Sharjah to inaugurate 17 new mosques by end of Ramadan

The Sharjah Department of Islamic Affairs has announced the completion of its plans to inaugurate 17 new mosques across Sharjah and its suburbs.

Scheduled to open from early 2026 through the end of Ramadan, this initiative reflects the department’s ongoing commitment to enhancing and maintaining mosques while fostering a spiritually enriching environment.

The planned mosques will be located as follows: 11 in Sharjah city, one in Al Hamriya, four in the Central Region, and one in the Eastern Region.

With a combined capacity to accommodate approximately 9,000 worshippers, both men and women, these additions aim to improve accessibility for residents, allowing them to fulfill their religious practices comfortably and peacefully.

Dr. Issa Saif Bin Hanzal, a Member of the Executive Council and Head of the Department, emphasised that the completion of this plan embodies the vision of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, in prioritising the care of mosques and reinforcing their essential role in community life. He acknowledged the significant and ongoing support provided by Sheikh Sultan for mosque construction initiatives, as well as his steadfast dedication to ensuring adequate land allocation for these projects across the emirate.

He further indicated that the mosques are designed with varying sizes and architectural styles, reflecting the essence of traditional Islamic architecture while considering the unique urban characteristics of each area.

This approach aims to create an atmosphere of serenity and spiritual devotion within these places of worship.

The new mosques have been thoughtfully designed to include designated prayer areas for women, complete with ablution facilities and operational services of the highest standards.

Special attention was given to the accessibility needs of the elderly and individuals with disabilities, ensuring these spaces are welcoming to all members of the community.

The department head highlighted the invaluable efforts of benefactors and donors whose generous contributions have played a key role in building many of these mosques.

He stressed that their support serves as a remarkable testament to communal unity and mutual responsibility. Additionally, he underscored the department’s dedication to facilitating opportunities for donors and philanthropists to assist in mosque construction and upkeep initiatives.

Recently, Sheikh Sultan Bin Ahmed Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, inaugurated Al Nasr Mosque in Al Dhaid.

The mosque, located in the Jabal Omar area, covers a total area exceeding 7,800 square metres and features a contemporary design that blends Islamic symbolism with engineering innovation.

Sheikh Sultan Bin Ahmed was briefed on the mosque’s design, highlighted by a large spherical glass dome measuring 20 metres in diameter and 16 metres in height.

The dome features a geometric mesh structure composed of graduated hexagonal units that dynamically reflect light.

The mosque also includes a 38-metre-tall minaret designed in a modern sculptural style with flowing lines that complement the dome and create a unified visual identity.

The Deputy Ruler reviewed the mosque’s facilities, including a main prayer hall for 470 worshippers, an external courtyard for 140 worshippers, and an outdoor prayer area for 570 worshippers, bringing the total male capacity to 1,180.

The women’s prayer hall accommodates 145 worshippers, raising the mosque’s total capacity to 1,325.

Sheikh Sultan Bin Ahmed toured the mosque’s facilities, which include ablution areas, restrooms for men and women, mortuary washing facilities, a water station, an imam’s residence, a public reading library, and parking areas, providing a comfortable and safe environment for worshippers from Al Dhaid and surrounding areas.

Sheikh Sultan Bin Ahmed performed the Maghrib prayer at Al Nasr Mosque, after which Dr Salem Al Dobi delivered a lecture on the virtues of building mosques and their importance in Islam. He noted that mosques have historically served not only as places of worship but also as centres of learning, education, and Quranic memorisation, fostering unity and compassion within communities.