Sheikh Zayed Mosque, Religious complex in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Sheikh Zayed Mosque is a large religious complex in the heart of Abu Dhabi that merges elements from Mughal, Ottoman, and Moorish architecture. The complex includes four minarets each reaching around 350 feet (107 meters), sprawling courtyards, and several prayer halls with crystal chandeliers.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan ordered the mosque built in 1986; construction began in 1998 under the Public Works Department and finished in March 2008. The first prayer, the Eid al-Adha prayer, was held on 19 December 2007 while work continued. The project cost about 2.167 billion dirhams.
The mosque is named after Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the first president of the United Arab Emirates, whose tomb lies on the grounds. Its marble surfaces were assembled from 15 varieties, including Lasa marble, and the courtyard mosaics use Italian, Indian, Greek and Chinese stone. At night a lighting system follows the lunar cycle, shifting from dark blue at the new moon to white at the full moon.
Access is available daily, though Friday morning is reserved for congregational prayers. Visitors should wear modest clothing that covers shoulders and knees, and women receive a traditional robe at the entrance if needed.
Seven large chandeliers hang in the main prayer hall, with the largest measuring around 33 feet (10 meters) in diameter and adorned with thousands of crystals. The carpets in the prayer halls were hand-knotted and rank among the largest continuous textiles of their kind worldwide.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 92,565 contributors worldwide.
