Sharjah opens 30 mosques for Ramadan worshippers

As many as 30 new mosques were opened in Sharjah ahead of and on the day one of Ramadan by the Department of Islamic Affairs. The mosques - designed in various architectural styles - have come up in different regions of the emirate.
The mosques have been constructed as part of the department's plan to receive and facilitate worshippers during the holy month and Eid. The new mosques have been opened considering that the number of mosque-goers would increase during the holy period.
In the past years, it was observed that many worshippers, some who came from far-flung areas, had to pray in the yard of the mosques and sometimes outside in parking areas due to the rush inside. The number of worshippers went up usually during Taraweeh and Tahjud prayers performed in the last 10 days of the holy month.
"All the new mosques are equipped with new carpets, ACs and parking spaces, as per the plans," said Al Khayal of Department of Islamic Affairs in Sharjah.
He pointed out that as part of its Ramadan activities, the Sharjah Islamic Affairs Department has appointed 81 Qari (Quran readers to lead the prayers) in various parts of the emirate. It will also organise a number of religious lectures in Arabic, English and Urdu related to Ramadan and other social issues and distribute religious publications in different Asian languages. Most of the mosques in Sharjah host free Iftar provided by philanthropists, charity organisations or private institutions for workers, bachelors and poor families, Al Khayal underlined.
He added that the department has also launched religious programmes for children in the form of dialogues to educate them about tolerance, peace, solidarity and other values of Islam. The programmes also teach kids how to perform proper Wadu (washing) and prayer and begin the first Ramadan fasting.
Al Khayal said that the department has allocated the hotline number 8001441 for fatwas related to the holy month of Ramadan and the number 80017 for enquiries about prayer timing, nearest mosques, complaints and suggestions.
afkarali@khaleejtimes.com