As part of the “City Makers (Bunat Al Madinah)” initiatives under the General Secretariat of The Executive Council of Dubai—aimed at developing integrated, human-centric government services and enhancing intergovernmental collaboration to streamline the customer journey—the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (IACAD) in Dubai has launched the “Manaber” initiative. The initiative offers a unified and seamless experience for donors contributing to the construction and sponsorship of mosques, reflecting Dubai’s vision of adopting innovative government models that enhance quality of life and align with the objectives of the Dubai Plan 2033, across its economic and social agendas.
The Manaber initiative seeks to unify the mosque construction and sponsorship journey across the emirate through an integrated, customized experience that brings together donors, government entities, consultancy offices, and charitable organizations within a single reference environment. This ensures clarity of procedures and speed of execution—from the initial intent to donate through to the completion of mosque construction. The initiative was jointly developed by the Mosque Construction Services Improvement Team under the City Makers initiative, in collaboration with six strategic partners: the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department, Dubai Municipality, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), Dubai Development Authority, and the Security Industry Regulatory Agency (SIRA). This collaboration has resulted in an integrated ecosystem that enhances procedural efficiency and accelerates mosque project implementation, including in free zones.
Selecting Mosque Lands Digitally Through Manaber, donors can choose from several options, including building a new mosque from scratch, contributing to the construction or completion of an existing mosque, or sponsoring a mosque. The initiative also enables donors to view designated mosque plots and select suitable locations easily, without the need to submit requests or communicate directly with staff. This provides instant, regularly updated information and allows donors to track the status of their contribution throughout all stages until project completion.
Manaber for Design: In Collaboration with Consultancy Offices and University Students
For donors wishing to select from ready-made mosque designs aligned with available plots, community participation has been enhanced through “Manaber for Design.” This stream invites consultancy offices and university students to submit innovative designs that contribute to shaping the future architectural identity of mosques. Approved designs are made available for donor selection, enabling donors to choose both land and pre-approved designs, thus expediting procedures and accelerating construction. This model combines community creativity with institutional work.
Additionally, donors who prefer mosque construction to be supervised by charitable organizations are provided with this option through coordination with relevant charities, offering customized choices that meet donor preferences.
Comprehensive Manaber Guide The initiative also includes a comprehensive guide that provides donors and consultancy offices with all necessary information to complete services. It clearly outlines approved standards and requirements for mosque construction in Dubai, enhancing unified design specifications, improving output quality, and ensuring architectural harmony across mosques in the emirate.
Official Statements H.E. Ahmed Darwish Al Muhairi, Director General of the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department in Dubai, affirmed that the Manaber initiative embodies a government approach that places people at the heart of development. He noted that it represents a practical translation of the wise leadership’s vision to deliver faster, more transparent, and higher-quality services. He added that the initiative supports the unified government model, strengthens community engagement, and offers donors an opportunity to actively participate in developing houses of worship through a modern experience that reflects Dubai’s dynamic spirit.
Meanwhile, Engineer Ali Al Halyan Al Suwaidi, Leader of the Mosque Construction Services Team under City Makers, explained that the launch of Manaber responds to the emirate’s growing needs in this sector. He noted that 24 mosques were completed in 2024 at a cost of AED 172 million, while work is currently underway on 56 mosques with a total cost of AED 465 million. In addition, more than 350 land plots have been allocated within Dubai’s urban master plan. He emphasized that unifying processes and collaborating with consultancy offices have significantly improved efficiency and reduced project timelines. Integrated Efforts to Facilitate the Donor Journey
As part of intergovernmental coordination, the Security Industry Regulatory Agency (SIRA) now provides specialized technical consultations to ensure the highest safety and security standards and to accelerate procedures. DEWA contributed to the initiative’s success by prioritizing the issuance of no-objection certificates (NOCs) for electricity and water and expediting utility connections for mosque projects. Coordination with Dubai Municipality also covered landscaping and green spaces surrounding mosques.
Previously announced facilitation measures in coordination with Dubai Municipality included incorporating the department’s approved engineering and construction requirements into the Dubai Building Code and issuing technical approvals and licenses through the Dubai Building Platform.
IACAD affirmed that the Manaber initiative represents a qualitative leap in unifying and simplifying government procedures, reinforcing humanitarian values, and strengthening Dubai’s position as a leading city in smart services and sustainable community initiatives. The initiative ensures an integrated experience that elevates the donor journey and supports the sustainability of mosques in line with best institutional practices.
Additional Statement H.E. Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, stated: “Manaber is a model example of the government integration approach adopted by Dubai and a practical translation of the wise leadership’s vision to leverage digital transformation and innovation to deliver more efficient and seamless services. The initiative also reflects the authentic values of UAE society rooted in generosity, giving, and charitable work, by facilitating the participation of benefactors in building and sponsoring mosques through an advanced digital experience. We are pleased to contribute to this initiative by facilitating the issuance of NOCs and accelerating electricity and water connections for mosque projects, in line with our commitment to supporting initiatives that enhance social development, in alignment with the Dubai Quality of Life Strategy 2033 and the Dubai Social Agenda 33, which aim to develop the city and enrich the living experience, while reinforcing Dubai’s global standing in delivering integrated and sustainable government services.”