SOM Unveils Contemporary Friday Mosque for Palm Jebel Ali in Dubai

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill has revealed its design for the Palm Jebel Ali Friday Mosque, planned as the main place of worship and a civic anchor for the new residential district taking shape off Dubai’s coast. The mosque will accommodate up to 1,000 worshippers and brings together established Islamic architectural principles with a contemporary design language.

Positioned along the island’s central spine, the mosque anchors the vision of community-centred destinations. Its design reinterprets classic Islamic forms through a contemporary lens, most notably in the cascading chainmail canopy that extends from the roof over the courtyard. This provides shade while connecting the building visually to the surrounding landscape.

The interior and exterior are conceived for calmness and inclusivity. Clear pathways, landscaped walkways, and generous ablution areas guide visitors through a reflective sequence of spaces. Natural light is filtered through the canopy, softening the interiors and enhancing a sense of serenity. The mosque is designed not only as a place of worship but as an environment that encourages quiet contemplation and communal engagement.

Standing 40 metres tall, the minaret is a landmark across Palm Jebel Ali, a symbolic beacon of faith and unity. Its geometric composition reflects the harmony of Islamic art while translating traditional motifs into a modern architectural vocabulary.

The design reinterprets Emirati vernacular architecture for a new generation. Inspired by the island’s coastal landscape, it celebrates the interplay of geometry, light, and material through the woven canopy that filters sunlight and draws the sea breeze into the heart of the mosque. The result is a serene and striking sanctuary rooted in tradition while embracing the future, uniting faith, community, and the rhythms of the sea.