Awqaf and Minors Affairs Foundation Thanks Partners for Green Mosque Project

Tanweer Solar Energy Technology and GROHE Recognized for Contributions to Region’s First Eco-Friendly Mosque

Dubai-UAE:27August, 2014-The Awqaf and Minors Affairs Foundation (AMAF)today thanked Tanweer Solar Energy Technology and GROHE for their valuable contributions to the construction of Khalifa Al Tajer Mosque, the first-ever eco-friendly place of worship in the Muslim world.

A homegrown company, Tanweer Solar Energy Technology is the first enterprise in the UAE to introduce solar solutions that reduce the consumption of energy via New Solar Energy Technologies and the NEW LED Technology, while GROHE is globally renowned as the leading provider of sanitary productsand a pioneer of water conservation projects.

His Excellency Tayeb Al Rais, Secretary General of AMAF in Dubai, said: “AMAF seeks to play a keyrole in serving society ateverylevel, including overseeing the protection ofthe environment and enabling society to endorse a sustainable way of life in accordance with Islamic principles. We are appreciative of the vital role of our partners from the public and private sector who consistently support us in achieving this mandate.Ourcooperationwith Tanweer and GROHEhas helped achieve the timely completion of this landmark project, a first-of-its-kind for the country and the widerregion.”

Khaldoun Shammout, General Manager of Tanweer Solar Energy Technology Company for Solar Energy innovations, said: “We are happy to have collaboratedwith AMAF in this unique project that will have a far-reaching impact on sustainability and the environment. We utilized our expertise in providing renewable energy solutions, and look forward to cooperatingfurther with AMAF inservingthe UAE community at large.”

Firas Ibrahim, GROHE’s General Manager in the UAE, Oman and Iran, said: “As part of GROHE’s continued commitment to giving back to the community and to promote the significance of water conservation, we are delighted to have partnered with AWQAF and the Minor Affairs Foundation to create the Islamic world’s first eco-friendly mosque. Together we hope to raise awareness of water conservation in the UAE whilst implementing practical solutions as part of GROHE’s global water conservation initiative ‘WaterCare’. Through our collaboration, we hope to play our part in reducing the water footprint of the UAE. Our self-closing mixers have been instrumental in our regional water conservation projects and the 50 Eurosmart CT self-closing mixers that we have donated will be instrumental is reducing excess water consumption in the mosque.”

Inaugurated during the holy month of Ramadan,Khalifa Al Tajer Mosquemeets the US Green Building Council’s (USGBC) green standards and specifications. Through the integration of renewable energy solutions and eco-friendly technologiesto harness solar power for outdoor lighting and water heating purposes, the facility has set new standards inwater and energy conversation.

Among other green solutions used in the design of the mosque are the techniques of thermal insulation in thebuilding material for roofs and exterior walls to reduce heat transfer, as well asdouble-glazing windows with metal coating tominimizethe intensity ofsolarradiation intothe mosque. Technologically advanced equipment has alsobeen installed for improving theindoor air quality, while smart control systems ensure optimum performance of the air conditioners.