History & Heritage
4.16.2021
Ramadan 2021: Discover one of the oldest mosques in the United Arab Emirates
A mosque older than the country in which it is located? It is possible! Located in Deira, in the United Arab Emirates, this historical monument known as the Omar Ali bin Haider Mosque has been welcoming worshippers since… 1952!
Emblematic, the Omar Ali bin Haider Mosque is very expensive for the people living in Dubai. And it is not for nothing! Built in 1952, the mosque was already welcoming its worshippers even when the seven emirates were still known as the Trucial States. “This is the most popular mosque in the neighborhood” says Waqas Ali, a waiter who works in the area and its popularity transcends religions.
The facility is one of the oldest in the country. It is especially known for its striking architecture, blue-tiled minaret and imposing dome. Inside, Quranic verses are inscribed on the walls, and a huge chandelier hangs in the middle.
“The mosque is set against the backdrop of the glamorous Al Ghurair residence, which perfectly reflects how Dubai has become one of the world’s most beautiful modern cities, but also respects and preserves its Islamic culture” reports Shilpa Parmar, who has lived next door for over 20 years
The mosque was built by the late Omar Ali bin Haider, an Emirati businessman known for his philanthropic work in downtown Dubai in the 1950s and 1960s. It is now a peaceful place of worship in old Dubai, where the incessant noise of the city outside seems far away.
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