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.
Construction began in 1996 under the initiative of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and was completed in 2007. The opening marked the start of a new chapter for contemporary Islamic architecture in the United Arab Emirates.
The white surfaces of the mosque complex shift in appearance throughout the day, glowing in soft tones after sunset thanks to a special lighting system. Visitors can observe gilded ornaments on the columns and floral mosaics that now serve as a symbol of hospitality in the Emirates.
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.
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Superb mosque that contains more than 80 domes and over 1,000 columns. It can accommodate more than 40,000 people, including 7,000 in the main prayer hall. This prayer hall contains the largest handmade carpet in the world (see photos). It measures over 5,000 m², weighs 35 tons, and was made by 1,200 artisans in Iran.
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