Sharjah sees 5.2% increase in number of mosques

Sharjah: The number of mosques in Sharjah increased last year from 1,398 in 2016 to 1,471 in 2017 — a 5.2 per cent rise, according to the Sharjah Department of Statistics and Community Development (DSCD).

A press release by the DSCD yesterday said that the number of mosques in Sharjah City, including Al Hamriyah and Abu Mousa island, increased from 914 in 2016 to 958 in 2017. In Sharjah’s central region, the total number of mosques by the end of 2017 was 290.

According to DSCD, the eastern region recorded the biggest increase in mosque numbers last year, with an 10.9 per cent increase in the number of mosques, from 201 in 2016 to 223 in 2017. DSCD also reported that, according to the Directorate of Islamic Affairs in Sharjah, the number of mosques with a capacity of less than 500 worshippers was 1,185 in 2016, and grew to 1,249 by the end of 2017. Mosques with a capacity to accommodate 500 to 1,000 worshippers have increased by 3.8 per cent from 2016–17, up from 130 to 135 in one year.

The Department also said that the number of mosques that accommodate between 1,000 and 5,000 worshippers has gone up from 79 to 83 in 2017, while the number of mosques that can accommodate 5,000-plus worshippers remains at 4, of which 3 are in Sharjah City and one in the Central Region. The number of Eid Musallahs, the open spaces accessed by people during Eid, has remained constant at 32 since 2015. Of these, 7 are in Sharjah City, 13 in the Central Region and 12 in the Eastern Region.

Shaikh Mohammad Bin Abdullah Al Thani, Head of Statistics and Community Development in Sharjah, said: “Sharjah is working to realise its vision for sustainable development, which focuses on the community’s happiness and well-being. The availability of mosques in various regions and cities plays a vital role in meeting the needs of worshippers and facilitating religious practices.

“The number of mosques is growing annually, especially in the Emirate’s central region. This reflects our efforts to provide best possible public services to Sharjah residents. I would like to highlight the role of the private sector and individuals in building and sponsoring about 48 per cent of the Emirate’s mosques, which speaks volumes about their dedication to drive corporate social responsibility, and their keenness for charity and giving.”