Sheikh Zayed Mosque In NDjamena To Enrich Cultural Dialogue
The foundation stone has been laid for Sheikh Zayed Mosque and Cultural Centre in N’Djamena, marking a new UAE-backed development in Chad’s capital. The project combines religious, educational, and cultural facilities, designed to serve local communities, support learning, and encourage structured cultural exchange between Emirati and Chadian institutions over the coming years.
The Sheikh Zayed Mosque is being constructed on a site of about 5,000 square metres and is planned to host 10,000 worshippers. Space will be divided between 5,000 worshippers inside the main building and 5,000 in external areas. The design also includes a public library and a religious school dedicated to teaching the Holy Quran and Islamic studies.
The Cultural Centre will occupy a separate 2,000 square metre plot beside the mosque complex. It will contain 16 classrooms, administrative offices, and multipurpose halls intended for lectures, workshops, and other cultural programmes. A library will support study and research activities, while scheduled events will include Iftar programmes, sacrificial meat distribution, and joint Emirati–Chadian cultural initiatives.
{TABLE_1}The construction of the mosque and centre follows an April 2025 agreement between the UAE and Chad. Implementation is being managed by the UAE Aid Agency, working with Chad’s Ministry of Finance, Budget, Economy, Planning, and International Cooperation. The initiative is based on directives from President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and follow-up by His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
The stone-laying ceremony brought together Emirati and Chadian representatives. Attendees included Rashid Saeed Al Shamsi, Ambassador of the UAE to Chad, and Eid Saeed Al Ketbi, Director of the UAE Aid Coordination Office in Chad. Senior Chadian officials present included Dr. Khater Issa, Khater Arja, and Ahmadou Ibrahim Ahmad, reflecting institutional support for the development.
Rashid Saeed Al Shamsi stated that the project sits within a broader UAE approach to humanitarian work rooted in the legacy of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. "This reflects the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to implement diverse development projects across social, economic, cultural, and infrastructure sectors, in alignment with local needs and the priorities of the Sustainable Development Goals," he added.
Dr. Tareq Ahmed Al Ameri, Chairman of the UAE Aid Agency, linked the project to wider international development efforts under UAE guidance. "The construction of Sheikh Zayed Mosque and the Cultural Centre in N’Djamena reflects the UAE’s generous approach to development and service of humanity at large and is done under the supervision of H.H. Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Martyrs’ Families Affairs, and Chairman of the International Humanitarian and Philanthropic Council. The project aims to meet the needs of people, develop communities, and enrich civilizational and cultural dialogue and knowledge exchange."
Planned activities at the Cultural Centre are expected to support both religious and social programmes, including training courses for different community groups. For stakeholders in the UAE and Chad, the combined mosque and centre are intended as a long-term platform for education, community support, and structured dialogue aligned with national development goals and international sustainability agendas.
With inputs from WAM
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