DUBAI: A rich Christian businessman from India has gifted a $3 lakh mosque to hundreds of Muslim staff ahead of Ramzan in the UAE, a media file stated on Wednesday.
Saji Cheriyan, 49, who hails from Kerala's Kayamkulam, constructed the mosque for Muslim staff residing in a employee lodging that he rented out to 53 companies in Fujairah, Gulf News reported.
He will name the mosque as Mariam, Umm Eisa.
Cheriyan stated he determined to build the mosque after he saw staff taking taxis to visit the closest mosque.
"They have to spend at least 20 dirhams to go to Fujairah city or another industrial area to attend the Juma prayer in a mosque. So, I thought it will make them happy if I build a mosque here next to their accommodation," he stated.
The businessman, who had landed in the UAE in 2003 with only some hundred dirhams, is gifting the 1.3 million dirham mosque to hundreds of staff this Ramzan, the file stated.
The mosque in the East Ville Real Estate complex in Al Hayl Industrial Area can accommodate 250 worshippers at a time, it stated.
Facilities for some other 700 to wish in the interlocked courtyard of the mosque, which will probably be shaded by the time it opens, have additionally been arranged, it stated.
The development began over a yr in the past. Now the mosque is all set to open with the entire toughen of Awqaf in Fujairah.
"The Awqaf officials were surprised and happy when they got to know I am a Christian who wishes to build a mosque. They have offered me all the support and were ready to offer free electricity and water and other facilities," Cheriyan stated.
However, all that he has authorized from Awqaf are the carpet and sound system for the mosque.
"When word spread about my mosque, many other people also offered cash donations, construction materials like sand and paint. But I have politely refused all those offers as I would like to pay from my pocket for this mosque," he stated.
He stated he has opted for the name Mariam, Umm Eisa (Mary, the Mother of Jesus) for the mosque after an Abu Dhabi mosque was once renamed so in 2017.
Cheriyan, an Orthodox Christian by means of delivery, had in the past constructed a church for his parish in Dibba and likewise keeps the doors of a multipurpose hall in the East Ville Complex for various different teams of Christian believers to wish.
"I have grown up seeing communities living together in utmost harmony. We celebrate all religions' festivals and I don't judge or treat people based on religion, caste, colour or nationality. The UAE is another example of communal harmony and tolerance," he added.
Saji Cheriyan, 49, who hails from Kerala's Kayamkulam, constructed the mosque for Muslim staff residing in a employee lodging that he rented out to 53 companies in Fujairah, Gulf News reported.
He will name the mosque as Mariam, Umm Eisa.
Cheriyan stated he determined to build the mosque after he saw staff taking taxis to visit the closest mosque.
"They have to spend at least 20 dirhams to go to Fujairah city or another industrial area to attend the Juma prayer in a mosque. So, I thought it will make them happy if I build a mosque here next to their accommodation," he stated.
The businessman, who had landed in the UAE in 2003 with only some hundred dirhams, is gifting the 1.3 million dirham mosque to hundreds of staff this Ramzan, the file stated.
The mosque in the East Ville Real Estate complex in Al Hayl Industrial Area can accommodate 250 worshippers at a time, it stated.
Facilities for some other 700 to wish in the interlocked courtyard of the mosque, which will probably be shaded by the time it opens, have additionally been arranged, it stated.
The development began over a yr in the past. Now the mosque is all set to open with the entire toughen of Awqaf in Fujairah.
"The Awqaf officials were surprised and happy when they got to know I am a Christian who wishes to build a mosque. They have offered me all the support and were ready to offer free electricity and water and other facilities," Cheriyan stated.
However, all that he has authorized from Awqaf are the carpet and sound system for the mosque.
"When word spread about my mosque, many other people also offered cash donations, construction materials like sand and paint. But I have politely refused all those offers as I would like to pay from my pocket for this mosque," he stated.
He stated he has opted for the name Mariam, Umm Eisa (Mary, the Mother of Jesus) for the mosque after an Abu Dhabi mosque was once renamed so in 2017.
Cheriyan, an Orthodox Christian by means of delivery, had in the past constructed a church for his parish in Dibba and likewise keeps the doors of a multipurpose hall in the East Ville Complex for various different teams of Christian believers to wish.
"I have grown up seeing communities living together in utmost harmony. We celebrate all religions' festivals and I don't judge or treat people based on religion, caste, colour or nationality. The UAE is another example of communal harmony and tolerance," he added.
Christian from India gifts mosque to Muslim workers in UAE
![Christian from India gifts mosque to Muslim workers in UAE]()
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May 16, 2018
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