Coral boulders of the genus Porites, found throughout the archipelago, are the basic materials used for construction of this and other mosques in the country because of its suitability.

[1] The mosque was added to the tentative UNESCO World Heritage cultural list in 2008 as unique examples of sea-culture architecture.

[2] In terms of artistic excellence and construction technique using only interlocking assembly, it is one of the finest coral stone buildings of the world.

The Medhu Ziyaaraiy is the tomb of a Sunni Muslim visitor named Abu al-Barakat Yusuf al-Thabrizi who introduced Islam to the Maldives in 1153 CE.

[4][6] The mosque, in a walled enclosure, is made of interlocking coral blocks[6] with its hypostyle roof supported by cut-coral columns.

Local master carpenters, known as maavadikaleyge, fashioned the mosque's woodwork, roof and interior, and its wall panels and ceilings have many culturally-significant examples of traditional Maldivian woodcarving and lacquerwork.

[4] The mosque's adjoining large, round blue-and-white minaret (built in 1675) resembles a wedding cake,[6] with a wide base similar to a ship's funnel.

According to the UNESCO appraisal, "The architecture, construction and accompanying artistry of the mosque and its other structures represent the creative excellence and achievement of the Maldivian people".