Medhu Ziyaaraiy Shrine

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 torch of Islam.