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New mosque rules in Abu Dhabi

The Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC) on Tuesday unveiled new regulations to provide best standards and guidelines for the planning, designing and operation of mosques in the emirate.

The new Abu Dhabi Mosque Development Regulations (ADMDR), according to the council, acknowledge the central role that mosques play in their respective communities.

“Mosques are at the heart of the emirate’s culture and Islamic identity and the mosque regulations have been created to address the planning, design and operation of mosques across the emirate.

The key objectives of the regulations are to optimise the distribution of mosques and enhance their role within communities, encourage innovative design while preserving Emirati architectural heritage and to ensure that mosques are built, operated and maintained to the highest international standards,” said Falah Al Ahbabi, UPC General Manager and Chairman of the Mosque Development Committee (MDC).

The new regulations, the council added, will ensure that mosques of the right type and size are distributed efficiently throughout communities — with ease of access for all citizens — and that they are of the highest quality in terms of their structure, landscaping and their future operation and maintenance.

Al Ahbabi further added, the regulations have been developed as an essential tool kit for a range of stakeholders involved in the development of mosques, including donors, designers, contractors, architects, engineers, Estidama PRS Professionals, municipalities and consultants. Furthermore, the new regulations require the use of an Integrated Development Process (IDP) to ensure that all stakeholders work together effectively.

“The regulations encourage the preservation of local heritage by promoting both traditional and contemporary interpretations of Emirati mosque designs as well as the use of local materials, colour palettes and patterns in a modern way. Architects and engineers are also encouraged to use sustainable approaches that have been tried and tested for generations, such as natural ventilation and lighting,” he added.

nissar@khaleejtimes.com