Dubai: Mosques, Eid prayer grounds to get upgrades under new agreement
The Dubai Municipality and the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department in Dubai (IACAD) signed the agreement in order to:
Overhaul the infrastructure of religious facilities
Preserve heritage mosques
Enhance the design of Eid prayer grounds
Improve the management of funeral and cemetery services
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Heritage mosques
Under the agreement, a unified vision for the design and construction of mosques will be established. The authorities aim to also preserve cultural, religious, and architectural heritage. Dubai Municipality will restore and maintain heritage mosques and IACAD will manage their operations, including providing imams, muezzins, preachers, religious programmes, and daily cleaning services.
Dubai Municipality will review and simplify relevant procedures, expedite permit approvals, and incorporate IACAD's approved engineering, planning, and construction standards into the Dubai Building Code.
Temporary prayer facilities will be established for on-site workers, and donors will be encouraged to support mosque construction using advanced 3D printing technology.
Funeral and cemetery services
Dubai Municipality will also develop and upgrade mortuary washing facilities. IACAD will oversee all Shariah-related aspects, including appointing staff for washing, shrouding, and burial, training personnel, licensing mortuary washers, issuing permits for volunteers, and ensuring full compliance with religious procedures.
Marwan Ahmad Bin Ghalita, Director General of Dubai Municipality, said that the partnership strengthens the entities' efforts to provide high-quality services and enhance quality of life while "preserving the authentic character of historic mosques and prayer sites."
Ahmed Darwish Al Muhairi, Director General of IACAD, said, "Our goal is to create spaces that embody Islamic values, preserve heritage, and serve all segments of society.'
Eid prayer grounds
The agreement also includes improvements to Eid prayer grounds. Dubai Municipality will undertake beautification works, issue permits and develop the grounds according to an upgraded model that includes facilities for commercial outlets and required construction features. IACAD will operate the grounds, provide administrative support, and monitor operations.
This agreement is set to deliver high-quality, sustainable religious facilities and support social activities that uphold Islamic values.
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