Welcoming Ramadan This Year, UAE Sharjah Authority Opens 20 New Mosques

JAKARTA - Sharjah Authority, United Arab Emirates (UAE) opened a number of new mosques to welcome the Holy Month of Ramadan this year.

Sharjah's Islamic Affairs Department said the newly opened mosques were scattered in various areas of the emirate and could collectively accommodate more than 2,000 worshipers.

"This is part of a broader plan by the department to open 20 new mosques in various districts in Sharjah right in the month of Ramadan," said Sharjah Islamic Affairs Department Head Abdullah Al Sabousi, quoted by The National News March 4.

"These projects are part of a long-term plan to expand the mosque's network in the emirate, by ensuring all areas are well served," he continued.

He added that the initiative aims to provide places of worship that are easily accessible to residents and visitors while creating a peaceful and spiritual atmosphere during the Holy Month of Ramadan.

One of the mosques opened in Ramadan this time was the Hosn Al Khatimah Mosque in Al Barashi. Built in a modern Islamic architectural style, the mosque is funded by a philanthropist, spanning an area of 4,072 square meters and covers the main prayer hall and supporting facilities. The new mosque houses 400 worshipers, including 80 places for women.

In Kalba, two new mosques are opened to serve the increasing number of worshipers. First, the Al Baraa Bin Aws Mosque, located in Al Saf and built with a traditional Islamic architectural style on an area of 2,601 square meters. This mosque can accommodate 850 worshipers, including 100 places for women.

Nearby, Al Nitaqain's Dhat Al Mosque on Al Ghail features a mix of Islamic architectural influences and Fatimiyah. The mosque is built on an area of 1,747 square meters and has a place for 350 worshipers, including 50 places for women.

Another newly opened mosque is Al Sahabi Mosque Al Tufail bin Malik in Al Dhaid and Umm Habib Mosque bint Al wayam in Khor Fakkan. The first mosque, located in Suhaila Tiga, has an area of 2,163 square meters and can accommodate 600 worshipers, including 50 places for women. The second mosque, located in Al Haray, was built on an area of 1,930 square meters and provided a place of prayer for 400 worshipers, with 50 places for women.

Meanwhile, in Al Hamriyah, the Al Sahabi Mosque Salim bin Amr was built in the Ajmal Makan housing complex and can accommodate 250 worshipers.

Last year, the department opened 40 mosques, including 30 mosques before the end of Ramadan and 10 mosques by the end of the year.