The Masdar City Mosque combines traditional Emirati design and is designed to accommodate 1,300 worshippers at peak hours during Ramadan.
Up to 1,300 worshippers living near Masdar City can pray at the city’s new mosque during Ramadan and experience firsthand its net-zero energy efficiency.
The Masdar City Mosque is fully powered by solar energy, generating as much electricity as it consumes annually — exemplifying the UAE’s broader commitment to sustainable development and low-carbon living.
Developed by Masdar, the mosque is designed to function both as a place of worship and a community gathering space, accommodating up to 1,300 worshippers during Ramadan prayers.
“Sustainability is deeply rooted in Islamic teachings, which emphasize balance, moderation, and stewardship of the Earth,” said Ahmed Baghoum, noting that the project shows how places of worship can “lead by example” in environmental responsibility.
Inspired by one of the UAE’s oldest mosques
Architecturally, the mosque draws inspiration from Al Bidyah Mosque, one of the UAE’s oldest surviving mosques, blending traditional forms with modern engineering.
Its 42-metre-wide, column-free prayer hall provides an uninterrupted space for worship, while a 20.2-metre minaret stands as a prominent landmark in Masdar City’s skyline. A rammed-earth Qibla wall — the first used in a public building in Abu Dhabi — naturally regulates indoor temperatures while reflecting centuries-old regional construction techniques.
The mosque’s sustainability features include over 1,000 square metres of rooftop and shaded parking solar photovoltaic panels, generating 100% of its annual energy needs. Passive design elements — such as optimal building orientation, shaded arcades, natural ventilation, and daylighting — reduce energy demand, while LED lighting and district cooling further enhance efficiency.
For the first time in an Abu Dhabi mosque, a greywater recycling system treats water used for ablution and reuses it for landscape irrigation.
The project has achieved LEED Platinum and 4 Pearl Estidama ratings, along with Net-Zero Energy Certification from the International Living Future Institute.
Opening during the UAE’s Year of Family, the mosque emphasizes its role not only as a place of worship but also as a space for families and the wider community to gather during Ramadan and beyond. Masdar has confirmed that the mosque will continue hosting faith-based and cultural events throughout the year.
