Burhani Masjid Sharjah: Location, History, Architecture & Visitor Guide

The Burhani Masjid Sharjah is a famous mosque and community center of the Dawoodi Bohra community in Al Manakh, Sharjah. In 2003, the mosque was first opened by Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin, and then in February 2020, it was expanded by Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin. It is also famous for its beautiful Fatimi architectural style, which was influenced by the historic mosques in Cairo, such as al-Jami al-Anwar and al-Aqmar. The mosque is currently used for daily prayers, Quran recitations, religious education, and community meetings. It is a remarkable mosque in Sharjah due to its history, unique design, and its role in the local Dawoodi Bohra community. 

Quick Facts About Burhani Masjid Sharjah

According to the official Dawoodi Bohra community, the mosque is the centre of religious activities of the Dawoodi Bohra community in Sharjah. The 2020 expansion and capacity of over 4,000 worshippers were independently reported by Gulf News. 

Where Is Burhani Masjid Sharjah?

Burhani Masjid is situated in the old town of Sharjah, Al Manakh. There is an ongoing debate among the Dawoodi Bohra community over the exact location of the mosque, as they refer to Al Manakh, and a current listing of maps that places it near Etisalat, and a street location listing referring to Ayman Bin Khuraim Street. 

This makes the mosque easily recognisable for travellers who are travelling through central Sharjah. In the vicinity, there is Al Manakh Park, Sharjah Stadium, and Al Noor Mosque. 

The navigation is better if you search for the exact name “Burhani Masjid Sharjah” in a current mapping application than just by a written address. Some directories have various versions of the address, and the official community source is always Al Manakh. 

Is Burhani Masjid in Sharjah or Dubai?

Visitors should note that the Dawoodi Bohra community has another Burhani Masjid in Dubai.

Al Manakh, Sharjah, is home to the Sharjah mosque. The Dubai Burhani Masjid is in Al Qusais and was inaugurated in 2004. These two mosques are therefore not to be considered as the same location. 

It’s helpful to add “Sharjah” to the search when you are looking for directions, as this eliminates the chance of being confused with Burhani Masjid Al Qusais, Dubai.

History of Burhani Masjid Sharjah

The mosque’s history is interwoven with the growth of the Dawoodi Bohra community in the emirate. 

Dawoodi Bohra community has been residing in Sharjah for many decades. The community itself has its own history that traces its early settlement and the growth of its commercial and professional interests with the passage of time. A community centre was earlier set up in the Maysaloon area before the building of the mosque. 

In 2003, the original mosque was opened by Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin. The land for the mosque was donated by the Ruler of Sharjah, Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, to Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin. 

With the development of the local population, the local mosque had to expand its space. The land next to it was donated for expansion, enabling the mosque complex to meet the needs of a larger community and a greater number of worshippers. 

The expanded mosque was inaugurated by Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin in February 2020. The new facility could hold over 4,000 Muslims in worship, reported Gulf News. 

This growth is more than just a physical one, however. It symbolises the ongoing growth of the Dawoodi Bohra community in Sharjah and the requirement for religious and community facilities to cater for a growing community.

Burhani Masjid and the Dawoodi Bohra Community

The mosque has a function that is greater than just for prayers.

According to the official Dawoodi Bohra community, the Burhani Masjid is used for religious and educational purposes, and various facilities and activities are conducted in connection with congregational prayer, recital of the Quran, and gatherings of the community and social initiatives. 

The wider role is important as a Dawoodi Bohra masjid, by tradition, is integrated within a broader community network. The mosque complex can serve as a link between religious devotion, education, and social interaction and community activities.

The Dawoodi Bohra community’s recent profile of the region estimates the population of the Sharjah community to be over 4,000. 

The mosque has also hosted important religious gatherings. For instance, in 2021, Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin gave a lecture at Masjid al-Fatimeen al-Bohra in Sharjah. The mosque in question is the newly expanded mosque that was opened during his visit in 2020, as identified by Gulf News. 

In June 2025, more recently, Khaleej Times reported that Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin visited the UAE and met with the members of the community at Burhani Masjid, Sharjah. 

The events highlight the ongoing significance of the mosque in the Dawoodi Bohra community of the region.

Fatimi Architecture of Burhani Masjid Sharjah

One of the most distinctive aspects of the mosque is its architectural connection with the Fatimi tradition. 

According to the official Dawoodi Bohra community, the mosque is patterned on two of Cairo historic mosques, al-Jami al-Aqmar and al-Jami al-Anwar. 

Gulf News also quoted the fact that the design of the mosque’s facades and arcades was based on the architectural design of Masjid al-Anwar at Bab al-Futuh and al-Aqmar Mosque in Cairo. 

The association is significant as the heritage of Fatimi architecture has been an important part of the modern architectural identity of the Dawoodi Bohra community.

What Is Fatimi Architecture?

Fatimi architecture is the architecture of the Fatimid period, when the Fatimids ruled Egypt and other parts of the Islamic world from the 10th to 12th centuries.

Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin became associated with the preservation and revival of Fatimi architectural heritage, especially for the Dawoodi Bohra community. The community attributes his work to a lot of effort in restoring historic monuments, particularly the Al-Jami al-Anwar in Cairo. 

Burhani Masjid Sharjah is thus part of a much larger architectural tradition, rather than a standout, modern design.

The visual language of its design links the mosque to historic Cairo, and situates that architectural legacy in a modern community environment in Sharjah.

What Is the Significance of Al-Jami al-Anwar?

Al-Jami al-Anwar, or the Mosque of al-Hakim, is one of the great historic Fatimi mosques of Cairo.

Restoration of the Dawoodi Bohra community is one of the most prominent architectural works of Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin’s time. The community’s history says that, following extensive research and reconstruction, the restoration work was finished in 1980. 

This history is the reason for the presence of Fatimi architectural references in Dawoodi Bohra mosques across the globe, such as Sharjah’s mosque.

It is in this way an architectural and historical link, as the design evokes a significant moment in the history of Islamic architecture and it expresses the community’s desire to maintain this heritage.

Expansion of Burhani Masjid in 2020

The expansion was one of the most significant events in the history of the mosque.

Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin inaugurated the newly expanded Masjid al-Fatimeen al-Bohra located in Al Manakh, Sharjah, on 16 February 2020. The enhanced mosque will be able to accommodate over 4,000 worshippers, writes Gulf News. 

The project was carried out due to the increasing number of Dawoodi Bohra followers in the Emirate of Sharjah and the necessity of a new mosque. The extension added to the mosque, but preserved its Fatimi style. 

The official community account also states that the mosque was extended in February 2020 and that it was opened by Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin during his visit. 

This leads to a mosque building complex that could serve the practice of worship and the life of the community at a much greater scale.

Prayer, Religious Education and Community Activities

The main purpose of Burhani Masjid Sharjah is for religious practices.

For the mosque, the official community profile mentions explicitly that among its functions is congregational prayer and Quran recitation. It also refers to the complex as providing educational, community, and social activities. 

In the context of the mosque, activities can include:

• Prayers and religious worship in the Congregation
• Quran recitation and religious education are taught.
• Social activities and community meetings.

The significance of the mosque is evident during major religious occasions where members of the community come together for worship, learning, and community activities.

Please note that prayer and religious programme timings, as well as community events, may vary as per the Islamic calendar and local arrangements.

Burhani Masjid Sharjah Opening Hours and Prayer Times

No official opening hours are to be taken as a given, as there is varying information about them on the internet.

For instance, one directory has split times from day to night, and the other has longer hours overall. They do not match, and the official Dawoodi Bohra community page doesn’t have a set of hours for visitors. 

I cannot vouch for an up-to-date official opening hours’ notice or a set daily prayer schedule from a reliable source.

Therefore, it is advisable for anyone who is travelling in a particular direction for prayer, a religious programme or a community event to enquire about the current programme and time of the event from the local Dawoodi Bohra community before travelling.

This is especially significant during Ramadan, Muharram, Eid and other important religious times as the timing and access to these events may vary from normal days.

How to Reach 

The mosque is located in the Al Manakh area near the Etisalat area. The map data also shows it on or around Ayman Bin Khuraim Street. 

To use the simplest navigation:

• Use the phrase “Burhani Masjid Sharjah” when searching for Burhani Masjid.
• Reconfirm the destination: Al Manakh, Sharjah.
• Review the roadway before traveling since it may be subject to change in road conditions and/or navigation information.

It is also close to Al Manakh Park, and according to the map data, it is also close to Sharjah Stadium, Al Noor Mosque, etc. 

What Should Visitors Know Before Going?

Burhani Masjid is not just a tourist spot, but a place of worship. It is therefore advisable that visitors to the mosque come with the proper respect for religious practice and the mosque congregation.

Appropriate attire, quiet demeanor within the facility, and adherence to any directions given by mosque/community officials.

If you visit for a specific religious event, it is best to check the open or closed nature of the event as well as any requirements for it. Specific facilities for visitors or public tours for the habitat are not well documented from the sources reviewed as authoritative for this guide.

Nearby Places to Burhani Masjid Sharjah

 The mosque is situated in Al Manakh, a well-established locality in Sharjah where there are several popular localities around. These sites help to give the visitor an idea of the area surrounding the mosque, and can aid in navigation.

Al Manakh Park

Nearby to the mosque is located an Al Manakh Park, which is a landmark for people passing through. This green space can facilitate the recognition of the general area from which one makes the journey to the mosque. 

Sharjah Stadium

The distance between Sharjah Stadium and the mosque is about 3 kilometres. It is a well-known landmark in the area, and it is also useful for visitors to use to verify the directions when they go to the mosque. 

Al Noor Mosque

The distance from the mosque to Al Noor Mosque is approximately 2.5 kilometres (km.). It is another popular mosque and landmark in the waterfront area of Sharjah.

Why Burhani Masjid Sharjah Is Important

These factors have made the mosque so important: firstly, its religious significance, secondly, its community value, thirdly, its historical character, and fourthly, its unique Fatima-inspired architecture. 

It is first of all a religious hub for the Dawoodi Bohra community in Sharjah. Second, its history shows the expansion of that community, its presence at a more local level, until it became a large community of its own. Thirdly, its architecture is designed to maintain links with Cairo  Fatimi heritage. 

The mosque is also a reflection of the link between religion and the development of the community. The 2020 expansion was a response to the need for additional capacity and community facilities, but was not just an architectural project.

The fact that the building is still being used for religious sermons and community meetings shows it is still playing a role in Dawoodi Bohra life in the UAE. 

Conclusion

Burhani Masjid Sharjah is an important Dawoodi Bohra mosque in Al Manakh whose history, role within the community, and architectural style are highly characteristic of Fatima and are inspired by historic mosques in Cairo such as al-Jami al-Anwar and al-Aqmar. The mosque was opened in 2003 by Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin and was expanded in February 2020 by Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin to meet the needs of the increasing number of worshippers who can come to pray in the mosque. It is still used today for congregational prayers, Quran recitations, religious education and gatherings of the community and is a significant religious and cultural landmark in Sharjah. 

Must Read: Rolla Square Park Sharjah: Entry Fee, Timings, Attractions & More
Muwaileh Park: Location, Timings, Entry Fee, Facilities & Visitor Guide
Al Qasimia Sharjah: Location, Apartments, Transport & Local Amenities 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Where is Burhani Masjid Sharjah located?

Burhani Masjid Sharjah is situated in Al Manakh, Sharjah, UAE, in the vicinity of the Etisalat area. The street location of Ayman Bin Khuraim Street is identified in the current map information.

When was Burhani Masjid Sharjah built?

The mosque was originally opened by the 52nd al-Dai al-Mutlaq of the Dawoodi Bohra community, Syedna Mohammed Burhanudd, in 2003. This was later extended in 2020 to accommodate worshippers.

What is another name for the mosque?

The mosque is also referred to as Masjid al-Fatimeen al-Bohra. This is the name found in sources relating to the mosque and its expansion in 2020.

Who inaugurated the mosque in Sharjah?

The original mosque was inaugurated by Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin in 2003. In February 2020, the complex was inaugurated by Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin.

How many people can the mosque accommodate?

The mosque, which was expanded in 2020, was said to accommodate over 4,000 worshippers.

What architectural style does the mosque have?

The architectural style of the mosque is Fatimi and is similar to the mosques of Cairo, such as al-Aqmar and al-Jami al-Anwar.

Is Burhani Masjid Sharjah a Dawoodi Bohra mosque?

Yes. Burhani Masjid Sharjah is an important religious and community centre for the Dawoodi Bohra community of Sharjah. It aids in the delivery of prayers, recitation of the Quran, learning the religion, and community services.

Is the Sharjah mosque the same as Burhani Masjid Al Qusais Dubai?

No. They are independent mosques. Sharjah mosque is in Al Manakh, Sharjah, and the Burhani Mosque Al Qusais is in Dubai.

Are prayer times available online?

There are some third-party websites that give timings or hours of opening, but I don’t know of an official prayer timetable at this time. The best thing to do is to check the up-to-date schedules before heading out.

Can tourists visit the mosque?

The mosque is used as a community centre. I can’t say that there is an official tourist or public tour policy right now. Before visiting for sightseeing, visitors are required to obtain permission from the local Dawoodi Bohra community.