Dubai’s Eco-friendly Mosque 85% Complete

The construction of the region’s first eco-friendly mosque in Dubai is 85 per cent complete and is set to open doors shortly, according to its developer Awqaf and Minors Affairs Foundation (AMAF).

Suspended ceilings have been installed in the ‘Awqat’ and ladies hall and marble-inlay work on the walls of the prayer hall has been completed, AMAF said in a statement.

Exterior plastering on the facades of the mosque and wooden doors and cabinets in the kitchens of the Imam block have also been installed.

The contract for granite works at the entrance of the mosque has been awarded, while the installation of the crescents, ablution chairs and handrails has also been completed.

Dubai Water and Electricity Authority (DEWA) has also deployed transformers to the site, the statement said.

Tayeb Al-Rais, secretary general, Awqaf and Minors Affairs Foundation, said: “The mosque will be the largest of its kind in Dubai spread across 105,000 square feet with a built-up area of 45,000 square feet that can accommodate 3,500 worshippers.

“Through this mosque, we hope to inspire many more such eco-friendly initiatives.”

The project aims to achieve the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) silver certification for conformance to the sustainability requirements of the US Green Building Council (USGBC).

Mohammed Hassan, director – Investment, AMAF, said: “We have utilised latest green technologies available in the region’s first eco-mosque project.

“The installation of mixers that are in line with the specifications of green buildings will help reduce water consumption. Care has been taken to moderate the speed of water flow from taps in the ablution areas. Used water will be recycled and utilised in washrooms and for plant irrigation.

“The mosque integrates renewable energy solutions in its design. This is illustrated in the exterior lighting poles that are fitted with solar panels, battery storage system that is powered by solar energy, and the use of solar panels instead of energy draining electric heaters for the purpose of water heating.”

Other eco-friendly solutions include the use of energy-saving LED lights over regular bulbs, and a control system that automatically switches the lights on to correspond with prayer times or in the presence of an individual in the hall.

The mosque has also used thermal insulation in the building material for roofs and exterior walls to reduce heat transfer, and double-glazing windows with metal coating to minimise the intensity of solar radiation into the mosque.

A climate control system has also been installed for regulating the air-conditioning units according to prayer times and number of worshippers, the statement added.