Anyone who has been or seen the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is awestruck by its breathtaking splendor. This mosque is a work of art that delights the senses and serves as a reminder of the wonders that man may create. The mosque, however, is much more than meets the eye. When visiting Abu Dhabi, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is a must-see. It is breathtaking to behold throughout the day or at night. It is a stunning, massive, and amazing example of modern Islamic architecture. The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is a gigantic architectural work of art that purposely integrates diverse Islamic architectural schools. It is one of the world’s largest mosques.
This mosque was created by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan to express its historic significance and to reflect the Islamic teachings of peace, tolerance, and diversity. He envisioned the Grand Mosque as a living example of modern Islamic architecture that connects the past with the present and serves as a center for Islamic science and study that reflects true Islamic ideals.
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is located in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates’ capital city.
This is the country’s largest mosque and serves as a place of worship for daily prayers. The majority of its tourists come during Eid, when 41,000 individuals arrive.
This mosque is one of the most calm sites you will visit in Abu Dhabi, with its white façade, vast size, and modern Islamic design.
The Sheikh Zayed mosque, an undeniable architectural gem, has various distinctive characteristics in and around it.
Every week, from Monday to Thursday, both Muslims and non-Muslims are welcome to view this architectural marvel.
It is a landmark that should be on everyone’s Abu Dhabi bucket list.Let’s now look at the top 8 astonishing facts about the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi.
1. IT’S THE LARGEST MOSQUE IN THE UAE
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is the largest mosque in the United Arab Emirates and the world’s third largest mosque. The mosque, which spans 12 hectares of ground, can accommodate more than 40,000 worshippers at any given moment.
The mosque sits on Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Street, which serves as the entrance to Abu Dhabi City Island. The stunning landmark may be seen from the Sheikh Zayed, Maqta, and Mussafah Bridges, which connect the island to Abu Dhabi’s mainland. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is the largest mosque in the United Arab Emirates and one of the world’s largest mosques. The mosque’s construction complex spans more than 12 hectares and is 290 meters (960 feet) by 420 meters (1,380Ft).
2. WHITE IS THE COLOUR OF PURITY
The white marble contributes to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque’s timeless beauty. As a symbol of peace and purity, H.H. the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan chose white marble for the mosque’s construction. The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi is the ideal of purity, built with 100,000 tons of white marble imported from Macedonia. The mosque’s fundamental feature of white marble lends it uniqueness and magnificent grandeur.
3. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque has the world’s biggest carpet – A GUINNESS WORLD RECORD FOR THE CARPET
The world’s largest carpet may be found in the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque’s main prayer hall. This carpet covers 60,000 square feet and weighs 35 tons.
It is composed of wool and features 2.3 billion knots, symbolizing the mosque’s magnificent work.
The carpet was made by an Iranian manufacturer, and the designer, Ali Khaliq, was also Iranian. To weave the carpet, they hired 1,300 expert weavers.It took the skilled weavers 2 years to finish knotting the carpet.
The Persian carpet at Sheikh Zayed Mosque’s main prayer hall is the world’s biggest hand-knotted carpet. It has a total size of 5,700 square meters…
4. More than 3000 workers from all over the world were part of the construction crew
The carpet in the Grand Mosque was knit by 1,300 employees, but the construction work was done by over 3,000. These employees came from all across the world. A total of 38 subcontractors were also hired for this project.
In the initial phase of construction, the United Arab Emirates government hired two large Italian contractors: Impregilo and Rizzani de Eccher.
The mosque was completed in 2007 thanks to a second joint venture with two Belgian contractors.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque was named the world’s third most important landmark in 2019.
5. Expensive and natural material was used in the construction of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
During the planning and design process of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, many factors were taken into account. Priority was given to the best material and design. The materials were said to be durable and valuable.
As a result, they sourced the highest-quality materials from around the world. When it came to ensuring the highest quality, no stone was left unturned.
This mosque in Abu Dhabi was built and decorated with gold, crystals, marble stones, ceramics, and other precious stones.
Pakistan, Germany, India, Egypt, Morocco, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, China, Malaysia, Iran, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and the Republic of Macedonia provided these items.
6. The courtyard of this mosque has the largest marble mosaic in the world
The Grand Mosque’s courtyard covers 1,80,000 square feet. The courtyard’s marble floor features a distinctive floral arrangement that is highly appealing.
The courtyard can accommodate 41,000 worshippers, while the main hall can accommodate 7,000 attendees.
Smaller halls with a capacity of 1,500 persons are also available. Female worshippers are accommodated in one of the halls.
7. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque has 82 domes
This mosque contains four minarets, one on each of the four corners of the courtyard.
Each minaret stands at a towering 351 feet. They are the first things visible from afar before the complete mosque is revealed.
The 82 domes come in seven different sizes. The outer dome has a height of 279 feet and a diameter of 106 feet.
Let’s talk numbers, because without them, these Sheikh Zayed Mosque, Abu Dhabi information would be incomplete. The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque includes 82 domes of various sizes, the largest of which is 85 meters tall and 32.8 meters wide. Intricate Moroccan art adorns the interiors of these domes.
8. Beautiful Crystal Chandeliers
Seven crystal chandeliers by Faustig, a German crystal chandelier manufacturer, may be found in Sheikh Zayed Mosque. The chandelier in the main prayer hall is one of the largest chandeliers in a mosque, weighing roughly 12 tons. All of the chandeliers are built of gilded stainless steel and brass, with about 40kg of 24 karat galvanized gold used in the process.
The foyer entries surrounding the mosque have four blue-colored chandeliers of comparable design and size. The largest, which weighs around 2 tons and is positioned in the main foyer entry, is the largest.
9. The architecture of the Sheikh Zayed Grand mosque is mixed
This mosque incorporates a variety of architectural styles from many eras and nations.
The mosque’s spires, for example, have distinct geometric shapes. The architecture of the spire square was influenced by Andalusia, Morocco, and the Mameluke.
The second octagon part is a reproduction of Mameluke designs from the 13th and 16th centuries. The third section is then cylindrical, a design element from the Ottoman era between the 14th and 20th centuries.
Other parts of the mosque, such as the glass-covered crown, are from the Fatimid era (10th century).
The Hasan II Mosque in Morocco and the Badshahi Mosque in Pakistan have the same architectural design as this mosque.
The floor plan features Persian influences, while the archways are Moorish and the mosque’s spires are Arabic.
The complete design of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque can thus be described as a perfect blend of Moorish, Persian, Arab, and Mughal architecture.
10. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque has a unique lighting system
The arcades include magnificent pools that mirror the mosque’s columns. This becomes even more stunning at night when they are illuminated.
It was built by lighting architects Speirs and Major Associates to resemble the phases of the moon.
The external walls are projected with beautiful azure clouds. Depending on the moon’s phase, these lights get brighter or darker.
This is regarded to be one of the great mosque’s most important characteristics.
Because a lunar Islamic calendar is used to establish the date of Ramadan, the moon plays an important role in Islam.
Following the 28-day lunar cycle, twenty-two light spires were used to cast light outside the mosque.
The lighting is the highlight of the mosque’s interior as well as unique architectural features.
These lights were installed in ledges and behind carved wood without revealing the sources of light.
11. It is free to visit Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
The mosque is open to the public and admission is free. There is no need for a ticket to enter. From Saturday to Thursday, the museum is open from 9 a.m. until 10 p.m.
On Friday mornings, it is closed to visitors but open to worshippers.
Visiting hours are from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. throughout Ramadhan. On Fridays, the mosque is closed to tourists.
The mosque’s inviting open-door attitude encourages tourists from all over the world to come view the mosque’s splendor while also learning more about Islam.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi’s largest mosque, receives up to 55,000 worshippers and visitors each day.
It reflects Islam’s most important teaching of peace and tolerance, and it welcomes people of all faiths.
12. PERFECTION DEMANDS TIME AND PRECISION
The masterpiece that is today’s Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque took 11 arduous years to create. The construction of the mosque began in 1996, however the Sheikh Zayed Mosque did not open for service until 2007. Unfortunately, it was three years after the death of H.H. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. His burial lies in the courtyard of the mosque.
It required 38 separate contracting businesses and more than 3,000 laborers and artisans over 11 years to realize the concept. With its reflected pools, marble mosaic courtyard, magnificent design, and perpetual majesty, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is one of the most spectacular buildings in the UAE.
13. THE MARVELLOUS FUSION OF ARCHITECTURAL STYLES
One of the most distinctive features of Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Grand Zayed Mosque is that its design incorporates the best of Islamic architecture. When designing the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Syrian architect Yousef Abdelky was inspired by Mughal and Persian architecture with traces of Moorish traditions. Aside from that, remnants of Moroccan, Mameluke, and Andalusian Arabic architecture may be found throughout the mosque’s various elements.
14. Cost of The Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi
This is perhaps one of the most commonly asked questions concerning Sheikh Zayed Mosque facts. The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, as impressive as it is, was built at a cost of $545 million.
That’s all we’ve got for you right now. One of the most popular things to do in Abu Dhabi is to visit Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. That is one of the reasons why travelers make a point of visiting this attraction. Other mosques in Abu Dhabi may not be as large as this one, but they all have architectural and cultural significance that make them worthwhile to see.
Abu Dhabi has a diverse culture with deep historical origins. There is a lot to study and experience in Abu Dhabi’s history, which dates back to the third millennium BC, for cultural lovers visiting the capital city.
If you enjoy visiting religious and cultural sites, the United Arab Emirates has a lot to offer. After visiting Abu Dhabi’s big mosque, head to Dubai’s Jumeirah Mosque, and then perhaps spend some time exploring the new Sharjah Mosque.
15. The Construction Took 11 Years
In 1996, work on the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque began. The mosque was built with the help of around 3,000 people and 38 different enterprises. It became a place of worship in 2007.