SHEIKH ZAYED GRAND MOSQUE: AN ARCHITECTURAL MARVEL
The Sheikh Zayed Mosque, rising magnificently from lush gardens and visible from the bridges connecting Abu Dhabi Island to the mainland, is a spectacular welcome to the city. The 82 domes, the sky-piercing minarets, and the acres of white marble make this religious edifice virtually breathtaking.
A masterpiece of modern Islamic architecture and design, the Grand Mosque is rich in history and religion and holds a unique place in the history of architectural wonders.
HISTORY OF SHEIKH ZAYED MOSQUE, ABU DHABI
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque sits majestically at the entrance to the capital of the United Arab Emirates, a testament to its founder’s vision. Easily identifiable by its pure white colour and pristine marble, this marvel of Islamic architecture is a wonder to behold. Conceived by UAE’s founder and first president, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nayhan, the brilliant structure also marks his final resting place since his passing in 2004.
Groundbreaking began in 1996 and it was ultimately completed on 20th December of 2007. The construction of the Grand Mosque began in partnership between two Italian contractors, Impregilo and Rizzani de Eccher with more than 3000 workers and 38 sub-contracting companies. It was completed under a second contract by a partnership between ACC and Six Construct.
By integrating architectural and cultural variety, the Grand Mosque functions as a symbol of celebration between Islamic culture and other world civilizations. Peace, tolerance, and diversity are all part of the Islamic message.
DESIGN AND ARCHITECTURE
While Arabic in appearance and design, Sheikh Zayed Mosque’s architects were British, Italian and Emirati, and design ideas were borrowed from parts of Turkey, Morocco, Pakistan and Egypt, among other countries. The design for the mosque draws on inspiration from the Persian, Mughal and the Alexandrian Mosque of Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi Mosque in Egypt and also that of the Indo-Islamic mosque architecture, particularly the Badshahi Mosque in Lahore of Pakistan. The archways are shaped to fit the classic Moor style and minarets are shaped to fit the classic Arab styles.
The Grand Mosque is a stunning white marble monument with 82 24-karat-gold-tipped domes that sparkle in the sun, set on a hill above manicured grounds and surrounded by fountains, reflecting pools, and palm trees. These domes are designed in seven separate sizes, the largest dome being in the centre of the main prayer hall. The Mosque’s minarets combine diverse Islamic architectural styles into one making it one of a kind. To make sure it will remain durable and stand strong for decades to come, it was important that they made the structure from natural materials such as marble stone, gold, semi-precious stones, crystals, and ceramics. Materials to build the impressive features of the Grand Mosque were imported from many countries including India, Italy, Germany, Egypt, Turkey, Morocco, Pakistan, Malaysia, Iran and the UAE.
INSIDE EXPERIENCE
As you step foot on the pure white marble flooring of the cloisters and courtyard at the Grand Mosque, you are greeted with delicate floral designs inlaid with semi-precious stones, such as lapis lazuli, red agate, amethyst, abalone, jasper and mother-of-pearl which glisten in the sun.
The interior includes references to Mamluk, Ottoman, Fatimid, Moorish and Indo-Islamic styles, and houses seven crystal chandeliers made by Faustig, a German firm specializing in crystal chandeliers. Made from gilded stainless steel, galvanized gold and brass, the Swarovski crystal chandeliers shine a spectrum of primary-coloured light into the prayer hall.
Among the most impressive features of the prayer hall is the largest loomed carpet in the world, woven from Iranian cotton and New Zealand wool and flown from Mashad, Iran, via two aeroplanes. The hand-knotted medallion design with elaborate arabesque motifs took 1200 craftspeople two years to complete and is extremely soft underfoot, with the green base colour blending harmoniously with the marble floral designs that adorn the columns and walls of the Grand Mosque.
In elegant Kufi-style calligraphy, the Qibla wall features the 99 names of Allah, and the library, located in the northeast minaret, contains a collection of books on a variety of Islamic topics, including some rare publications dating back over 200 decades.
The Sheikh Zayed Mosque’s open-door policy ensures that visitors from across the world are able to experience the beauty of the mosque while also getting to know more about its cultural significance.
FACTS AND FIGURES
WHERE IS THE GRAND MOSQUE LOCATED?
The Grand Mosque is located in Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the United Arab Emirates. The largest mosque in the country, it is hard to miss.
HOW VAST IS THE GRAND MOSQUE?
The Sheikh Zayed Mosque measures 420m (1380 ft) in length and 290m (950 ft) in width covering an area of 30 acres excluding the exterior landscape.
HOW MANY PEOPLE CAN THE GRAND MOSQUE ACCOMMODATE?
The mosque is able to accommodate just over 41,000 people in total. The main prayer hall can accommodate over 7,000 people at once, and the smaller prayer rooms are designed to accommodate around 1,500- 2,000 people, one of which is a women’s prayer hall.
CAN ANYONE VISIT THE GRAND MOSQUE?
Unlike many Islamic places of worship, Sheikh Zayed Mosque welcomes people of all religions, ethnicities and genders as it was built in order to celebrate Islamic culture with other world cultures while passing through the message of peace, tolerance and diversity.
WHAT ARE THE GRAND MOSQUE VISITING TIMES?
The opening hours of the Grand Mosque of Abu Dhabi are Saturday to Thursday from 9 am to 10 pm and from 4:30 pm to 10 pm on Fridays.
TO CONCLUDE
Known as the dream project of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi celebrates peace and diversity in the most beautiful way. Make sure to include this beautiful example of modern Islamic architecture when planning a trip to the United Arab Emirates. You do not want to miss the opportunity to see the breathtaking view of the mosque with its ever intricate details.
At Mary in Dubai, we ensure that you have the best travel experience. Get in touch with our team to book your next adventure if you are planning a trip to Abu Dhabi and would like to visit Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.
— Mary