AJMAN // An insufficient number of mosques has forced some worshippers in Ajman to pray outside in the extreme midday heat in some neighbourhoods, especially on Fridays and during Ramadan and Eid.
They say they have to scramble for a place in mosques that are filled to capacity. Those who do not arrive early enough, particularly for dhuhr prayers, have to pray outside where shade is scarce.
Salim Ahmed attends his local mosque five times a day but struggles to find room.
“All six mosques are the same distance from my building but the two where we have Friday prayers are not big enough for all of the worshippers. I am sometimes forced outside,” said the 25-year-old Jordanian who lives in Al Suwan.
“Despite two new mosques that were built in my area, the space is not enough.”
The problem is made worse by people travelling from other areas to attend Friday sermon at certain mosques.
Habib Rehman has lived in Al Rashidiya for 12 years and attends the Imam Abu Hanifah mosque. The building was recently expanded but still struggles to cope with the number of worshippers.
“At Friday prayers too many people come here and the space is not enough for all, which forces them outside where there is no tent,” said the 72-year-old Pakistani.
“At other times it is fine and we are not forced to worship outside.”
Imam Mahmoud Labib said the mosque could accommodate 1,500 people inside and 250 at the door. On Fridays and during Eid the area around the building was packed tight.
“When I pray outside the heat is unbearable,” said Mohammed Sliman, 55, a Palestinian who attends the Sultan Al Suwaidi and Abu Huraira mosques in Al Nuaimiya.
“Last week, worshippers were forced to pray in shade around the mosque and when there is no shade they pray in the yard under the sun. Sometimes some Muslims bring boxes of water and put them in the yard as charity.”
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments (Awqaf) in Ajman has this year opened four mosques in the emirate, with another nine set to open in the next few months. Awqaf has plans to build another 15 next year.
An Awqaf spokesman said that the body strived to ensure there were enough mosques for the growing population.
“When we receive a complaint from Muslim worshippers that they struggle for space, we expand the space or we build another mosque,” he said.
The problem does not affect every neighbourhood.
In Al Jurf and Mushairef worshippers can attend sermons inside even during busy religious holidays.
“In my area there are four mosques beside my house. It is rare to find worshippers praying outside,” said Abdullah Al Hosani, 43, an Emirati police officer who lives in Mushairef.
His compatriot and fellow officer Mohammed Al Nuaimi said the devout in his neighbourhood were well catered for.
“I have moved to Al Jurf two months ago and I have never struggled for space in any mosque and never seen any Muslim praying outside at Friday prayers,” the 40-year-old said.
roueiti@thenational.ae
