Kazakhstan: UAE Minister of Justice Inaugurates Khalifa Mosque

Shymkent, Kazakhstan, June 3, 2013 (WAM) - : Dr. Hadef bin Jouan Al Dhaheri, UAE Minister of Justice, has inaugurated the new Sheikh Khalifa Mosque in Shymkent, Kazakhstan. The Mosque was funded by President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and constructed through Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation (KF). The construction comes as a part of a number of Emirati projects in Shymkent, valued at Dh 200 million. The Minister of Justice affirmed, in a speech given at the ceremony yesterday, that the United Arab Emirates, under the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has always extended a helping hand to all those in need whether inside the UAE or abroad. This aid reaches nations struck by natural disasters, armed conflicts, and those countries striving to develop their economy and meet their people's needs. This has always been the UAE's humanitarian stance since its foundation, with all countries, regardless of gender, creed or race. The Minister stated that the Mosque was built on an area of eight thousand square metres and also has a prayer space for women with an area of 270 sq.m. Construction took three years, and cost approximately Dh 45 million. A high-level delegation from the UAE was in attendance, including Dr. Hamdan bin Musallam Al-Mazrouei, Chairman of General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments, Suhail Mattar Al Ketbi, UAE Ambassador to Kazakhstan, and Mohammed Hajji Al Khouri, Director General of the Khalifa Foundation. Also present at the ceremony was Eskar Mosinov, Kazakh Ambassador to the UAE, along with a number of Kazakhstani and Emirati officials. Dr. Hadef bin Jouan Al Dhaheri also announced the completion of another Khalifa Foundation humanitarian project under the funding of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, with the establishment of the Sheikh Khalifa Hospital in Shymkent, at a cost of over Dh110 million. Dr. Al Dhaheri stated that the hospital is the biggest specialised maternity project in Kazakhstan, to provide healthcare to mothers and children. It includes 12 intensive care beds, and 8 beds for newborns. The Khalifa Foundation also provided funding to fully equip the hospital with the latest medical tools and facilities, in a move that aims to increase health services provided to mothers, babies and children as well as lowering the costs for poor families. – Emirates News Agency, WAM