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Mosque built in memory of doctor killed in RAK crash opens in Uganda this Ramadan
UK-based doctor Sulaymaan Al Majid had travelled to the UAE to visit family when the sightseeing flight went down, killing both him and the pilot
- PUBLISHED: Mon 23 Feb 2026, 1:42 PM
Worshippers gathered on a freshly laid green prayer floor in rural Uganda last week as the first congregational prayers were held inside a newly completed mosque. For villagers in Rutooma, it marked the opening of a long-awaited place of worship. For a family in the UAE, it was the first time they saw the tribute built in their son’s name come to life.
The first of two mosques being built in memory of Dr Sulaymaan Al Majid — the 26-year-old UK-based doctor who died in a light aircraft crash off the coast of Ras Al Khaimah on December 26, 2024 — has now opened and is hosting prayers during Ramadan.
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Sulaymaan, a clinical fellow at County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, had travelled to the UAE to visit family when the sightseeing flight went down, killing both him and the pilot.
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In the months following the crash, friends, colleagues and worshippers across the UK launched a charity campaign through One Nation, a UK-based humanitarian organisation, to build a mosque in his memory as sadaqah jariyah — an ongoing form of charity. The response exceeded expectations, raising enough to construct two mosques in Uganda instead of one.
His father, Majid Mukarram, told Khaleej Times that construction of both mosques began at the same time. The first, in Rutooma Village in Kamwenge District, was completed just before Ramadan and has now opened to the community. The second is expected to open later this month.
“Alhamdulillah, the first masjid was completed just before Ramadan and people are now offering their prayers there,” Mukarram said. “Both projects started together, but this one finished first. The second, InshaAllah, will open later this Ramadan.”
The mosque has been named Masjid Sulaymaan Al Majid in his memory.
'We hope it inspires others'
One Nation said that before construction began, residents of Rutooma had no nearby mosque and were required to travel long distances for prayers, making attendance difficult for women, children and the elderly. Poor roads and limited transport further restricted access, especially during bad weather.
“Seeing the first prayers there was very meaningful for us,” Mukarram added. “We hope the mosque continues to benefit the community and stands as ongoing charity for Sulaymaan and for everyone who supported the project.”
Muhammad Al Majid, Sulaymaan’s younger brother and a fourth-year MBBS student at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) in Preston, said the mosque reflects the values his brother stood for. “This mosque represents the kind of impact he wanted to have,” he said. “We hope it inspires others and reminds people that good character and service to others matter.”
The mosque can accommodate more than 120 worshippers and includes solar-powered lighting, a dedicated Quran shelf, and a rainwater harvesting system. Images shared by the family show men and children gathered inside the simple green-and-white structure during one of its first prayer congregations.
Who was Sulaymaan Al Majid?
Sulaymaan, who was born and raised in the UAE, was widely respected within the UK medical community. During his time at the University of Central Lancashire, he served as president of the School of Medicine and helped establish regular Friday prayers on campus. He later became honorary secretary and co-chair of the Northern Resident Doctors Committee of the British Medical Association, advocating for improved recognition and wellbeing for NHS trainees.
Posters bearing his name and a QR code were displayed in mosques across the UK, urging worshippers to honour his legacy through sadaqah jariyah.
With Ramadan under way, the family says knowing that prayers are now being offered inside Masjid Sulaymaan Al Majid carries special meaning.
Mazhar Farooqui, or Maz, is a multiple award-winning investigative journalist and Senior Editor at Khaleej Times. Renowned for exposing corruption and uncovering major scams, he is also the author of The Maz Files: Scoops, Scams & Showdowns.