Watch: New mosque opens in Dubai Marina to serve up to 1,647 worshippers
The design of the late Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Mosque was inspired by Ottoman art, according to a statement from Dubai's Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department.
Equipped with modern facilities to ensure the comfort of worshippers, the new mosque spans 5,021.31 square metres.
It features a courtyard, ablution areas, parking spaces and prayer halls designed according the highest standards.
Dubbed by the department as "a model for contemporary mosques that cater to the diverse needs of the community", the mosque also features designated areas for people of determination.
It can accommodate up to 1,647 worshippers including 1,397 men and 250 women.
Take a look at the facility's architecture and interior design:
@IACADDUBAI pic.twitter.com/J03PftGq15
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) March 1, 2025
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
"This inauguration marks a significant step in Dubai's urban development journey, reflecting a strong commitment to enhancing religious infrastructure in line with the city's growing population and ensuring high-quality services for worshippers and visitors alike," the department said in the statement.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Gulf Today
3 days ago
- Gulf Today
VIDEO: Holy Kaaba washed with Zamzam and rose water in sacred ceremony
Gulf Today Report The ceremony of washing the Holy Kaaba unfolds in three main, meticulously executed stages, each characterised by extreme care and precision. The process begins with the preparation phase, utilising a special blend of 20 liters of Zamzam water, 80 ml of specialised oud oil, and 540 ml of Taif rose water. Following preparation, the washing stage involves the application of 11 liters of dedicated perfume for washing the Holy Kaaba, along with 3 ml of musk. Finally, the ceremony concludes with the perfuming and fumigation stage, employing 500 ml of Taif rose oil and 500 grams of fine oud incence. MAKKAH DEPUTY GOVERNOR WASHES HOLY KAABA ON BEHLAF OF KING SALMAN On behalf of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Governor of Makkah Region Prince Saud Bin Mishaal Bin Abdulaziz was honoured with the task of washing the Holy Kaaba. Upon his arrival, the deputy governor performed the ritual washing of the interior of the Holy Kaaba using Zamzam water mixed with rose water. This was carried out by rubbing the interior walls with pieces of cloth pre-soaked in the specially prepared mixture, provided by the General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque. Several officials, members of the Islamic diplomatic corps accredited to the Kingdom, and the custodians of the Kaaba joined the deputy governor in washing the Holy Kaaba. The General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque affirmed that the Holy Kaaba's washing is conducted with the utmost care and precision, a reflection of the Kaaba's elevated status and in keeping with its sanctity and deeply rooted place in the hearts of Muslims worldwide. The washing process, known as 'Ghusl,' always follows the replacement of the Kiswa which took place on the first day of the Islamic New Year. The authority also emphasised that all materials used are carefully prepared in advance to ensure the highest levels of purity and sanctity, following the latest and most advanced standards and service systems for this globally significant event.


Khaleej Times
06-07-2025
- Khaleej Times
WhatsApp divorce: What UAE law says about ending marriage over chat
Question: I am a working lady from an Asian country. I am living alone here, and my husband is in his home country. Due to personal differences, he sent me a divorce in a voice note on WhatsApp. Please let me know what the UAE law says about divorce on WhatsApp. Answer: It is assumed that you and your husband are Muslims, and earlier your husband was a resident of the UAE. Furthermore, it is assumed that you intend to accept the divorce pronounced by your husband. In the UAE, a divorce is defined as the dissolution of the marriage contract by the will of a husband through words indicating such separation. This is in accordance with Article 53 of the UAE Personal Status Law, which states, 'Divorce is the dissolution of the marriage contract by the will of the husband through the word indicating it. There are two types of these words: 1. Explicitly, which is the word of divorce or a derivative thereof. Metaphorically, which is a word that may mean divorce or something else if the husband intends to divorce by it.' A divorce is recognised in the UAE if a husband pronounces it to his wife either by speech or writing. This is in accordance with Article 54(1) of the UAE Personal Status Law, which states, 'Divorce is pronounced by the husband by speech or writing by any means, and if he is unable to do either, then by a comprehensible signal.' However, a husband is required to document the divorce in the competent court within 15 days of the pronouncement of divorce. This is in accordance with the Article 58 (1) of the UAE Personal Status Law, 'The husband shall document the divorce before the competent court within a maximum period of (15) fifteen days from the date of its occurrence, and this does not prejudice the wife's right to file a case to prove the divorce.' An individual may file a civil or personal case against his or her spouse, even though the spouse does not have residency in the UAE. This is in accordance with Article 4(2) of the UAE Personal Status Law and Article 20(4) of the UAE Civil Procedure Code, which reads as follows: Article 4(2) of the UAE Personal Status Law - Competence of Courts in Cases Filed Against a Foreigner Who Has No Domicile in the State 'If the case is related to a request to revoke or annul a marriage contract, or to divorce or repudiation, and the case is filed by a state citizen wife or a wife who has lost the citizenship of the state, provided that she has a domicile or place of residence in the state, or if it is filed by a wife who has a domicile or place of residence in the state against her husband who had a domicile, place of residence or place of work in the state, provided that the husband has abandoned his wife and made his domicile or place of residence or place of work abroad, has been deported from the state or if his domicile abroad is unknown.' Article 20 (4) of the UAE Civil Procedure Code 'The courts shall have jurisdiction over a foreigner who has no place of residence or domicile in the State in the following case: - If the legal proceeding is instituted by a wife who has a place of residence in the state against her husband who had a place of residence therein'. Additionally, a notarised foreign document may be enforced in the UAE. This is in accordance with Article 224 under Chapter 4 of Execution of Foreign Judgments, Orders and Instruments of the UAE Civil Procedure Code, which states, '1. An order may be made for the enforcement in the State of notarised documents and Memoranda of Composition certified by the Courts of a foreign country on the same conditions laid down in the laws of that country for the enforcement of similar instruments issued in the State. 2. An application for an enforcement order in Clause (1) of this Article shall be requested by means of a petition submitted to the Execution Judge with the same procedures and conditions stipulated in Clause (2) of Article [222] of this Code. No order for enforcement may be made until after it has been ascertained that the conditions for the enforceability of the document or memorandum have been satisfied in accordance with the law of the country in which it was notarised or certified and that it contains nothing contrary to morals or public order in the state.' Based on the above, a divorce pronounced by your husband via voice notes over WhatsApp outside the UAE may be valid if it fulfils the tests laid down in the provisions of UAE law mentioned hereinabove. If you have a consensus on the divorce pronounced by your husband, who is outside the UAE, you may request him to obtain a notarised document confirming the contents of the voice notes over WhatsApp sent to you, if the same is a valid procedure in his home country. Thereafter, once the said document is attested by the UAE embassy in the home country of your husband, it should be attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the UAE. On completion of this procedure, you need to legally translate the divorce confirmation document mentioned above and attest it from the Ministry of Justice in the UAE. For further clarification on this matter, you may seek legal advice from a legal counsel practising in the UAE, or you may approach a Personal Status Court in the UAE to seek more clarification on this matter.


Gulf Today
28-06-2025
- Gulf Today
Sharjah Social Empowerment Foundation's efforts praised
The Sharjah Social Empowerment Foundation held its annual meeting in the presence of Sheikha Jameela Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairperson of Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services (SCHS), where she reviewed the key statistics and outcomes of programmes and projects achieved during 2024. These efforts contributed to supporting 2,769 orphans and 1,186 families across Sharjah and its affiliated regions, in addition to empowering 170 newly enrolled orphans, bringing the total number of empowered children by year-end to 2,035. Al Qasimi expressed her appreciation for the efforts exerted by the Sharjah Social Empowerment Foundation, underscoring the importance of sustaining humanitarian work that enhances the quality of life for orphans. She said, 'What the Foundation delivers reflects a deep humanitarian commitment. These achievements are not just numbers; they are success stories that inspire us to continue giving. Empowerment is not limited to financial support—it includes capacity building and boosting self-confidence, which the Foundation has successfully achieved through its comprehensive programmes.' For her part, Mona Bin Hadda Al Suwaidi, Director-General of the Foundation, expressed her gratitude for the presence of Sheikha Jameela at the meeting, affirming that the achievements reflect the Foundation's vision to empower children and their families, drawing inspiration from the guidance and support of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. She added, 'The year 2024 marked a pivotal milestone in which the Foundation accomplished qualitative achievements across various empowerment domains, with international participation in prestigious events such as the United Nations' Summit of the Future and other scientific and educational conferences. We were also honoured with the Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd Award for Best Charity Performance in the Arab World.' Al Suwaidi confirmed that these accomplishments are the result of an effective strategy and the continuous support of the wise leadership and generous partners from individuals and institutions. The Foundation reaffirmed its full commitment to global quality standards and its continued implementation of certified quality management systems. This comes within the scope of maintaining its ISO9001:2015 Quality Management System certification, ensuring the best practices in delivering services to beneficiaries. In 2024, the total expenditures provided to families amounted to approximately Dhs27 million. A total of 1,169 families and 2,744 children benefited from zakat funds and Ramadan provisions during the holy month. The 'Iftar Project' supported 248 families and 772 children through contributions from hotels, restaurants, and community members, who helped provide meal vouchers for orphan families. Ramadan gifts were given to nine newly enrolled families and 20 children, while the 'Eid Sweets' project during Eid Al Adha reached 199 families and 515 children. Additionally, 327 children were gifted 'Eidiya' under the Eid gift project to complete their festive experience. The Foundation also supported orphans and their families through sponsorship projects, including the sponsorship of 331 orphans via the 'Sponsor an Orphan' project and 226 families via the 'Sponsor a Family' initiative. Moreover, urgent financial support to relieve hardships exceeded Dhs2 million through the 'Jabr' (Relief) project. The education of students enrolled in the Foundation was supported through 585 education sponsorships, bringing the total number of sponsored students to 1,913 by the end of 2024. Also, 277 wishes were fulfilled through the 'Sidrat Al-Amani' (Tree of Wishes) project, raising the total number of fulfilled wishes since the project's launch to 3,666. A total of 1,058 students benefited from tuition fee payments and 99 students received educational devices. The Foundation awarded eight university scholarships and honoured 34 outstanding students, in addition to organising 10 Umrah trips. Educational support lessons benefited 156 students, while nine students with learning difficulties were also supported. Moreover, 165 students attended specialised skills-development courses, and 18 students were enrolled in IELTS exams. WAM