Rashid Al Zayani Mosque in the Galali area was opened yesterday evening in the presence of the President of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Shaikh Abdullah bin Khalid Al Khalifa; the Adviser to His Majesty the King for Media Affairs, Nabeel Al Hamer; the Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, Zayed Al Zayani; the Chairman of the Sunni Endowments Council, Shaikh Rashid Al Hajri; the President of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage, Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud; and a number of officials, dignitaries and religious figures.
Hamed Al Zayani said that the late Rashid Al Zayani, after whom the mosque is named, had urged the doing of good, which is why the Rashid Al Zayani Mabara was established, and the mosque is one of its leading projects. He added: "We follow in his footsteps."
He also said that the mosque, which cost one million eight hundred thousand dinars, accommodates 1,300 male and 250 female worshippers and includes a majlis for 150 people, as well as six classrooms for teaching the Holy Quran with room for 140 students, classes for teaching Arabic calligraphy, car parking, a garden and a children's playground.
Speaking to Al Ayam on the sidelines of the opening ceremony, Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, President of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage, said: "I am always happy to be in Bahrain, my country, and in truth I never feel a stranger here."
He added: "I was honoured to receive a special invitation to attend the opening of the mosque, which is a pioneering charitable project, worthy of the late Rashid Al Zayani in whose name it was built."
He noted that "His Majesty the King, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and His Royal Highness the Prime Minister are always present in charitable works and projects, foremost among them the building of mosques and enabling people to continue this work, which is great in the sight of God."
He praised his meeting with the President of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Shaikh Abdullah bin Khalid Al Khalifa, at the opening, stressing that "his presence is always a blessing."
He concluded by congratulating the family of Rashid Al Zayani and all those who follow their example in building and maintaining houses of God, adding: "That is nothing unusual for the people of Bahrain."
