Mosque to be built in memory of soldier lost at sea during rescue mission

A mosque is to be built in memory of MNDF Staff Sergeant Ibrahim Ahmed, one of the three individuals who went missing after the supply vessel 'Friend 4' sank in the Huvadhoo Sea on August 5.

Following reports received on the night of August 5 that the vessel, which had departed Thilafushi on August 2 carrying cargo to Huvadhoo Atoll, was taking on water and sinking, the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) and the Maldives Police Service launched a joint search and rescue operation.

Of the eight individuals aboard the vessel, seven were successfully rescued during the operation.

In addition to Ibrahim, the vessel's captain, Mohamed Hamdhoon, Dhonveli, Th. Madifushi), and Police Sergeant Ali Nafiu, who was involved in the initial rescue efforts, also went missing in the incident. Despite an extensive search operation conducted by the MNDF across the Huvadhoo Sea, the military announced on September 23 that the search had officially been called off.

"Lockers", a non-governmental organization based in GDh. Thinadhoo that organizes sports and youth-related activities, has launched a fundraising appeal to construct a mosque in Bangladesh in Ibrahim's memory.

According to the NGO, the mosque, dedicated to Ibrahim, who was also recognized as a talented futsal player, will be built on a 950-square-foot plot of land at an estimated cost of MVR 300,000.

A member of Ibrahim's family has also shared a post on social media, appealing to the public to contribute as much as possible towards the cause.

Mosques have previously been built abroad in memory of prominent Maldivian figures.