Dubai is to open a Dh55m floating mosque next year featuring a prayer hall set under water, authorities said on Thursday.
The place of worship is being developed at Dubai Water Canal by the emirate's Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department.
The authority said the mega project was central to a new religious tourism drive aimed at boosting visitor numbers.
The mosque will be on three floors, with the prayer hall submerged, and will serve between 50 and 75 worshippers.
A number of eye-catching renderings were released on Thursday, offering a glimpse into the future of the attraction.
Ahmed Khalfan Al Mansouri, cultural communication consultant at IACAD, said the mosque was one of a number of projects aimed at attracting tourists to religious sites in Dubai.
“The floating mosque will be an important attraction in the emirate," he said.
"Visitors will walk into the mosque and either pray or see the underwater praying hall."
The two floors set above water will include a hall for Islamic lectures and workshops.
“The mosque will be connected to the land. We are finishing the design, and it will be open to visitors next year,” he added.
People of all faiths will be welcome to visit the mosque but will be asked to dress modestly and act respectively in accordance with Islamic customs.
Women will be asked to wear dress covering their heads and shoulders.
In January, IACAD announced plans to build the world’s first fully functional 3D-printed mosque.
The construction of the 2,000-square-metre mosque in Bur Dubai is to start in October and the mosque is due to be ready for 600 worshippers early in 2025.
It will take about four months to complete the 3D printing of the building's structure and a further 12 months to fully fit it out with the appropriate facilities, the authority said.
Dr Abdullah Abduljabar, who is director of the IACAD's tourism project, told of his vision to share the emirate's mosques with a wider audience.
He said there will be focus on promoting the nation's rich culture during key religious festivals, such as Ramadan and Eid.
“Many historic and modern mosques deserve a visit in the emirate," he said.
"We will organise tours in different mosques to encourage religious tourism.
“The project will benefit from Ramadan and Eid timings to attract visitors.
"It is also a chance for visitors to explore Islamic culture and Emriati traditions."
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Lt Gen Erik Petersen, deputy chief of programs, US Army, has argued it took a “three decade holiday” on modernising tanks.
“There clearly remains a significant armoured heavy ground manoeuvre threat in this world and maintaining a world class armoured force is absolutely vital,” the general said in London last week.
“We are developing next generation capabilities to compete with and deter adversaries to prevent opportunism or miscalculation, and, if necessary, defeat any foe decisively.”
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
Classification of skills
A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation.
A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.
The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000.
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Mobile phone packages comparison
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
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The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
