UAE: Two young UAE based innovators, Zahi Najmal and Ezzah Najmal, have been named semifinalists in UAE’s Top Young Innovators 2025-26, a national platform that gives creators aged 10 to 22 the opportunity to showcase real world solutions on a global stage. Their project, Muttasil, was selected for its approach to modernizing how communities connect with mosques across the UAE.
What Is Muttasil?
Muttasil, Arabic for “Connected,” carries the tagline “Connected Mosques, Effortless Prayer.” The initiative addresses a problem familiar to worshippers, travelers, and new residents alike: mosque information such as exact locations, prayer timings, and facility details is often scattered, outdated, or simply unavailable online.
Muttasil brings this information together in one place, an interactive directory that lets users explore nearby mosques, check verified details, and stay informed about facilities and community programs, all through a single platform.
Solving a Real Community Gap
According to Zahi Najmal and Ezzah Najmal, the lack of centralized, verified mosque information, covering everything from facilities like women’s prayer areas and parking to community programs and Friday sermon announcements, creates a disconnect between mosques and the people they serve. Muttasil positions itself as the bridge, aiming to keep mosques accessible, informative, and, in the duo’s words, “truly muttasil with its people.” The project is also framed around supporting the UAE’s broader digital transformation goals, including Ajman’s Smart City vision.
About Zahi Najmal and Ezzah Najmal
Zahi Najmal is based in the UAE. Zahi Najmal is a young innovator and student at Habitat School Al Jurf, Ajman, recognized for building platforms aimed at students and communities. He has represented the UAE at national and international innovation showcases and has taken on leadership roles across several youth led projects, reflecting a consistent focus on using his skills to serve the people around him.
Ezzah Najmal is a Grade 12 student in the UAE who has taken on active roles in youth research and outreach. She currently serves as an NSRI Associate Officer, contributing to global outreach and research partnership efforts, and has built a track record across robotics and innovation competitions, bringing a research minded approach to projects like Muttasil.
Together, the siblings conceived and developed Muttasil as a way to make mosque information more accessible and more useful for the communities that rely on it, reflecting a shared interest in applying innovative thinking to real world civic needs. Their recognition as semifinalists in UAE’s Top Young Innovators 2025-26 marks a shared milestone for both innovators.
Recognition at Top Young Innovators UAE 2025-26
Muttasil’s semifinalist placement puts it among a wide field of UAE based youth projects spanning sustainability, health, and community focused innovation, reflecting the growing number of young UAE innovators applying creative solutions to everyday civic problems. The announcement was shared publicly following the release of the official semifinalist list.
Why It Matters
UAE’s Top Young Innovators continues to serve as a platform for young people to bring forward ideas that address real community needs. Muttasil’s recognition highlights how youth led initiatives are increasingly focused on strengthening the connection between residents and essential community institutions like mosques, in line with the UAE’s wider push toward accessible, community oriented innovation.
GulfInsight360.com will continue to follow the UAE’s Top Young Innovators 2025-26 challenge as it progresses toward the finals.