From The National (United Arab Emirates) 
DUBAI // The Muslim faithful filled the grand and expansive Khalifa Al Tajer Mosque to its capacity at its official opening for Friday prayers .
Located in Deira, the first environmentally friendly mosque in the Islamic world is Dubai’s largest, and Sheikh Salih Al Maghamsi, the imam of the famous Quba Mosque in Medina, Saudi Arabia, inaugurated the mosque by delivering the Friday sermon.
The Dh22 million building is able to accommodate 3,500 worshippers, and many of them on Friday were unaware of its significance.
“This is a very nice mosque. I didn’t realise it was environmentally friendly, as it doesn’t look like they are skimping on anything,” said Khalid Ali Al Haj, a 35-year-old supervisor at Deira City Centre bus terminal. He came to the mosque because he was rushing to find one near his workplace to pray.
“All the mosques should be green. God hates wasteful people, so these green solutions are very appropriate, and this is the best place for people to learn about environmental conservation.
“I think I will have all my prayers at this mosque when I’m at work, it is only a few steps from the terminal.”
Ahmad Al Sharif, a 34-year-old Egyptian legal consultant, said the new mosque was very nice, comfortable and beautiful. “I didn’t find anything different or lacking about it from any other mosque,” he said. “I came here today because this is now the closest mosque to my home. I used to go to the mosque across the street, but it gets too crowded at Friday prayers.”
The Khalifa Al Tajer Mosque has sensors for the air-conditioning and lighting, and solar-powered water heaters and exterior lights. The ablution stations are also designed to save water.
“This mosque has been designed to save 20 to 25 per cent on energy and water resources,” said Tayeb Abdul Rahman Al Rais, the secretary general of Awqaf and Minors’ Affairs Foundation, a Dubai government body.
“We have built this mosque in support of the goal and strategies of Dubai emirate to promote sustainable designs and support environmental solutions to preserve this land for many generations to come. We have materials that resist wear and tear and will last a long time.”
