Dubai to build world's first floating mosque worth Dhs55 million

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

The Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (IACAD) in Dubai, on Thursday, announced the launch of a number of new plans, programmes and initiatives to promote religious tourism in the emirate.

This came during a press conference held at the IACAD's headquarters in the presence of Dr. Hamad Bin Sheikh Ahmed Al Shaibani, Director General of IACAD, Mohammed Ali Bin Zayed Al Falasi, Executive Director of the Mosques Affairs, Dr. Omar Mohammed Al Khatib, Executive Director of the Islamic Affairs, Ahmed Khalfan Al Mansouri, Advisor for Cultural Communication, and Mohammed Musabah Dahi, Executive Director of the Charitable Work, along with directors of departments.

For his part, Al Mansouri explained that the new projects are expected to contribute to increasing the number of annual visitors from Muslims and non-Muslims to the emirate by 3-4 per cent.

On the top of these projects, IACAD unveiled plans to build the world's first floating mosque in Dubai at a total cost of Dhs55 million.

The mosque will be located on the water under the Tolerance Bridge.

The mosque, which scheduled to be completed by 2024, will consist of three floors, as the first will be underwater and dedicated to prayer. It accommodates 75 people.

The second floor will be a multi-purpose hall, while the third floor will be an Islamic exhibition.

IACAD is also going to establish a Quranic exhibition in one of the emirate's mosques. This exhibition will introduce the journey of the late Sheikh Maktoum Bin Rahsid Al Maktoum's Mushaf from since it was just an idea to its writing and distribution around the world.

The Department is also planning to carry out various religious and social events that bring together the people of the new neighborhoods in the Emirate of Dubai under the Hala Ramadan initiative.

Moreover, it will establish markets next to some vital mosques in Dubai, or centers affiliated with the department, with the aim of targeting Muslim and non-Muslim tourists, to learn about our customs and traditions in the Islamic occasions.