UAE | General
Mosques go high-tech
Mosques in Abu Dhabi emirate will go high-tech with the introduction of an electronic network system, the National Consultative Council (NCC) was informed.
- By Nissar Hoath, Staff Reporter
- Published: 00:00 May 15, 2007
- Image Credit:
- Abu Dhabi to introduce electronic network system.
Abu Dhabi: Mosques in Abu Dhabi emirate will go high-tech with the introduction of an electronic network system, the National Consultative Council (NCC) was informed yesterday.
The implementation of the network system, which include electronic screens displaying prayer and prayer call (Azan) timings, titles of Friday sermons and Islamic lectures held at various places in the emirate, is currently under way, a NCC committee said in a report.
The report was prepared in consultation with the General Authority of Islamic and Awqaf Affairs.
The authority will also introduce MP3 devices for recording Friday sermons and lectures, as well as store them in electronic archives which will be available on the internet.
A hotline will be available to report poor maintenance and any other malfunction in mosques across the emirate. It will also allow public to register their suggestions and lodge complaints.
To help fully implement the new electronic network system, special training sessions will be held for the employees of the authority and mosques, including prayer leaders (imams) and prayer callers (muezzins), the council was informed.
The report was reviewed during a debate on the poor conditions and maintenance of mosques.
Members participating in the debate voiced concern about the condition of many mosques saying that situation came about due to lack of attention from authorities concerned.
Member Hadhir Al Muhairi said: "Maintenance and cleaning in mosques, particularly those temporary wooden mosques, is a big problem that has to be addressed on a priority basis."
Gaith Hamel Al Gaith, another member, regretted that almost no UAE nationals are employed to manage mosque affairs.
He said: "The UAE national is missing in the administration of mosques and other religious institutes. There are no national imams, muezzins and religious scholars. We need to set up an institute to train UAE nationals lead prayers in our mosques. We need to train them as muezzins and lecturers."
The house yesterday concluded its debate by calling for the establishment of a local Islamic affairs council for fatwa guidelines, mosques' management, assisting local awqaf department and training programmes.
The council further recommended the local government to provide land and licences to UAE nationals for their encouragement of building endowment buildings for charity.
The house called for the replacement of all wooden and temporary mosques with new and permanent buildings.
Budget is Dh12m
- There are 2,757 mosques in Abu Dhabi.
- The authority manages 1,870 of them, 887 are privately managed and 753 are wooden and temporary structures.
- The budget for these mosques, including salaries, maintenance and affiliated education programmes is Dh12 million.
Have your say
How do you feel about a high-tech mosque? Do you think it will improve service in this place of worship? What more improvements would you like to see?
Your comments
1. Idea seems good. But the negative impact has to be studied properly before implementation.
2. Proper cleaning of the toilets is very important. On several occasions I have come across badly maintained toilets which have no cleaning personnel.
3. Sound system of old masjids need to be replaced.
Syed
Sharjah,UAE
"Great Country and a Great Initiative" in one line and I look forward to it.
Saheem
Sharjah,UAE
Introduction of an electronic network system is a good initiative by General Authority of Islamic and Awqaf Affairs. I hope this will be very helpful to non-Arabic speaking Muslims. Similar system should also be introduced in other emirates.
Rasheed
Abu Dhabi,UAE
There is a remote chance that people will prefer to stay at home and listen to lectures rather than attending the mosque physically.
Dr. Raoof
Srinagar,India
Masha Allah, its always great whatever steps are taken to improve conditions of the mosques. Whoever put their effort will reap the reward in Akhirah. If the Awqaf can improve other emirates? mosques, then it would be great. And also locals (UAE nationals) living near by the mosques can be given more responsibilities.
Shimark
Fujairah,UAE
Many of these facilities would have been provided in the mosques in the city but the mosques along the highways and rural areas are neglected in the UAE.
Mohamed
Chennai,India
Mashallah, good work UAE ! We hope this facility is extended to Dubai, Sharjah as well.
Altaf
Dubai,UAE
Being an American Muslim living here in Dubai, I would like to get more information about lectures and khutbahs that are given in English. I currently travel to Sharjah for Jummah, but would like to find a location in Dubai.
Rashid
Dubai,UAE
Provide translation facility in the major mosques, specially for Friday prayers, so that the speech is translated to different languages for non-Arabic speaking Muslims in the mosque.
Rashed
Dubai,UAE
Latest news
- Readers issues addressed: Unacceptable delays
- Safety regulations flouted at Dubai work place
- Abu Dhabi facilities for special needs people
- Absconding maid dies in Sharjah road accident
- Cashier forges receipt to collect visa deposit
- Parents of special children need support: expert
- Shoppers lack environmental awareness: survey
- Book sales reflect children's love of reading
- FNC to hold question and answer session
- Pakistan arrests gang for forging UAE visas
- Sharjah launches recycling campaign
- Police launch campaign to drive down car crime
- Pregnant woman, partner on trial
- UAE fishermen say leaked diesel taints catch
- Police convince couple to take disabled baby
Community Reports
-
Safety regulations flouted at Dubai work place
In Al Nahda 2, two workers were seen working on the crane boom at a height of 20m without a full body harness or safety net in violation of rules
-
Closing U-turns creates new risks
Authorities urged to reopen closed U-turns or construct new ones on Shaikh Khalid Al Qasimi Road in Sharjah
-
Enforce the speed limit
Some motorists who drive on Al Albaany Road to avoid the toll put pedestrians at risk
-
Campaign needs help to curb cat population
Al Barsha Veterinary Clinic calls for public's assistance as exercise begins to spay and neuter strays in effort to control numbers and prevent diseases
