Medhu Ziyaaraiy — Attraction in Malé

This is NOT the tomb of Abul Barakath Yusuf Barbari. Why do I say this?

Well, lets talk about the one who is actually buried here in this shire/tomb:

Sheik Yusuf Shamsuddin of Tabriz, also known as Abul Barakath (or Rikab, similar meaning) Yusuf Thabriz (Pronounced: Thabreyzi).

Yes. this is the man who introduced Islam to this country in the year 1153 AD. So how did the name "barbari" and the idea of the man being from "Morocco" come into existence?

A famous traveler names Ibn Battuta, who visited Maldives during the reign of Sultan Shihabuddin in the year of 1344 AD had tried to read an inscription on a wooden tablet, where the writing on it used an Arabic calligraphy style (Kufic) which did not contain the dot (thiki) which are used in the traditional Arabic today, and had misread it as barbari (from Barbara) . And since Morocco had a Barbara, he believed the man is from Morocco. However, several evidence have now proven this wrong, and in fact has proven that the name is Tabrez and is not from Morocco. Some of the evidences are;

1- lacquer writing in the Male' Friday mosque (Location: On the right wall, above the white rotating fan currently located on the right of the entrance to the middle section of the mosque from the Ablution (Wudu) Section, which clearly states his name.

2- The two black and white rectangular wooden carvings with Arabic writing, on the right and left of the entrance to the front section (Where the imam leads the prayer, and where the minbar is), visible from the middle section.

3- H.C.P Bells Monograph (1922) Page 8

4- Writing of German Linguist Jost Gippert regarding the Gamu Filaa Faiykolhu.

*Gamu Filaa kolhu was a wooden filaa kolhu sent to the people of Gan in Addu by Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar I (1648 - 1687) written on wood from a Breadfruit tree (Bambu Keyo) in the year 1068, where it is mentioned that the person who introduced Islam to Maldives was Sheik Jalal Yusuf Thabriz.

5- Thareek by Al Gazi Hassan Thajuddin

6- Writing found inside the...

Situated near the great Hukuru Miskiiy in Maldives, Medhu Ziyaaraiy is the tomb of the famous Morocco scholar Abdul Barakat Yoosuf Al Barbary who is credited for the advent of Islam in the Maldives during 1153 AD. The tomb is a symbol of peace which prevails among the Maldivian population.

According to folklore, Abdul Barakat Yoosuf Al Barbary helped the people of the Maldives get rid of the sea demon to escape from whose wrath, every month, a virgin girl was left alone for him in the temple, only to be found dead the following day. As Abdul Barakat freed the Maldivians from the terror of the demon Rannamaari, the king agreed to convert himself and his people to Islam. Since then, people visit Medhu Ziyaaraiy to show respect towards Abdul Barakat for he enlightened their lives with the...

Medhuziaaray Or Central Shrine / Mausoleum Was A Really Great And Interesting Shrine, I've Interested In Shrines Since 2020, It Was Amazing And Really Interested The History About How Maldives Converted To Islam In The 12th Century From Moroccoan Hafiz, But Sadly I Haven't Seen The Grave Of Abu Bakr & I Only Saw The Shrine That 2 Graves, I Recently Heard About Long Time Ago, Many People Went To Medhuziaaray For Offerings, Incense Burning And Prayers, But The Government Of Maldives Has Banned Those Practices That Lead To Shrik Starting 1957, In 2010 On The Day That Maldives Embraced Islam, More Than 3,000K + Locals Went To Medhuziaaray For Visiting...