All mosques to be built in Dubai starting next year will be environment-friendly and would cut water and electricity consumption by up to 25 per cent, a report said.
Dubai's Awqaf and Minors Affairs Foundation (AMAF) secretary-general Tayeb Al Rais said the first of these eco-mosques is expected to open by the first quarter of next year, with some 60 per cent of the work already finished.
"We do want to make all mosques built in the emirate in the future power- and water-saving, and help reduce harmful gas emissions from the air-conditioners. The new eco-mosques would reduce water consumption by 20 per cent and electricity by 25 per cent. All construction work at the mosque, named 'Khalifa, the Merchant', is being done according to the set schedule," Al Rais was quoted by Khaleej Times as saying.
Al Rais said the USD 5.9 million (22 million dirham) mosque's 25-metre-long minaret is now complete and work is continuing on external decoration and the internal finish. The eco-mosque will be spread over an area of 105,000 square feet.
"Solar panels shall be used in heating ablution water, as well as imam accommodation and other utilities," Al Rais said.
The mosque will be equipped with technology to recycle and purify water.
"Eco materials have been used in the construction of the mosque to be in line with the renewable power resources and heat insulation system," Al Rais added.
The mosque will also use advanced technology to curb use of harmful gases in air-conditioning.
"This strategy is aimed to enhance the performance of these buildings, curb power and water consumption, and boost public health," Al Rais said.
