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Second mosque built in memory of doctor killed in RAK plane crash opens in Uganda
The mosques were funded through a campaign launched by friends, colleagues and worshippers across the UK through the humanitarian organisation One Nation
- PUBLISHED: Sun 8 Mar 2026, 1:04 PM
A second mosque built in memory of a young doctor who died in a light aircraft crash off the coast of Ras Al Khaimah has now opened in rural Uganda, bringing a place of worship to another underserved community during Ramadan.
The mosque, named Masjid Sulaymaan Al Majid, was built through donations raised in the UK after the death of Dr Sulaymaan Al Majid, a 26-year-old clinical fellow with the County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust who died in the December 2024 crash while visiting family in the UAE.
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His father, Majid Mukarram, said the second mosque was completed this week and has already begun hosting prayers during Ramadan.
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“We received videos from the village showing people gathering for prayers,” Mukarram told Khaleej Times. “It was very emotional for the family to see. What began as an effort to build one mosque in Sulaymaan’s memory has now brought two places of worship to communities that did not have easy access before.”
The first mosque, in Rutooma Village in Kamwenge District, opened just before Ramadan and quickly became a focal point for the local Muslim community.
The second mosque has now also been completed nearby, allowing more residents in surrounding villages to attend congregational prayers.
“Alhamdulillah, both mosques are now serving the community,” Mukarram said. “For us, seeing people pray there during Ramadan is the most meaningful part. We hope the masjids continue to benefit people for many years and remain ongoing charity for Sulaymaan and everyone who contributed.”
The mosques were funded through a campaign launched by friends, colleagues and worshippers across the UK through the humanitarian organisation One Nation. The original goal was to build one mosque as sadaqah jariyah, an ongoing form of charity, but donations exceeded expectations, allowing two mosques to be constructed instead.
Before the project, residents in the area had to travel long distances to attend prayers, often along poor rural roads.
Images and videos shared by the family show villagers, including children, gathering inside the simple green-and-white structures for congregational prayers.
Dr Sulaymaan, who was born and raised in the UAE, was widely respected among colleagues in the UK medical community. During his time at the University of Central Lancashire, he served as president of the School of Medicine and helped organise regular Friday prayers on campus.
He later became honorary secretary and co-chair of the Northern Resident Doctors Committee of the British Medical Association, where he advocated for the wellbeing and recognition of NHS trainees.
For the family, seeing both mosques open during Ramadan has brought a sense of comfort amid the loss.
“Sulaymaan believed deeply in service to others,” Mukarram said. “Knowing that people will continue to pray in these mosques long after us is a legacy we are grateful for.”
