Abu Dhabi Sheikh Zayed Mosque

This place deserves it’s own post as there is just so much to share about it and it is EXQUISITE!

This is the Abu Dhabi Sheikh Zayed Mosque. We toured it this morning and it is something else. It was built between 1996 and 2007, competed in Dec. 2007. It was built at the request of the UAE's first leader, Sheikh Zayed, who was chosen to lead when the UAE was established. The UAE was established when 7 sheikhs decided to merge, in effect, when the British left the area. Zayed was "elected" by the other sheikhs at 5 yr intervals until his death and ruled for 33 yrs. He wanted to build something that would incorporate the Muslim religion and the art of the region. It truly is a showcase for the talent of the artists that designed and worked on it.

It is the largest mosque in the UAE at 960' x 1,380'. The area of the building is 30 acres, excluding the landscaping and parking lot, so the total grounds are even larger. It sits on a hill and is visible from the roads as the highway moves around it. The pictures of the total building were taken from our bus tour so I couldn't always get the best angle. Tried to show the whole thing but it was hard. It is an impressive building, all white with the gold detail on the domes and towers.

There are strict dress codes since it is a Muslim house of worship. You enter the grounds through a specific entry building (hut). Males enter through one set of doors and women through another, although the doors enter the same room. Women are directed to a room where they are given a robe/dress to cover their clothes if their clothes are not appropriate. Since complete coverage, including hair, is expected, only those from countries who dress that way or those who got a special outfit get away without the provided robes. Men can be given one as well if they are in shorts or their pants are too tight. Regular pants and a regular shirt are okay so I didn't see many men in the robes. You also must remove your shoes before entering the actual mosque area.

There are mosaic reflection pools along the sides and you enter through a massive entry decorated with wonderful relief. The building is actually a square around a massive courtyard.

Much of the sides are open with pools along the outside. There are rows of columns, intricately decorated.







The floors are inlaid in floral designs that I found just beautiful. There were also mosaic panels in some sections of the walls.

There are 82 domes in 7 different sizes. The mosque can hold over 41,000 people (and does on special holidays) and the main prayer hall holds over 7,000. There are separate prayer halls for men and women.

It also has the world's largest carpet made by an Iran company. It measures 60,570 sq ft, was made by 1,200 - 1,300 carpet knotters, weighs 35 ton, took 2 yrs to complete, and cost millions of dollars.







7 chandeliers were imported from Germany.

The 99 names (qualities or attributes) of God (Allah) are on the Qibla wall in traditional Kufic calligraphy.


I just love the effect of rows of columns and this place had plenty of columns and arches and just wonderful details, textures, and colors to delight the senses. It is truly a magnificent place.