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Bohra leader to open grand Dh 25 million mosque

Prominent Dawoodi Bohra Muslim community leader, Dr Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin, will arrive in the UAE today at the invitation of the Dubai government, to inaugurate the new mosque built at Al Ghusais on Friday.

According to sources in the Dawoodi Bohra community in the capital, the mosque's facade and interiors are an architectural marvel adopted from the rich Fatimi architectural traditions and style of famous mosques in the cities of North Africa, Egypt and Yemen. He will leave for Mumbai on February 2.

Dr Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin will inaugurate the new mosque and lead the Friday prayers, following the event.

He will celebrate the auspicious occasion of Eid Al Adha in Dubai. Nearly 10,000 Dawoodi Bohra Muslims live in the UAE at present, and a sizeable majority of them are expected to be present at the opening of the mosque.

Community sources noted that guests are expected from the Gulf and sub-continent for the event.

Dr Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin will address the community, receive visitors, and convey greetings to the President, Vice-President, and Rulers of the UAE on the occasion.

Government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, and members of the community will receive Dr Syedna.

The mosque - a unique landmark in Dubai, built at an estimated cost of Dh25 million - has two tall minarets at 95 feet height, drawn from Al Juyushi mosque in Cairo. It is located on the right side of the road, while driving from Al Mamzar to Al Nahda (near the Millennium School).

It incorporates a huge prayer area for men at ground level and three-sided galleries built at two levels, which are allocated for women. The complex has many facilities, including provision for classrooms and multi-purpose halls.

This new mosque is the third such community mosque in the UAE, and the fourth in the Gulf, with a similar one in Bahrain inaugurated recently.

The first such mosque in the UAE was inaugurated by Dr Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin in April 1983, and the second one at Sharjah in July 2003.