Doha: Qatar's Biggest Mosque Opens for Worship

Pics: Alexis Castelino
Daijiworld Media Network - Doha

Doha, Dec 18 (Gulf Times): Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani on Friday December 16 inaugurated the “Imam Muhammad Ibn Abdul Wa ab” Mosque in Doha.

The country’s biggest and most-awaited mosque has been named after the great reformer and renowned reviver in honour of the scholars who still carry Imam Abdul Wa ab’s thought and message to serve Islam and Muslims.

In a speech on the occasion, the Emir expressed his belief that the mosque, which stems from the land of Qatar, will serve as a platform for reform and worshipping God Almighty in spirit and in truth away from fads and fancies.

The Emir reaffirmed his commitment to spare no efforts to carry the message and spread the teachings of Islam in the whole world, noting that the Muslim nation is now in need of renewal and inspiration of the experience of Wa ab’s da’wah (call) while keeping pace with the era and its developments.

He said no occasion was as lofty as this one and no event lived up to it, asking the Almighty Allah to provide us with His Grace after “we raised the bases of one of Allah’s houses and completed its construction.”

“Is there a greater and higher act of worship than the remembrance under the roof a new house of Allah’s houses?, the Emir inquired.

“I am confident that this mosque which stems from the land of Qatar, as an eternal part of it, will serve as a platform for reform and sincere call to the Almighty Allah away from fads and fancies to serve the people on earth while coping with the spirit of the era and saving them in the hereafter in order to please Allah and His Messenger (peace be upon him).”

The inauguration started with a recitation of verses from the Holy Qur’an followed by the screening of a documentary on the mosque.

In his speec the Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, Dr Ghaith Mubarak Ali bin Imran al-Kuwari, stressed the great role undertaken by the institution of mosque throughout the history of Muslims in preserving the Islamic nation’s identity and the spiritual and moral values and spread of the good among the faithful.

He also pointed to the pioneering role of mosques in the history of the dissemination and development of knowledge and urging of competition in seeking and excelling in serving it for the whole of humanity.

Dr al-Kuwari noted that out of these important roles the houses of Allah, according to the guidelines and directives of the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani and the Heir Apparent Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs has paid special attention to mosques in Qatar and abroad.

“In this matter, it believes in the roles of mosques in enhancing the stability and spiritual security of the community,” he said.

Later, the Emir, accompanied by guests, unveiled the memorial plaque of the mosque and performed the Friday prayer.

Preacher and Islamic caller at the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Dr Mohamed bin Hassan al-Khatib delivered the Friday sermon in which he confirmed the greatness of this religion that Allah saved from changing and alteration.

He pointed out that Allah preserved the Islamic religion by blessing it with faithful and pious Muslim scholars who call to Allah in accordance with the path of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and spread the message of Islam which is free from heresies and superstitions.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by the Heir Apparent Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, the Emir’s Special Adviser, Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Thani, the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor al-Thani, Mohamed bin Mubarak al-Khulaifi, Speaker of the Advisory (Shura) Council, a number of Sheikhs, ministers, dignitaries, heads of diplomatic missions accredited to Qatar and guests