UAE Vice President inspects Aswaq shopping centre in Dubai

Dubai: His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has instructed the setting up of mosques and health clinics in shopping centres to allow shoppers perform prayers.

Shaikh Mohammad gave the instructions as he visited Aswaq shopping centre in Al Mizhar on Tuesday.

Aswaq, the Dh80 million shopping centre, is the first in a chain of shopping malls to be constructed within the next five years in different parts of Dubai to meet the future requirements of Dubai's residents.

Shaikh Mohammad was accompanied by Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince, and Shaikh Maktoum Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Deputy Ruler. Shaikh Mohammad toured the two-storey mall to acquaint himself with the shopping activity at the shopping mall.

He expressed his willingness to set up a chain of 22 shopping centres to facilitate shopping for youth and families, adding that families could hire outlets in the shopping malls to market their products through Dakakeen (shops) project.

Shaikh Mohammad instructed bodies concerned to conduct the required studies for implementing the order as soon as possible.

Shaikh Mohammad also inaugurated the Dh350 million Al Arabi Shopping Centre which has 175 shops and a clinic and a nursery.

Shaikh Mohammad praised the opening of these malls in various areas all over Dubai, to reduce the burden of residents who had to travel far to visit malls.

These malls help activate marketing and commercial activity and provide many job opportunities for youth, especially girls, who can work at these malls near their residential areas, Shaikh Mohammad said.