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More than five years in the making, the largest mosque in Sharjah opened its doors in 2019. The Dh300 million building occupies 185,806 square metres with a capacity to accommodate over 25,000 worshippers. 5000 worshippers, with allocated seating for 610 women, can be accommodated inside.

An abiding symbol of faith, the structure is well worth visiting for the chance to view its grandeur; surrounded by gardens and water fountains, the domes, minarets and columns have been designed to reflect a unique Islamic architectural style. The main prayer hall has arched windows with stained glass, walls decorated with verses from the Quran, a large chandelier in the centre and red carpeting. A gift shop, cafeteria and open areas as well as spaces for non-Muslims are all part of the design.

Home to a large library rich in Islamic works, the mosque is also equipped to welcome non-Muslim visitors and lovers of knowledge from around the world. The collection hall is a unique treasury of books and antiques from different Islamic eras.

Visitors wishing for a full understanding of the architecture and the complex, can take a walk around on the dedicated rubber track which wraps around the mosque. In addition, there are several gates and entrances, including four public entrances, two for women, one for VIPs and one for buses.

Built around the Umm an-Nar tomb, a huge circular Bronze Age grave, the Mleiha Archaeological Centre brings Sharjah’s ancient history to life. There are amazing artefacts and exhibits, interactive displays and guided tours of the surrounding archaeological sites.

Enjoy a meal at the café and the huge range of activities on offer, including trekking and 4WD tours to Fossil Rock and Camel Rock, paragliding from one of Mleiha’s tallest peaks, desert cycling tours and dune buggy rides.

When visitors enter the room, they are directed to navigate intuitively and carefully through the dark underground space in order to protect themselves from the downpour. As the visitors walk through the room, which uses 1,200 liters of self-cleaning, recycled water, their movements trigger motion sensors that pauses the rainfall when detecting movement.

Founded in 2005, Random International is a London-based collaborative studio for experimental and digital practice within contemporary art. Their work, which includes sculpture, performance and large-scale architectural installations, reflects the relationship between man and machine and centres on audience interaction.

Sharjah Art Foundation is an advocate, catalyst and producer of contemporary art. Through the Sharjah Biennial, the annual March Meeting, year-round exhibitions, education and community outreach programmes, grants, residencies, commissions and publications, the foundation encourages a shared understanding of the transformational role of art.

The Rain Room building in Sharjah has been designed by Sharjah Art Foundation and the UAE-based SpaceContinuum Design Studio in collaboration with Shape Architecture Practice + Research, Sharjah.