Dubai: A campaign has been launched to construct a new mosque in Dubai in honour of Daria Kotsarenko, a Ukrainian expat who recently passed away shortly after converting to Islam. Dar Al Ber Society, the organization overseeing the project, aims to commemorate her legacy by building a mosque bearing her name.
Daria's journey to Islam began at the Islamic Information Centre in Dubai, where she embraced the religion and received her conversion certificate on March 25. Tragically, she passed away due to a heart attack, leaving behind no immediate family in the UAE.
The mosque will be built on an 812 square meter plot in Dubai, with a floor area of 613 square meters. The prayer hall for men on the ground floor will accommodate 208 worshippers, while the women's prayer hall on the first floor will also have ablution rooms. Additionally, the mosque will feature a 170-square-meter imam's residence and a men's ablution room, with a minaret reaching a height of 33 meters.
To fund the construction of the mosque, a special link has been created to collect donations. Approximately 13 per cent of the required Dh4 million construction budget has been collected as of now.
Despite her lack of close relatives in the UAE, Daria's funeral was attended by hundreds of people, both Emiratis and expats, highlighting the impact she had on the community. Daria's genuine curiosity about the local culture and religion endeared her to many. Her exploration led her to embrace Islam, a decision that has now inspired the construction of a mosque that will stand as a testament to her faith and the unity of the community.
The mosque to be built in honour of Daria Kotsarenko represents a symbol of community solidarity and piety. It serves as a reminder of her journey to Islam and the impact she had on those around her. Through this initiative, her memory will be forever cherished.