Dubai's Quran theme park delayed to 2015

Plans to open a Quran theme park in Dubai have been delayed by a year with officials saying it will now open in September 2015.

Hussain Nasser Lootah, director general of Dubai Municipality, said on Sunday he had called on all parties involved in the $7m project in Al Khawaneej to "speed up the works".

He said the General Projects Department of Dubai Municipality has started work on the third stage of the Holy Quran Park which is expected to be completed by September 2015. Last year it was announced that the park was due to open in September this year.

In a new statement, Lootah said: "Holy Quran Park is one of the prestigious projects of the civic body and not only the UAE, but also the entire tourist world is waiting to visit the park without patience."

"The first stage of levelling was done using the construction wastes and other reusable waste materials saving AED12m of the cost. In the second stage, planting of 32 hectares and other facilities have been finished.

"The park located in Al Khawaneej area has been specially designed in the Islamic perspective to introduce the miracles of Quran through a variety of surprises for the visitors," he added.

Mohamed Noor Mashroom, director of General Projects Department said the 64-hectare park will include all available plants mentioned in the Quran along with facilities such as an Islamic garden, children's play areas, Umrah corner, a theatre, fountains, desert garden, palm oasis, lake, walking, running and cycling tracks.