Dubai ruler calls for mosques in shopping malls

New shopping centres in Dubai should have mosques and health clinics for the convenience of shoppers, according to a new order given by Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

The Prime Minister of the UAE made his comments while he was inspecting Aswaq shopping centre, the latest mall to open in the emirate.

The facilities will allow mall visitors to shop and perform their prayers, news agency WAM reported.

Sheikh Mohammed instructed the authorities concerned to conduct required studies for implementing the order as soon as possible.

The Aswaq shopping mall is the first in a series of malls, which will be constructed within the next five years in different districts and quarters of Dubai.

Sheikh Mohammed has backed plans to set up a chain of 22 shopping centres throughout the emirate to reduce the burden of residents who had to travel far to visit malls.

He added that families could rent out outlets in the shopping malls to market their products through the Dakakeen (shops) project.

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