Ramadan 2025 updates: 55 new mosques, Friday sermons in English and a 3D-printed mosque
Dubai will also be constructing 55 new mosques as we approach Ramadan…
The UAE's first 3D-printed mosque is all set to open in Dubai in 2026, according to the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department in Dubai (IACAD). Expected to open doors in the second quarter of 2026, this will be a structure constructed completely out of 3D-printed elements.
Construction on the mosque has already begun, and the completed structure will have a floor area of 2,000 square metres, accommodating 600 worshippers. In the initial announcement in 2023, it was revealed that three workers will operate the robotic printer. The printer has the capacity to print two square meters of construction every hour with raw materials and a distinctive concrete mix.
As we approach Ramadan…
Dubai has also announced the expansion of the number of mosques in the city in the lead up to Ramadan, with the construction of 55 new mosques announced at a cost of Dh475 million. 54 new plots of land have already been allocated for future constructions of mosques.
The new mosques hold a combined total capacity of 40,961 worshippers. As part of expansion projects, 24 new mosques were built at a cost of 172 million dollars, with a total capacity of 13,911 worshippers. It has also been revealed that along with the construction of these 55 new mosques, more than 70 per cent of the mosques in the emirate will have Friday sermons translated into English.
These new mosques will be stunning works of art and architecture, incorporating modernity but also showcasing the history and heritage of Islamic architecture and and design.
'The sector is currently preparing the 'Mosque Guide,' aimed at achieving a 7-star rating for mosques based on sustainability standards. Future projects include enhancing the translation of Friday sermons into English to cover 70 per cent of mosques, promoting the inclusivity of the Islamic message,' IACAD announced. Previous announcements…
No updates have been provided on the first-of-it's-kind floating mosque. The mosque will be the first of its kind and will feature three floors and a submerged prayer hall, able to accommodate 50 to 75 worshippers. With the third floor being underwater, the other two floors above water will have a hall for Islamic lectures and workshops.
@iacaddubai
Images: Socials
> Sign up for FREE to get exclusive updates that you are interested in
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Campaign ME
2 hours ago
- Campaign ME
Advisory firm CAP.G Ventures launches in the UAE
CAP.G Ventures has opened shop in the UAE, offering services which aim to help small and medium enterprises achieve sustainable growth without the overhead and inefficiencies of traditional agency or executive models. With the introduction of its flagship consulting arm, CAP.G Consult, the firm aims to bring a forward-thinking approach to marketing leadership designed for speed, agility, and measurable impact with its Fractional CMO model to the region 'We're entering an era where agility trumps size, and clarity drives scale,' said Ghayath Sioufi, Founder & CEO of CAP.G Ventures. 'CAP.G was built to bridge the gap between bold ideas and real-world execution. We partner with visionary founders, CEOs, and boards to eliminate bottlenecks, accelerate go-to-market strategies, and build scalable brand engines – without the burden of a full-time CMO.' With more than 25 years of experience across agency and client-side leadership roles, Sioufi has long been at the intersection of marketing, commercial strategy, and digital innovation. His journey spans industries from telecom and FMCG to banking, aesthetics, and education – consistently leading transformative growth strategies and building high-performance teams. After two decades driving impact within large organisations, he recognised a growing need among startups and SMEs for access to seasoned marketing leadership without the overhead of a full-time CMO. Certified by institutions like London Business School, INSEAD, and The Knowledge Academy, Sioufi claims his influence extends beyond the boardroom. He has served on international judging panels, contributed to industry thought leadership, and played an active role within the International Advertising Association – UAE Chapter. Fluent in Arabic, English, and French, and based in the UAE for more than 20 years, Sioufi said he continues to blend strategic insight with human-centric leadership. Built with a clear eye on the future, CAP.G Ventures is positioned to expand from its UAE base into broader GCC markets, offering businesses a new, leaner path to strategic clarity and accelerated growth.
Fintech News ME
3 hours ago
- Fintech News ME
Switzerland's Leonteq Partners with Emirates Islamic on Shari'a-Compliant Structured Products
Leonteq, a Zurich-based fintech company, announced today the formation of a partnership with Emirates Islamic, a financial institution in the UAE, to manufacture and distribute Shari'a-compliant structured products. The collaboration builds on Leonteq's strategic move into the Gulf region. In 2022, the firm introduced a Shari'a-compliant trust certificate issuance programme through IBDAA Certificate Issuer (IBDAA), a dedicated Islamic issuance vehicle. Amanie Advisors, a recognised Shari'a advisory firm, has been engaged by Leonteq to provide guidance on the Shari'a aspects of the programme and subsequent initiatives involving IBDAA. Under this partnership, Emirates Islamic will co-develop certain trust certificates issued by IBDAA and offer these products through its distribution network. Leonteq will support the initiative by providing a full range of services, including issuance arrangements, Shari'a-compliant hedging, and lifecycle management. This collaboration marks a notable development in the Islamic structured product space, bringing together Leonteq's capabilities in investment solutions, structuring, and technology with Emirates Islamic's market presence, credit standing (rated A+ by Fitch), and reach in the UAE wealth management sector. Clients of Emirates Islamic will gain access to investment solutions that were previously limited in availability or scale. These products will be issued via IBDAA, which is among the first Islamic issuance entities able to offer a broad range of payoff structures across various asset classes, supported by automation and flexible investment thresholds. Christian Spieler, CEO of Leonteq, commented: 'We are proud to partner with Emirates Islamic, a top tier institution in the Middle East. This collaboration will allow clients of Emirates Islamic to benefit from Leonteq's longstanding expertise in white-labelling solutions and marks a milestone for Leonteq's growth ambitions in the Middle East.' Farid AlMulla, CEO of Emirates Islamic, said: 'We have always endeavoured to offer Islamic solutions that make a difference in the lives of our customers and beyond. This new partnership will enable our clients, in particular, to benefit from an even bigger product universe that further enhances their investment choices and access to global markets.' Emirates Islamic, a member of the Emirates NBD Group, was established in 2004. It offers a wide range of Shari'a-compliant retail, business, and corporate banking services through a network of 40 branches across the UAE.
Arabian Post
3 hours ago
- Arabian Post
Mashreq's $500 Million Sukuk Garners Global Attention
Mashreq Bank has secured a US$500 million Sukuk issuance through its special-purpose vehicle, Mashreq Al Islami Sukuk Company Ltd, with a secondary listing on Nasdaq Dubai. The trust certificates, set to mature in 2030, were unveiled under the bank's US$2.5 billion Trust Certificate Issuance Programme. The issuance drew overwhelming appetite in the primary market, with subscriptions reaching nearly US$2.9 billion—almost six times the issued amount—before being admitted for trading on Nasdaq Dubai. Market officials and state dignitaries marked the admission ceremony. Senior Mashreq officials including Group CEO Ahmed Abdelaal, Group Head of Corporate & Investment Banking Joel Van Dusen, and Group Head of Treasury & Global Markets Salman Hadi were present. The ceremonial bell was rung by Abdelaal, alongside Hamed Ali, CEO of Nasdaq Dubai and Dubai Financial Market, signifying a deepening partnership between the lender and the exchange. The demand for the paper was robust: pricing tightened to UST + 105 basis points, offering a fixed annual return of 5.03%. Participation included more than 90 investors across the Middle East, Europe and Asia, reflecting broad confidence in Mashreq's creditworthiness and reinforcing Dubai's rising role as a global hub for Islamic finance. ADVERTISEMENT Islamic finance is a growing pillar of Dubai's capital markets. Nasdaq Dubai is now home to over US$140 billion in listed debt, of which around US$97.2 billion comprises Sukuk across 163 issuances, bolstering the emirate's reputation in sharia-compliant instruments. This Sukuk marks Mashreq's return to international debt markets and sets a positive tone following heightened volatility triggered by US tariffs on the CEEMEA region in April 2025. According to Nasdaq Dubai CEO Hamed Ali, the success signifies 'Mashreq's growing ambitions in the Islamic finance sector' and affirms the exchange's role in connecting regional issuers with global investors. Mashreq Chairman Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair emphasised the issuance's significance: 'This Sukuk listing marks an important step in Mashreq's commitment to strengthening the global Islamic finance landscape … a clear demonstration of cross-border capital flows.' Ahmed Abdelaal added that the listing 'affirms our disciplined approach to funding, even in a complex macro environment'—a nod to the bank's focus on transparency and sustainable value. From a broader standpoint, the transaction shows Dubai's resilience amid global financial uncertainty. With the UST + 105 basis points spread reflecting investor trust, analysts note that the oversubscription by nearly six‑fold underscores continued market appetite for quality issuances. It strengthens investor confidence not just in Mashreq but across issuers in the CEEMEA region. Notably, this offering marks Nasdaq Dubai's first CEEMEA issuance since April's tariff shock—a turning point that restored market momentum. Regional issuers have since pursued multiple debt placements, signalling a revival of cross-border capital flows. The listing harmonises with Dubai's strategic goal to deepen Islamic capital markets and elevate its position as a capital-raising gateway for global investors. As Sukuk issuance gains traction amid tighter regulatory oversight and rising demand for ethical financing, Mashreq's listing not only advances its own capital diversification goals but also contributes to the maturation of Islamic fixed-income markets. With plans to issue further Islamic debt under its US$2.5 billion programme, the bank appears poised to leverage both primary and secondary market channels. Moving forward, stakeholders will watch for future issuances by Mashreq and other CEEMEA-based issuers to assess whether this marks a sustainable trend in Islamic finance, or a one-off surge. However, the combination of strong demand, disciplined pricing and enhanced market access marks a positive step for the sector.
