Fund plea for new mosque in Oman's Amerat Heights

Muscat: Residents in Amerat Heights are looking for support from sympathetic people, as they seek to build a temporary mosque after a fire damaged their neighbourhood mosque last Thursday.
“On Thursday after the Maghrib prayer, the mosque was damaged in a fire caused by an electrical short-circuit. Now, we have to travel to nearby areas to pray. Men can manage. But it’s a hassle for women. So, we are seeking help from the community to build a prayer hall for women and men till a new mosque is built,” Saud Salmi, a resident in the area, told Times of Oman.
With the support of some residents, a new mosque is being built. Construction started three years ago and is progressing. Residents plan to build the new prayer hall adjacent to the new mosque.
“Since the new mosque is being built with support from the community, a shortage of funds is hindering the process. We have not received any government funds. So, the work is lagging. Now, the temporary mosque where we used to pray has also been damaged in a fire,” Salmi added.
There are some 200 homes located in the area that depend on the temporary mosque to pray.
“A few thousand is needed to build a temporary prayer hall for women. If the community comes forward, it would be a blessing for us. We want to build the temporary prayer hall, and also use the support to speed up the work of the mosque under construction,” Salmi added.
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According to a report by the Public Authority for Civil Defence and Ambulance (PACDA), electrical faults accounted for one-third of all fires in 2015.
The highest number of cases last year was recorded in Muscat Governorate, officials reported. The Muscat Governorate saw the highest number of fires, at 1,036, while North Al Batinah Governorate recorded 960 fires, making these the two regions with the highest number of fires in the Sultanate.
Those seeking to contribute to construction of the temporary prayer hall, and speed the work of the new mosque under construction, can contact Abdullah Al Humaidi at 99365678 or Saud Salmi at 99335530, who is a local resident and trade union leader in the oil and gas sector.