10
Fares Al Mustafa
Sheikh
Imam & Khateeb
Joanna Andrews took a trip to the Al Farooq Omar Ibn Al Khattab Mosque and Centre to put
Sheikh Fares, a leading scholar Imam & Khateeb, under the spotlight.
How long have you been at the
Omar Ibn Al Khattab Mosque?
Peace, mercy and blessings of Allah
be upon you (As-salam alaykum). I
have had the privilege to work in the
mosque for 18 years, since November
1, 1995.
Tell me about the history of
the Mosque from what it was
when you first came to what it
is today?
The Mosque was established in 1986,
I was present during its renovation and
first expansion sponsored by Mr Khalaf
Ahmad Al Habtoor, who financed the
building of the mosque. Then in 2010
it was rebuilt and expanded, on Mr
Al Habtoor’s initiative, and became
a distinguished monument that was
opened in summer 2011.
What is the importance of the
name?
The Mosque was named after Al
Farooq Omar Ibn Al Khattab - Al
Farooq, a title given to him by Prophet
Mohammad (PBUH). It means the one
who distinguishes between what is
truth, and what is not.
What are your hopes for the
future of the Mosque?
I especially hope that the Mosque
would turn into a hub for love,
compassion, tolerance and interaction
for the good of others, a role it is
already playing, because God’s
message for all prophets is love and
compassion.
What is the importance of the
Omar Ibn Al Khattab Mosque
and Centre to the UAE in
general?
It has become a religious, touristic
and cultural destination in the UAE.
Thousands of tourists, from different
faiths, races and cultures, visit
the Mosque to see its magnificent
architecture and experience its
cultural and humanitarian role.
Tell me about the importance
of the architectural features
and where they originated
from?
The Mosque is inspired by the
Ottoman heritage from the outside,
especially through its outstanding four
minarets and magnificent domes.
From the inside, the architecture is
characterised with cultural diversity,
combining between Ottoman and
Andalusian styles. The inscriptions,
decorations and Quranic verses on
the walls and domes are a fantastic
feature that adds more beauty to the
mosque.
What are your hobbies?
My hobbies, besides my work in the
mosque, are hiking and reading.
Under the Spotlight
