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Pioneering 3D-Printed Mosque Unveiled In Jeddah
The Abdulaziz Abdullah Sharbatly mosque is constructed using cutting-edge technology and symbolizes Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.
Although readers might be led to believe that 3D-printed architecture is a new concept, the technique actually traces its origins back over 80 years of theoretical design and 40 years of practical application. Initially employed for constructing cement-based structures, 3D printing has streamlined the process of laying down foundational bases for buildings from China to Europe and now to the Middle East.
Situated in Jeddah’s Al-Jawhara suburb, the 5,600-square-meter Abdulaziz Abdullah Sharbatly mosque is the first in the world to be created using 3D printing. Employing technology from renowned Chinese manufacturer Guanli, the religious building was commissioned by Saudi entrepreneur Wajnat Abdulwahed in memory of her late husband.
🎥| افتتاح أول جامع في العالم يُبنى بتقنية الطباعة ثلاثية الأبعاد بجدة في #ضاحية_الجوهرة إحدى ضواحي #الوطنية_للإسكان باسم جامع السيد/ عبدالعزيز عبدالله شربتلي رحمه الله، على مساحة 5600 م2، كإهداء من زوجته @W_Abdulwahed رئيسة مجلس إدارة منظومة فرسان العقارية المنفّذة للمشروع. pic.twitter.com/WyEHpBX2wD
— عدّاد جدة (@3adad) March 7, 2024
Built by Forsan Real Estate under Abdulwahed’s direction, the mosque is part of the National Housing Co.’s portfolio and was opened to the public amidst a gathering of Saudi business leaders and senior government officials.
The Abdulaziz Abdullah Sharbatly project aims to introduce modern built-environment technologies to Saudi Arabia, positioning the nation as an early adopter. Utilizing a 3D scanner and specialized Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software, Guanli employed additive manufacturing to construct successive layers, significantly reducing material wastage compared to conventional techniques.
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During an interview with Arab News, Abdulwahed explained that the “design concept of the mosque was based on fostering a sense of tranquility among worshippers through the principle of gracious hospitality. The mosque’s design was centered within a circle that can be easily oriented towards the qibla. Attention was paid to the building’s mass and its relationship with natural light, the design of entrances and gates, and the exterior facades to reflect the architectural identity”.
The white facade of the mosque is flagged by distinctive towering minarets and complimented by an open-air outdoor courtyard, which allows a greater number of worshippers inside during busy times such as Friday prayers, taraweeh prayers in Ramadan, and Eid.
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UAE Prepares To Launch Two Satellites: Thuraya-2 And MBZ-SAT
HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum chaired the first meeting of the Supreme Space Council yesterday.
HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE, chaired the first meeting of the Supreme Space Council in Dubai on December 16, 2024. The session highlighted the UAE’s ambitious space plans and took stock of the sector’s economic progress.
The council emphasized the growing role of private companies in advancing space technologies, noting that their contributions are now equal to that of the public sector. Members also praised initiatives like the Space Economic Zones Programme, which are designed to fuel innovation and investment in the space industry.
خلال ترؤسنا الاجتماع الأول للمجلس الأعلى للفضاء، بحثنا الاستثمارات الوطنية والمشاريع المقبلة في قطاع الفضاء والذي يشهد تطوراً مستمراً… وجددنا التزامنا بدعم ومواصلة تنفيذ برامج طموحة لاستكشاف الفضاء الخارجي حيث وصل حجم الاستثمارات في هذا القطاع إلى 40 مليار درهم خلال السنوات… pic.twitter.com/etJ33OnuSu
— Hamdan bin Mohammed (@HamdanMohammed) December 16, 2024
Discussing the UAE’s space journey, HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum remarked, “The national space sector continues to grow and advance, and we take immense pride in the remarkable achievements we have accomplished over the years”.
Sheikh Hamdan also received updates on two upcoming satellite projects: Thuraya-2 and MBZ-SAT. Thuraya-2, developed by Space42, is slated for launch this December. Meanwhile, the MBZ-SAT, created by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), will soon follow. MBRSC, a major driver of the UAE National Space Programme, continues to lead the nation’s space-related developments.
Space42 took the opportunity to showcase its advancements, including ongoing collaborations between public and private entities. The company also outlined strategies to promote innovation, boost revenue streams, and create new opportunities for growth in the sector.
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The UAE’s current projects build on a growing legacy of space exploration. Back in 2020, the nation made headlines with its Mars mission, successfully sending a probe into the planet’s orbit in 2021. This mission, which is now in its second phase as of June 2024, has been collecting critical data to develop a comprehensive diurnal image of Mars.
The UAE also ventured into lunar exploration with an unmanned mission aimed at studying untouched regions of the Moon’s surface. While the probe ultimately crashed during its landing attempt after communication was lost seconds before touchdown, the effort represented a significant step in the country’s exploration ambitions.