Abu Dhabi: One of the biggest mosques in Asia has been built in the Kazakh city of Shymkent, the Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation (KZHF) announced.
The Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Mosque, which can accommodate 6,000 worshippers, was inaugurated by Dr Hadef Bin Jua’an Al Daheri, minister of justice, as a cluster of projects funded by the Foundation.
The mosque is built on a total area of 8,000 square metres. It includes a separate prayer area for women and a parking area for nearly 120 vehicles, the Foundation reported.
“Estimated at Dh45 million, the mosque’s construction was completed in a period of three years,” Al Daheri said.
“The mosque serves worshippers in the city of Shymkent and its design is based on the Islamic architectural style. It aims to provide a suitable place for worship and serves as a centre for cultural enlightenment for Muslims in Kazakhstan as well as a large public library which includes copies of the Quran and several cultural and Islamic books,” he added.
Additionally, about Dh15 million has been donated by KZHF to complete the construction of two clinics and a nursery in Shymkent.
“According to KZHF goals and strategies, we are always committed to provide the best health services to needy countries around the world in order to alleviate some of the human suffering experienced,” Mohammad Haji Al Khoury, director-general of KZHF, told Gulf News.
“The clinics will include around 120 beds as well as the latest advanced medical tools to provide health care to poor families with costs which they can ill afford,” Al Khoury added.
The Foundation has also pledged to send 40 tonnes of dates to Kazakhstan each year as part of its development initiative. “Also, around Dh200 million has been set aside to develop the infrastructural development schemes in Kazakhstan by the Foundation,” Al Khoury added.
