Dubai is set to make history with the introduction of the world’s first fully functional 3D-printed mosque. The mosque is expected to open its doors to the public in 2025.
Situated in Bur Dubai, the construction of the 2,000 square meter mosque is scheduled to commence in October, with a capacity to accommodate 600 worshippers, according to Ali Mohammad Alhalyan Alsuwaidi, head of engineering at the Dubai Government’s Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (IACAD).
Utilizing advanced 3D printing technology, the mosque’s structure will take approximately four months to complete. An additional 12 months will be allocated for the integration of essential facilities, as outlined by IACAD.
This groundbreaking project aligns with the visionary directives of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
Ali Al Suwaidi, the director of IACAD, explained that the 3D robotic printer will be operated by three skilled workers, with a printing rate of two square meters per hour. The printer will employ a unique concrete mix, blended with raw materials, during the printing process.
The construction technique involves layering a specially formulated mineral-infused fluid along a pre-determined computer-generated route. This fluid rapidly solidifies into concrete, effectively transforming the digital design into a tangible three-dimensional structure.
“The cost is 30 percent higher than building the mosque in the normal way because it is the first of its kind in the world,” IACAD’s Al Suwaidi said in a statement, adding that cost will be similar in the future with a 30-year building guarantee.
IACAD is currently collaborating with the Dubai Municipality to secure final approvals for the mosque’s design.
Hamad Al Shaibani, the director-general of IACAD, expressed his excitement, stating, “Constructing the world’s first mosque using 3D printing technology is an exceptional project, and it is a tangible manifestation of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed’s vision.”
The creation of this 3D-printed mosque forms part of Dubai’s larger 3D Printing Strategy, which aims to leverage technology for the betterment of humanity and establish the city as a global leader in the industry by 2030.