Smart and green for worshippers
Mosques stand tall against all the skyscrapers the UAE is home to. These ornate places of worship are a spiritual escape for the Muslims and architectural marvels for tourists. In a 7-part series, Khaleej Times picks 7 of the best mosques from the 7 emira
As the entire country is thinking, working and going smart in every nook and corner, Ras Al Khaimah has its first smart and green mosque.
The Al Sibtain mosque, reopened recently, is actually a renovated old mosque in the Muairidh area, according to legal Adviser Dr Hisham Al Refaei Al Mansuri, supervisor of the project.
“The speakers of the mosque turn on automatically at the moment the Imam stands on the carpet for leading prayer, and later turn off after the end of the prayer.”
The lights of the 40-year-old mosque, which can accommodate up to 300 worshippers, are solarpowered. They automatically turn on and off according to the time of prayer and number of worshipers, and changes brightness as per the day and night natural light.
“Likewise, the air conditioners turn on and off and change the temperature as per the weather condition in summer and winter and along the entire day and night whenever there are worshippers.”
The smart mosque, renovated in collaboration with 25 charity associations and a philanthropist, saves water and power worth Dh10,650 every year, Dr Mansuri disclosed.
“The project, mainly supported by the Dar Al Ber Society and the Sharjah Charity Association, has been carried out in coordination with the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments.”
The total costs of the renovation of the mosque, which is running entirely on clean energy, stood at around Dh270,000, he stated. “The mosque is friendly to the environment with zero carbon emissions.”
The temperature of the external water tanks is also controlled by solar power as per the summer and winter temperatures. “The Wudua or ablution facilities are also controlled by smart sensors to avoid wastage of water.”
The used water is even recycled while the rain water is collected and used in ablution after being automatically purified. It is also used for irrigation purposes.
300 Worshippers can pray at the mosque at one time
10,650
Dirhams is saved every year through smart use of power and water