The number of mosques in Dubai is expected to grow, with 61 new mosques currently under construction in Bur Dubai and Deira, revealed the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department.

According to the Dubai Statistic Centre (DSC), there were 2,036 mosques located in Dubai in 2015, showing a 20.3 per cent increase from 2014 (1,692 mosques).

While it may seem that almost every Dubai neighbourhood has at least one or two mosques, the plan to increase the number of mosques is based on the growth of population in the emirate.

“The current construction taking place is in light of the department’s plans to cooperate with other divisions to build new mosques geographically depending on population density in different areas,” said Mohammad Jassim, head of the engineering department at the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department.

The project is set to cost over Dh398 million, and will include building 30 mosques in Bur Dubai, and 26 in Deira. Five mosques are to be completely rebuilt, added Jassim.

“Some mosques will be built in the local style and Fatimid style, while others will follow the Ottoman style, or a modern architectural style,” said Jassim.

The department has previously built 988 concrete mosques in Dubai, and is will continue to oversee the construction of new mosques in order to meet the population’s demands.

“Once all the mosques are built and completed, they will accommodate around 52,600 people,” said Jassim.

Statistics from the DSC showed that Dubai has 218 mosques that can accommodate over 1,000 people, 110 mosques that accommodate 800 people, and 783 mosques than can accommodate between 200-600 people. Dubai also has 925 mosques than can accommodate 100 people or less.

While there are no conclusive data of the total number of mosques in the UAE to date, the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments confirmed there were 5,036 mosques in the UAE in June 2014.