The original settlers were Divehi people of ariyan origin. Arab traveller by the name of Yoosuf Naib planted the seed of Islam and built a place to worship Allah in the 12th century.In this island where the first mosque was built in the country to worship Allah, has ever since known as a centre of learning and Islamic religious education. Meedhoo is one of the largest islands in the Maldives. It is famous for the scholars it has produced. Since the sixteenth century eight natives of Meedhoo have served as Fandiyaaru, or Qazi, at Malé. To this day, Meedhoo Ulamma and other noted ecclesiastics hold their own with those of the capital. The oldest cemetery in Maldives Kōgaṇṇu is located in Meedhoo.

Despite its distance from the capital Male' and comparatively small size in population, Meedhoo has ever maintained an importance in Maldivian affairs out of all proportions.