AMAF Opens Doors to First Eco-friendly Mosque in Islamic World

• Project Conforms to US Green Building Council Standards and Specifications
• Khalifa Al Tajer Mosque Accommodates 3,500 Worshippers to become Dubai’s Largest Mosque

Dubai-UAE: 18 July, 2014 - The Awqaf and Minors Affairs Foundation (AMAF) today opened the Islamic world’s first eco-friendly mosque - Khalifa Al Tajer - to worshippers. Located at the Post Saeed area in Dubai, the 105,000 square feet mosque has a built-up area of 45,000 square feet and the capacity to accommodate 3,500 worshippers.

His Excellency Tayeb Al Rais, Secretary General of Awqaf and Minors Affairs Foundation, led the opening ceremony in the presence of Dr Hamad Al Shebani, Director-General of the Department of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities and senior representatives from AMAF and other government organizations. Marking the significant occasion, Shaykh Salih Al Maghamsi, Imaam of Masjid Al-Quba in Al Madeenah, Saudi Arabia, delivered the inaugural Friday sermon at the mosque.

His Excellency Tayeb Al-Rais, Secretary General, Awqaf and Minors Affairs Foundation, said: "We are delighted to welcome worshippers to the Islamic world’s first green mosque during the Holy Month of Ramadan. Through this mosque, we hope to inspire many more such eco-friendly initiatives that are in line with Dubai's vision for a sustainable future.

“Environmental consciousness is a key pillar of Islam and is mentioned time and again in the Holy Quran. We hope the mosque will continue to remind worshippers of their duties towards the environment, of which we are the custodians.”

Integrated with the standards and specifications mandated for green buildings, the mosque aims to achieve the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification for conformance to the sustainability requirements of the US Green Building Council (USGBC).

The region’s first eco-mosque project integrates latest green technologies, including the installation of mixers to help reduce water consumption. Care has also been taken to moderate the speed of water flow from taps in the ablution areas. The used water is recycled and utilized in washrooms and for plant irrigation.

Renewable energy solutions have also been incorporated into the design of the mosque. This is illustrated in the exterior lighting poles that are fitted with solar panels, battery storage system that is powered by solar energy, and the use of solar panels instead of energy draining electric heaters for the purpose of water heating.

The use of energy-saving LED lights over regular bulbs, and a control system that automatically switches the lights on to correspond with prayer times or in the presence of an individual in the hall are some of the other eco-friendly solutions integrated into the design of the mosque. In addition to daylight sensors in the extension of the mosque, a climate control system has also been installed for regulating the air-conditioning units according to prayer times and number of worshippers.

Among other solutions used are the techniques of thermal insulation in the building material for roofs and exterior walls to reduce heat transfer, and double-glazing windows with metal coating to minimize the intensity of solar radiation into the mosque. Technologically advanced equipment has also been installed for improving indoor air quality and the performance of the air-conditioning system.