The MENA region’s first net-positive mosque has been opened by Majid Al Futtaim, a leading shopping mall, communities, retail and leisure pioneer across the Middle East, Africa and Asia.
The mosque was opened in the Group’s flagship Dubai community, Tilal Al Ghaf, and it integrates sustainable and modern design practices in support of the UAE’s Green Agenda 2030, ensuring efficiency, resource optimisation and minimal environmental impact.
“The opening of the first net-zero emissions mosque in the Middle East is an achievement that reflects our deep commitment to the principles of sustainability, this project represents a significant shift in the field of environmental sustainability and highlights our fruitful collaboration with Majid Al Futtaim in implementing this initiative”, said His Excellency Ahmed Darwish Al Mohair, General Manager of the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department.
“It serves as a live example of a successful partnership between public and private sectors, setting a new standard for responsible innovation in building and maintenance, it also aligns with the noble Islamic values that advocate for environmental preservation and protection.”
The Majid Al Futtaim Mosque is set to become the first bespoke project to be given the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) certification. This assessment recognises measures of performance that are set against established benchmarks, evaluating a building’s specification, design, construction and use.
The BREEAM framework is globally recognised and used to validate the sustainability of buildings by evaluating different facets of a building’s environmental influence and functionality.
The mosque’s construction incorporates advanced mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) systems, renewable energy sources and sustainable building practices designed to achieve a net-positive status. A key element of the construction is a renewable energy system with 203 solar photovoltaic panels, providing a total installed solar capacity of 116.73 kWp and generating over 204,121 kWh annually, delivering more than 115 per cent of the mosque’s energy demand. The excess energy is supplied back to the grid to be used across the community.
There is also a solar-powered hot water system, LED lighting, an efficient HVAC setup, EV charging stations, and a Building Management System (BMS) to optimise energy consumption. Water efficiency, air quality and non-toxic materials have been employed to ensure a healthy environment, with responsibly sourced low-carbon materials prioritised to reduce the overall carbon footprint of the building.
“It is a great honour to inaugurate the Majid Al Futtaim Mosque, a symbol of our late Founder’s enduring legacy and a tribute to his commitment to serve the communities in which we operate”, said Ahmed Galal Ismail, Chief Executive Officer of Majid Al Futtaim Holding.
“As the first net-positive mosque in the region, this space has been thoughtfully designed as a cornerstone of the community, blending sustainable design principles with Islamic values.”
The mosque supports Majid Al Futtaim’s commitment to building a cleaner tomorrow, with the Group aims to achieve net-positivity in carbon and water for all its operating companies by 2040.