A Christian businessman from India built a mosque costing Dh1.3 million (US$350,000) as a gift for Muslim workers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) this Ramadan.
Saji Cheriyan, who came to the UAE in 2003, said that he decided to build it for the workers after he saw them taking taxis to pray at the nearest mosque.
"They have to spend at least Dh20 to go to Fujairah city or another industrial area to attend the Juma prayer in a mosque. So, I thought it will make them happy if I build a mosque here next to their accommodation," the businessman said, according to Gulf News.
The mosque was built in the East Ville Real Estate complex in Al Hayl Industrial Area, near the worker accommodation he was renting out to 53 companies in Fujairah.
Cheriyan said that people had offered to donate money and construction materials for the mosque after they heard about his efforts, but he refused because he said that he would like to pay for the building from his own pocket.
The mosque, which began construction over a year ago, will be named Mariam, Umm Eisa (Mary, the Mother of Jesus).
Gulf News reported that plans are underway to invite prominent personalities to the inauguration of the new place of worship.
The new building will be able to accommodate 250 worshippers at a time. Another 700 people will be able to pray on an interlocked courtyard, which will be shaded by the time the mosque opens.
Cheriyan, who was born an orthodox Christian, had previously built a church in Dibba and has opened up a multipurpose hall for Christians of various denominations in the East Ville complex.
"I have grown up seeing communities living together in utmost harmony. We celebrate all religions' festivals and I don't judge or treat people based on religion, caste, colour or nationality. The UAE is another example of communal harmony and tolerance," Cheriyan said, according to Gulf News.
The businessman said that he took a big risk when he bought the plot of land in the Al Hayl Industrial Area in 2013 because his previous business had just failed at the time.
"I was Dh16 million in debt. Some 450 cheques had bounced. But I did not run away. I fought back and worked harder," he recalled, as reported by Gulf News.
Cheriyan said that he bought construction materials on an installment basis to build a 70-room worker accommodation on the complex. By the time the construction was completed, a client offered one million dirhams (US$270,000) as rent payment.
The Christian businessman, who now owns Dh68 million (US$18.51 million) worth of assets, credited his success to his wife, Elsy, who assists him in his business.
