Many people come to the Satwa Big Mosque every day to pray. The mosque is the same as many mosques in the Middle East and North Africa that have large white domes and minarets.
What Makes This Mosque Special? This Satwa Mosque is not just a place for tourists to see but a place of prayer for the whole family. It is a synonym to the solidarity of the Satwa community, so a majority of the people refer to it as the heart of the area. Therefore, it is one of the bigger mosques in Dubai that holds around 1,200 people at a time, hence it is a famous mosque in Dubai.
Where is the Satwa Big Mosque?
The Satwa Big Mosque is located at 216 Al Satwa Road, Dubai. The court is situated close to many renowned places in Dubai, hence it is very easy to find. On the other hand, the mosque is between the Sheikh Zayed Road and the Dubai World Trade Centre.
The mosque is important for the local people because you can see the white dome and the next building, which is the minaret, right from where you are, which enables one to easily find the mosque, so you won’t stress to find the one you are looking for.
What is Around the Mosque
Some of the places where people can get help are located near the mosque. The Emirates Post is located right across the road. The Pakistani and Afghan food lovers can come to the Salwa Palace Restaurant for mouth-watering Pakistani and Afghan dishes. The Satwa Roundabout is not far from there. Walking down a small lane will let you see the lovely flowers that are placed on this Roundabout. This is a pretty place where you can see it right away
Finding the Mosque
People wanting to visit the mosque can make use of Google Maps or even RTA maps as well. Writing “Satwa Big Mosque Dubai” into the search bar of the map shows one where the mosque is situated. Sometimes the map has a name like “Al Satwa Al Kabeer Mosque”. The high tower in the mosque makes it very easily visible from the road.
What Does the Satwa Mosque Look Like?
Outside the Mosque
Barring the minaret and dome, the mosque is adorned with ivory marble walls and a captivating big dome. The walls are in perfect condition, and the minaret is very tall.
The architects conceived the building in accordance with the traditional model that has been used in that part of the world. Nevertheless, they have modernized it using pertinent materials to give it a durable, clean finish.
Inside the Mosque
Inside the mosque is a large room where thousands of people can pray at the same time, and it is air-conditioned so that the room is quite cool even in the hot weather.
The floor of the meditation hall is covered with a carpet that is exceptionally beautiful, and the walls are wonderfully ornamented with various patterns. Men and women differ in that each has their own entrance. Both areas are enormous, and they can accommodate a large number of people.
When Can People Visit?
Of course, the Satwa Big Mosque is open to its parishioners every day for their five daily prayers. To attend the first service, you have to crawl out of bed and be there before dawn. The last prayer of the day is after sunset. Also, each Friday in the vicinity of the mosque, many people gather to offer the special Friday prayer. On Eid/other special religious occasions, the mosque turns into a festive place and attracts lots of people.
In addition, the community holds Quran classes for people to learn how to read the holy book. The mosque also contributes to society by getting people together for different charity events to support those in need for food or money. However, as the mosque is mainly used for the local people to go for their daily prayers, it is also open to visitors who come to see the mosque.
How to Get to the Mosque
By Bus
There is no problem in reaching the Satwa Big Mosque by bus. Direct bus service is provided to the mosque at the bus stops: “Satwa, Masjid 1” and “Satwa, Masjid 2”. These stops are placed at the very front of the mosque so that the buses of this station frequently stop there whenever they are scheduled to get there.
Along with the aforementioned ones, there are several buses, for example, buses number 7, 28, and 32C that also arrive there. Alternatively, “Satwa Bus Station” or “Satwa Post Office” stops are the ones where riders can hop off and walk for about 5 minutes till they reach the mosque.
By Metro Train
The nearest metro station is the World Trade Centre, which is located on the Red Line. One can reach the mosque in approximately 17 minutes after changing trains at this station and walking on foot for an extra distance.
Another option he/she can have is getting rid of tedious walking and substituting it with a short bus ride or taxi. From the Emirates Towers station to Al Satwa will take the same time, but it depends on the train schedule of the trains at the stations.
By Taxi or Car
Taxis are a good choice as they can drop off passengers right near the mosque. The gentle ride from the downtown area or the Dubai Mall to the mosque using a taxi just takes 5 to 10 minutes.
Walking
People residing in the Satwa neighborhood or those from the nearby areas, such as Karama, can just walk to the mosque as it is located where it is easy to see, and the people in the surrounding areas acknowledge it as such. The locals simply call it the mosque of the area, so travelers are directed with that as a navigation point marker.
What Services Are Available
Prayer Areas
The main hall, next to which men usually pray, is a very large place that is not only air-conditioned but also lavishly decorated with a carpet that is absolutely stunning. Women have a separate prayer area located in another hall which is also quite large and comfortable to accommodate them. Both the prayer halls have an entrance signifying the division among all the people.
Washing Facilities
There are modern and clean bathrooms where people can perform wudu, a traditional Islamic process of cleansing oneself before prayer. These bathrooms are well-sanitized and have a constant flow of water. Both men and women have their own separate bathroom areas.
Other Helpful Things
Shoe racks are available at the main entrance for people to place their shoes. The visitors can use the sanitizer available there, which can also prevent the spread of diseases. There is a helper who will show the visitors around the place and be their guide in case the mosque is busy and no one to help.
Getting to Other Places from the Mosque
To Dubai Mall
If passengers select bus number 28, they can travel from the mosque to Dubai Mall in about 19 minutes for a price of about 5 dirhams. An alternative to this option is a 22-minute journey by foot from the World Trade Centre metro station to the same area.
That means people can walk to the metro station and catch the train that goes in about 22 minutes to the Dubai Mall Tram Station. This is the fastest option, but it will cost about 15 to 20 dirhams.
To Other Famous Places
The mosque is located quite near. Burjuman Mall is within 2 kilometers of the mosque. Downtown Dubai is situated about 3 kilometers from it, and the location could be pinpointed to the east of downtown. Jumeirah Mosque is about 3 kilometers from the mosque, and it is situated in the south of the place.
How Much Does It Cost to Visit?
Visiting the mosque is absolutely free of charge. However, the visitors ought to keep in mind that the mosque should be considered as a sacred place and not think that they are touring the place. Though in most cases, visitors may opt to contribute a small sum of money to the mosque maintenance, it is not a prerequisite.
The Satwa Mosque is the foundation of a multi-cultural working-class community in Dubai. On the one hand, it not only allows visitors an authentic representation of local life but also showcases beautiful Islamic architecture with a serene environment throughout the mosque.
