Sharjah Deputy Ruler Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Visits Egypt’s Islamic Cultural Centre in New Administrative Capital

Cairo, The Gulf Observer: H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, on Sunday visited the Islamic Cultural Centre in Egypt’s New Administrative Capital, one of the most prominent religious and cultural landmarks in the region, covering an area of 467,000 square meters.

Upon his arrival, H.H. Sheikh Sultan was warmly received by Dr. Osama Al-Azhari, Egyptian Minister of Awqaf; Counselor Adnan Fanjari, Egyptian Minister of Justice; and Eng. Khaled Abbas, Chairman of the Administrative Capital for Urban Development.

Expressing his gratitude for the warm welcome, H.H. Sheikh Sultan praised the centre’s pioneering role in promoting Islamic values, noting that its services reflect Egypt’s dedication to Islamic culture and its leading position in strengthening the status of the faith regionally and internationally. He highlighted the centre’s unique architecture, which blends Islamic heritage with modern creativity, and commended its comprehensive facilities that support religious, cultural, and educational activities.

During the visit, Sheikh Sultan toured several key landmarks within the centre. He stopped at an observation deck overlooking the Government District, which offers views of the Presidential Palace and legislative and executive buildings. He also visited the House of the Quran, located beneath the mosque’s plaza, where he learned about its Readers’ Room featuring artifacts from Egypt’s most revered Quranic reciters. The House of the Quran contains 30 halls, each dedicated to a specific part of the Holy Quran, engraved on the walls and equipped with audio recitations for memorisation.

The tour concluded at the Grand Mosque of Egypt, the largest mosque in the country and the third largest in the world, with capacity for 137,000 worshippers. The mosque features two minarets each 148 meters tall, a massive central dome weighing 500 tonnes, and the world’s largest wooden minbar, certified by Guinness World Records.

H.H. Sheikh Sultan expressed admiration for Egypt’s efforts in building such a monumental centre that reinforces the civilisational and cultural role of Islam.