His Majesty King Hamad last night announced the funding of a new grand mosque - where Friday prayers will also be held - between Manama and Muharraq.

The announcement came as he hosted an Iftar banquet at Safriya Palace in the presence of Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa and Crown Prince and BDF Commander-in-Chief Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

The Shaikh Hamad Grand Mosque, to be situated between Al Ghous Avenue and Shaikh Isa Causeway, will overlook the sea and accommodate 10,000 male and 2,500 female worshippers.

Its five minarets will symbolise Islam's five pillars and combine traditional and modern architecture. It will comprise a number of buildings, squares, fountains and other facilities.

The mosque will be a landmark in Bahrain's development process and a place for social and cultural interaction, said the King. -TradeArabia News Service