The UAE is known for being home to some beautiful mosques, serene places of worship that feature splendid architecture. Now, the Emirate of Sharjah has brought another addition to the list – a new mosque in the Al Tay region that can accommodate up to 25,000 people! The Sharjah Mosque replaces the King Faisal Mosque as the largest mosque in the emirate. Designed in the Ottoman style, the new mosque in Sharjah is an architectural beauty and definitely worth a visit. It’s also one of the mosques in Sharjah that welcomes non-Muslim visitors, too.
WHERE IS THE SHARJAH MOSQUE LOCATED?
Now one of the most famous mosques in Sharjah, this mosque is located in the Al Tay region, at the intersection of the Maliha Road (E102) and Emirates Road (E611). The Sharjah Mosque is also be located close to those buying villas in Al Suyoh.
Commissioned by the Ruler of Sharjah in 2014 and spread across 2M square feet, the Sharjah Mosque cost a whopping AED 300M to build! But this beautiful structure is now Sharjah’s largest mosque with a capacity to accommodate 25,000 people. The main prayer hall has a capacity of 5,000 people, while the front hall and side lobbies can accommodate a further 6,000 people. The outer yards of the new mosque in Sharjah has an additional capacity of 13,500 worshippers! It’s also the UAE’s second biggest mosque, second only to the famous Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi in terms of size.
The Sharjah Mosque is designed in the Ottoman style with the aesthetics of the mosque based on traditional Islamic architecture. The massive main prayer hall features a gorgeous domed ceiling that’s inscribed with intricate Arabic calligraphy and gold detailing. Meanwhile, a beautiful chandelier and mihrab (the semi-circular niche at the front of the hall that indicates the direction of prayer) give the Sharjah Mosque its grand look!
While not fully complete yet, the new Sharjah masjid (the Arabic term for mosque) will also have many more facilities than just a prayer hall. It will also house a large library that will boast Islamic and cultural books. A gift shop, museum and cafeteria are just some of the facilities that visitors can expect from this famous mosque in Sharjah.
The Sharjah Mosque also has 100 wheelchairs for elderly visitors, two ablution areas and a parking space that can accommodate 2,260 cars and buses!
Being one of the few mosques of Sharjah open to non-Muslim visitors, there will be dedicated spaces and walkways for them, too. Aside from these, open grounds, sparkling fountains and waterfalls will create the perfect serene environment for those who want to stroll around the mosque.
While the Sharjah Mosque does not have all its facilities open yet, its breath-taking architecture and interiors are sure to leave you impressed! We definitely recommend making a visit out here for some quiet reflection – and to take some great pictures.
WHEN DID THE SHARJAH MOSQUE OPEN?
The new Sharjah masjid opened in the first week of Ramadan, on 10 May 2019. The Sharjah Mosque opening was attended by His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al-Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, who performed the Isha and Tarawih prayers at the mosque.
Did you know? The Central Bank of the UAE issued two commemorative coins – one gold and one silver – to commemorate the opening of the Sharjah new mosque!
If you’re keen on learning more about these places of worship, take a look at some of the mosque tours in the UAE, which offer guided tours for non-Muslim visitors. And if you’re making the trip out to see the new masjid in Sharjah, check out the heritage sites in the emirate, too, for a dose of culture and history.
Photographs from:https://www.visitsharjah.com/en/activities/culture/sharjah-mosque/