News

Visit Iconic Mosques Worldwide With MetaMosque VR

For those with disabilities or economic challenges, visiting the Great Mosque of Mecca is now a real possibility.

Published

10 months ago

April 5, 2024

visit iconic mosques worldwide with metamosque vr

For Muslims worldwide, visiting mosques is of crucial religious and cultural importance. Unfortunately, not everyone shares easy access to a local place of worship, and many Muslims certainly can’t afford a pilgrimage to Al Haram, the Great Mosque of Mecca — even just once in their lifetime. Now, a new virtual reality project is attempting to break down those barriers.

MetaMosque is a virtual app that enables users to experience mosques around the world. Through the platform, Muslims can take part in a spiritual journey to experience the wonder of some of the world’s most significant mosques, fostering a sense of belonging and connection to these vital religious spaces, regardless of circumstances.

Samera Abed, CEO and founder of MetaMosque, devised the project for her 90-year-old mother, who now struggles to attend a mosque by herself.

“So just like how I taught her to use an iPhone, I am teaching her to be part of a community,” Abed explained. “She can go to her childhood mosque whenever she wants”.

Also Read: Yango App Now Alerts Muslim Drivers To Prayer Times

Available on Meta Quest, the MetaMosques immersive experience offers an engaging virtual exploration of prayer halls and a close look at the fine architectural details of some of the world’s most iconic Islamic buildings. After a virtual visit, users are encouraged to share their experiences in online discussions that aim to grow the accompanying MetaMosque community.

“I also know that this will be a great gift for many Muslims in the world who have disabilities or are facing economic challenges,” Abed adds.

MetaMosque currently offers access to ten mosques and a Majlis. The app is available on multiple platforms, including iOS, Android, PC, and Meta Quest, with inbuilt AI that can answer questions on Islamic knowledge and the history of these mosques, along with personalized reminders for upcoming religious events.

News

Daleel Expands To UAE, Tapping Into $44B Finance Market

The Bahrain-based company offers a personalized financial marketplace with regional expansion supported by investors Flat6Labs and Salica.

Published

21 hours ago

January 20, 2025

Nour Nasir

daleel expands to uae tapping into $44 billion finance market

Daleel, a personalized financial marketplace originally founded in Bahrain, has officially entered the UAE market supported by notable investors, including Flat6Labs and Salica. Known for its ability to connect customers with tailored financial products, Daleel has gained significant traction in its home country, and the company is now eying the wider Middle East’s massive personal finance market, valued at an estimated $44.4 billion.

The platform’s UAE debut was hosted at Visa’s CEMEA Market Support Center in Dubai, marking another milestone for Daleel. The company gained regional attention when it clinched first place and $40,000 in funding at the 2023 Visa Everywhere Initiative finals in Saudi Arabia.

daleel expands to uae

Daleel’s expansion is supported by notable investors, including Flat6Labs and Salica. At the launch event, several key figures in the fintech and financial sectors were present, including Daleel’s co-founders, CEO PK Shrivastava and COO Ridaa Shah.

Reflecting on the launch, PK Shrivastava said, “Launching in the UAE is a landmark moment for the company, and we are pleased to do so alongside Visa, who have championed us from the start. There is a real demand across the region for personalized finance, and we believe this is the right time to expand our marketplace to connect more customers with the best financial solutions”.

Also Read: How (And Why) To Start A Tech Business In Dubai

Daleel’s team combines expertise in open banking, finance, and technology, which has enabled the company to refine its platform for the regional market. Their data-driven system is designed to quickly match customers with financial products, ranging from credit cards and mortgages to savings accounts, offering personalized options in seconds. This transparency and efficiency benefit consumers while providing financial institutions with more cost-effective ways to acquire customers and create data-informed products.

Looking ahead, Daleel plans to secure an open finance license in 2025, which will allow even deeper integration with financial institutions. The company’s ultimate goal is to build a financial ecosystem where decisions that used to take weeks can now be made in minutes, empowering users to achieve better financial outcomes.