Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre

Built between 1996 and 2007, the project was launched by Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, late president of the UAE. He wanted a structure to be built that would convert the values of architecture and art as transmitting the cultural diversity within the Islamic culture. Unfortunately, the president did not live long enough to see the works completed; he died in 2004 and was buried in the mosque´s courtyard. 

The mosque is the work of British, Italian and Emirati architects and designed by the Syrian architect Yousef Abdelky. The entire complex measures approximately 290 by 420 meters, an area of more than 12 hectares. Some of its main design influences come from the Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi Mosque in Egypt and the Badshahi Mosque in Lahore, Pakistan, with the dome layout and the floor design inspired by it. More than 3 thousand workers and nearly 40 sub-contracting companies were involved with the construction works. High quality materials were chosen for the decoration, such as crystals, gold, marble stone and semi-precious stones. Both materials and artisans came from different parts of the world in Asia, Middle East and Europe. The total cost was estimated in $545 million

• Besides the fantastic prayer hall that benefits from the sunlight, the mosque counts with the world´s biggest chandelier and carpet, both carefully handmade. The 5.700 meters carpet was made with wool from Iran and New Zealand. It took around 8 months just to finish the design, 1 year to knot it, and 2 months to knot is all together; the work of 1200 workers. The chandelier with Swarovski crystals is the work of a German firm specializing in crystal chandeliers, weighting 12 tons and made of 24 karats of gold. Verses from the Quran were painted in gold encircling the domes. 
• The mosque has 4 minarets, each 106 meters high, designed as a combination of Ottoman, Moroccan and Mameluke style, and a total of 1.192 pillars – 96 in the interior hall and encrusted with mother peal.
• The white marble is an important aspect of the mosque´s everlasting beauty and personality. The preference was addressed by Sheikh Zayed because it is a representation of purity and peace. Therefore, 100 thousand tons of white marble were imported from Macedonia.
• The final result is a stunning mosque of 82 domes, an architectural masterpiece with capacity of 40.000 visitors. As part of their policy, both tourists and worshippers are welcome. 
• In this huge complex, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Center (SZGMC) works as a learning centre with visitor programs and cultural and educational activities. It contains a library with classic books on Islamic subjects and some rare publications of more than 200 years old. The collections are published in many languages besides Arabic, such as French, English, German, Italian and even Korean. 

Visitors won´t be disappointed if visiting the mosque in the evening. This is because the mosque has a lighting system that is adjusted to the phases of the moon. This way, the building ca benefit from a fantastic lunar illumination that basks the façade during early moon and that offers bright shades during the full moon. It is a breathtaking spectacle.

The mosque is open to visitors every day from 9am to 10pm except on Friday mornings when the morning prayer takes place, opening only between 4:30pm to 9pm. People are invited to dress modestly; women should cover their arms, legs and head, and men should wear long trousers. If necessary, the mosque provides free abbayas (robes) before entering. Taking off the shoes is also mandatory. Surely the mosque is a must-see attraction in Abu Dhabi and it is always busy but because it is so big you won´t be stumbling on people and will have plenty of space to enjoy it fully.