The beauty of the Sheikh Zayed Mosque is so that you will be mesmerized even if you see it in pictures. Upon visiting the United Arab Emirates, do not forget to pay a visit to the famous Sheikh Zayed Mosque. The enthralling beauty and the excellent architectural work are worth praising. It is more like a true artwork that will soothe your eyes and you will wonder what men can create. The detailed design throughout the entire mosque makes Sheikh Zayed one of the most luxurious mosques.
However, people are still unaware of some unknown facts about the Sheikh Zayed Mosque. Let us clear some cloud from such interesting facts:
1. Sheikh Zayed is the World’s Biggest Mosque
If you search for some notable places to visit in Emirates, Sheikh Zayed Mosque will definitely come in the first or second number. It is the biggest mosque in the United Arab Emirates and the world’s 3rd biggest. The mosque covers almost 12 hectares of land and can easily fit more than 40,000 devotees. Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed street (close to Abu Dhabi City Island) is the home to the famous Sheikh Zayed Mosque.
2. Pillars, Domes, and the Minaret
Avoiding numbers will not complete Abu Dhabi. Numbers will tell you a lot about the Sheikh Zayed Mosque. The famous Sheikh Zayed Mosque stands on 82 domes and one of them features a height of 85 meters. The domes (interiors) are beautifully decorated with Moroccan art. There are a total of four minarets having unique style-Mameluke, Moroccan, and Ottoman styles. Every single minaret has a height of almost 106 meters. Due to this reason, you will be able to view the minarets from a distance. If you count carefully, you will find a total of 1192 pillars out of which 96 are found in the hall.
3. White- An embodiment of peace and purity
The first thing that will instantly grab your attention is the pure white color of the mosque. Sheikh Zayed’s unmatched beauty lies in the white marble used for its building. The idea behind using white marble is the color, white is the sign of peace and purity. Today, the mosque has become a clear representation of purity in Abu Dhabi.
4. Good things take time and precise work to build
We all know that building great things takes a lot of intricate work and enough time to build and so did Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Mosque (11 years). The construction work of the mosque began in 1996 and ended by 2007. The mosque opened after the death of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. All these years, more than thirty-eight to thirty-nine companies worked to structure the mosque. 3000 artisans and laborers joined hands to finish the construction work. The clear blue pool, marble courtyard, and magnificence made the mosque one of the most-loved landmarks of the Emirates.
5. Lights up with the moonlight
When searching for the Sheikh Zayed Mosque online, most travel enthusiasts recommend visiting the place at night. Do you know why? At night, the mosque unfolds its spectacular beauty, especially on lunar days. This is something many people don’t know about the Sheikh Zayed Mosque. When exploring, you will find that the lighting decoration of the mosque is unique like its beautiful structure. With each phase of the moon, the illumination changes. With the mix of dark and light hues at night, you will be blown away by the unseen beauty of the mosque.
6. A blend of architectural styles
If you know about Islamic design and architecture, you will be able to recognize the mind-blowing fusion of some of the best Islamic architectural work throughout the mosque. While planning the design, efficient architects took ideas from Mughal and Persian architectural styles. Apart from that, you will also find a subtle hint of the Moorish styles.
7. A massive carpet that created a world record
You will find a huge Persian carpet inside the prayer hall, which is a world record in itself. It is a handmade carpet and can cover 5700 sq meters. The entire work took almost two years to finish the work and transport. About 1200 artists contributed to creating this masterpiece. The Persian carpet inside the prayer hall is made with nine clothing pieces stitched together.
8. Grand is the other word that describes the mosque
The Sheikh Zayed Mosque indeed justifies the word ‘grand’ since it is in every way. The structure features 7 expensive chandeliers inside the primary prayer hall. These chandeliers have been designed by Faustig Germany. The glass panels are studded with Swarovski crystals, which adds an extra appeal to the chandeliers. An alloy of brass, galvanized gold (40kg), and stainless steel is used for the chandeliers.
9. Mind-blowing accommodation capability
As already mentioned, the Sheikh Zayed Mosque is quite huge and can fit almost 40,000 devotees and the primary prayer hall can fit almost 10,000. It is the main worship place is for both daily prayers and Jumu’ah (Friday prayer). The sound of the prayers from a distance will soothe your ears.
FAQs
Is entry free in the Sheikh Zayed Mosque?
Yes, you are free to set foot in the mosque, and you won’t require tickets. Both worshippers and visitors from around the world can visit the mosque without any issues. Non-Muslims looking for mosque tours in UAE can come here too.
What are the visiting hours of the mosque?
The mosque opens around 9 am and closes by 10 pm. On Fridays, the mosque opens around 4.30 pm and closes by 10 pm.
What was the total expenditure to build the Sheikh Zayed Mosque?
It is the most commonly asked question when talking about the Sheikh Zayed Mosque. The numbers are quite impressive, as it took almost $545 million to build the entire mosque.
Conclusion
Therefore, as you can tell, the Sheikh Zayed Mosque is definitely one of the best things to do in Abu Dhabi. Besides, it is a well-known landmark that defines Abu Dhabi. Although there are other mosques in Abu Dhabi, those definitely doesn’t match up to Sheikh Zayed Mosque. However, you will love the excellent craftsmanship and the rich heritage that the structures behold. If you love exploring historical landmarks, then Emirates will satiate your wanderer soul.
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