QU CENG hosts ceremony to launch Abdullatif Al Fozan Award for Mosque Architecture

Qatar University College of Engineering (QU-CENG) hosted a ceremony on November 9 to launch the competition on the “Abdullatif Al Fozan Award for Mosque Architecture”.

Attending the ceremony were CENG dean Dr Rashid Alammari, CENG Department of Architecture and Urban Planning (DAUP) head Dr Yasser Mahjoub, DAUP associate professor of Architecture and Abdullatif Al Fozan Award representative in Qatar Dr Hatem Galal Ibrahim, Abdullatif Al Fozan Award secretary-general Dr Ibrahim bin Mubarak Alnaimi, Al Fozan Social Foundation secretary-general Dr Saleh bin Ahmed Al-Qome, University of Dammam Vice President for Studies, Development and Community Services Dr Abdullah bin Hussein Alkadi, and Al Fozan Foundation architect Mr Mohamed Islam Elghoneimy, as well as CENG faculty staff, and DAUP students. 

The event program included a presentation delivered by Dr Ibrahim bin Mubarak Alnaimi, who outlined  the award conditions, rules and guidelines. He noted that the Award raises awareness on contemporary architecture of mosques in the Gulf region with a focus on best practice in their design, construction and maintenance. Commenting on the event, Dr Alammari said: “Mosque as a building is at the core of Islamic architecture, and one of the main research topics that our researchers have been exploring for years. We encourage all architects and engineering consultancy companies involved in mosque construction to participate in this contest, which contributes to highlighting the most innovative architectural styles in Qatar and the region.”

Dr Ibrahim said: “Qatar University is one of the regional universities which incubate global and regional initiatives to achieve the consolidation of Islamic architecture in the GCC region. In parallel with this, the objective of the Award is to document and disseminate diverse and ambitious ideas of mosques with significant architectural designs in harmony with national and regional values.” Nominated entries will be assessed by an independent jury through various criteria such as architectural structure, use of space, technology, sense of spirituality, fulfilment of prayer requirements, and integration of the building into its local environment.