Dubai is set to unveil a stunning floating mosque, worth 55 million dirhams, next year which will have a prayer hall developed under water. This unique place of worship is currently under development at Dubai Water Canal, courtesy of the emirate's Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department. The project is part of a broader initiative to promote religious tourism and boost visitor numbers in Dubai. The mosque will be a three-storey structure, with a distinctive feature: its prayer hall will be submerged underwater. It is being designed to accommodate between 50 to 75 worshippers.

Ahmed Khalfan Al Mansouri, a cultural communication consultant at IACAD, highlighted that the floating mosque is just one of several projects aimed at drawing tourists to religious sites in Dubai. He emphasized that it will become a significant attraction in the emirate, welcoming visitors who can either pray or observe the unique underwater prayer hall. The mosque will comprise two floors above water, housing a hall for Islamic lectures and workshops. It will be open it to visitors next year, said Mansouri.

Notably, this floating mosque will be open to people of all faiths, with a request for visitors to dress modestly and respect Islamic customs. Women, in particular, will be encouraged to wear head coverings and modest attire. In a related development, the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department had previously announced plans to construct the world's first fully functional 3D-printed mosque. Construction for this 2,000-square-meter mosque in Bur Dubai is scheduled to commence in October, with completion expected in early 2025. It will accommodate up to 600 worshippers.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)