Visit to Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque_Abu Dhabi United Arab Emirates
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is located in Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the United Arab Emirates and is considered to be the key for worship in the country.It was initiated by the late president of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who wanted to establish a structure which unites the cultural diversity of Islamic world, the historical and modern values of architecture and art.His final resting place is located on the grounds beside the same mosque. The mosque was constructed from 1996 to 2007. It is the largest mosque in the United Arab Emirates. The building complex measures approximately 290 m (960 ft) by 420 m (1,380 ft), covering an area of more than 12 hectares (30 acres), exclusive of exterior landscaping and vehicle parking
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque has many special and unique elements: The carpet in the main prayer hall is considered to be the world's largest carpet made by Iran's Carpet Company and designed by Iranian artist Ali Khaliqi. This carpet measures 5,627 m2 (60,570 sq ft), and was made by around 1,200-1,300 carpet knotters. The weight of this carpet is 35 ton and is predominantly made from wool (originating from New Zealand and Iran). There are 2,268,000,000 knots within the carpet and it took approximately two years to complete.
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque has seven imported chandeliers from the company Faustig in Munich Germany that incorporate millions of Swarovski crystals. The largest chandelier is the second largest known chandelier inside a mosque, the third largest in the world and has a 10 m (33 ft) diameter and a 15 m (49 ft) height.(Wikipedia)
Non muslims or any other religion are allowed to enter the mosque but is required to wear their national dress,the Dishdash or Kandura for male and Guthra (headscarf),while the ladies or girls should wear an Abaya.These are available in the entrance free of charge.Notice in our pics that we're barefooted, that's an Arab custom when entering a mosque. It was a wonderful feeling when my family wore an Arab national dress.I've been to some mosques in the middle east as well but this mosque for me, I guess , was one of the grandest and elegant mosque I've ever been.Below are some of my photos inside the grand mosque.
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque has many special and unique elements: The carpet in the main prayer hall is considered to be the world's largest carpet made by Iran's Carpet Company and designed by Iranian artist Ali Khaliqi. This carpet measures 5,627 m2 (60,570 sq ft), and was made by around 1,200-1,300 carpet knotters. The weight of this carpet is 35 ton and is predominantly made from wool (originating from New Zealand and Iran). There are 2,268,000,000 knots within the carpet and it took approximately two years to complete.
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque has seven imported chandeliers from the company Faustig in Munich Germany that incorporate millions of Swarovski crystals. The largest chandelier is the second largest known chandelier inside a mosque, the third largest in the world and has a 10 m (33 ft) diameter and a 15 m (49 ft) height.(Wikipedia)
Non muslims or any other religion are allowed to enter the mosque but is required to wear their national dress,the Dishdash or Kandura for male and Guthra (headscarf),while the ladies or girls should wear an Abaya.These are available in the entrance free of charge.Notice in our pics that we're barefooted, that's an Arab custom when entering a mosque. It was a wonderful feeling when my family wore an Arab national dress.I've been to some mosques in the middle east as well but this mosque for me, I guess , was one of the grandest and elegant mosque I've ever been.Below are some of my photos inside the grand mosque.