Design take: Palm Jebel Ali Friday Mosque

Nakheel has unveiled the design for the Palm Jebel Ali Friday Mosque, set to become the spiritual and cultural heart of the island. Designed by global architecture practice Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), the mosque will accommodate up to 1,000 worshippers and harmonise Islamic tradition with modern architectural expression.

Positioned along the island’s central spine, the mosque reinforces Nakheel’s vision for community-centred destinations that foster connection and belonging. SOM’s design reinterprets classical Islamic forms through a contemporary lens, featuring a cascading, textile-inspired canopy that extends from the roof to the courtyard, offering shade and visual continuity with the coastal landscape.

The interiors prioritise calm, clarity and inclusivity, with landscaped walkways, generous ablution spaces and softly diffused natural light creating a tranquil, contemplative environment. Standing at 40 metres, the minaret will serve as a symbolic beacon of faith and unity, its geometric composition reflecting both Islamic art and SOM’s design philosophy.

Khalid Al Malik, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Holding Real Estate, said “The Palm Jebel Ali Friday Mosque reflects our commitment to building communities that enrich lives and foster belonging. Designed as an architectural icon and a place of worship and peace, it will serve the island’s residents and visitors while standing as a symbol of spiritual harmony and cultural dialogue. Working with SOM enables us to bring forward a design that is both contemporary and timeless, aligning with our broader vision for Dubai’s continued growth and prosperity.”

Chris Cooper, Partner at SOM, also commented “SOM’s design for the Palm Jebel Ali Friday Mosque reinterprets Emirati vernacular architecture for a new generation. Inspired by the island’s coastal landscape, the design celebrates the interplay of geometry, light and material through a sweeping woven canopy that filters sunlight and draws the sea breeze into the heart of the mosque. The result is a serene yet striking sanctuary, deeply rooted in Emirati tradition while embracing the future – a spiritual anchor that unites faith, community and the natural rhythms of the sea.”

The mosque is part of the wider Palm Jebel Ali masterplan, spanning seven islands with 16 fronds and over 90 kilometres of beachfront, developed under the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan and Dubai Economic Agenda D33.