataloging and preserving the vast inventory. Responding to inquiries in the Majlis (the Maldivian Parliament), Minister Heena detailed the urgent need for modernization. She noted that the museum has not undergone a major renovation to date and requires extensive repairs and digitalization to ensure the long-term survival of the nation's heritage. To address these challenges, the Maldivian government is collaborating with China to renovate and expand the facility. “Even though there are 7,000 historical artefacts in the museum, there are challenges in categorising, measuring and safely maintaining these items,” Minister Heena stated. She confirmed that funding has been secured for the project and work is expected to commence shortly. As part of the expansion, the ministry is also developing an interactive immersive museum as a specialized branch of the National Museum. Beyond the museum, the Minister addressed the preservation of the Malé Friday Mosque (Hukuru Miskiy), specifically its iconic minaret. She explained that maintaining the landmark is a complex process, hampered by the difficulty of sourcing high-quality lime and the impact of tropical weather on the drying process of lime plaster. Despite these obstacles, the National Centre for Cultural Heritage continues to perform conservation work according to international standards. The broader strategy for these cultural investments aligns with President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's policy to diversify the national economy. By upgrading these historical sites, the government aims to foster 'heritage tourism,' creating a new pillar for the tourism sector that emphasizes the Maldives' rich ancestral history over its traditional focus on sun and sand.