Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi (Sheikh Zayed Mosque): photo, description, how to get on your own
This work of art, created in the 20th century, can only be compared with a beautiful white pearl. It shimmers in the sun, beautiful at night, beautiful at sunset. Wonder of the world, and more!
A bit of history
We advise you to get acquainted with interesting facts about the UAE – read on our website.
Until 1971, the United Arab Emirates were not. There were many poor Bedouin principalities that were engaged in pearl mining, camel breeding, making silver jewelry, carpets and bedspreads from camel hair. Each principality or emirate was a separate state. It has been 13 years since the first gallons of oil were produced in Abu Dhabi.
Then, in 1971, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Hayan proposed to unite all the separate entities in the UAE. He became the president of this country, which for 40 years, while the sheikh headed this state, has become one of the richest on the planet. Here, every citizen from the first to the last minute feels the care of the state.
Therefore, people, as a token of their greatest gratitude, decided to make a dedication to the most beloved of all the leaders on the planet. It was to be the most grandiose monument in the whole world. See for yourself that they succeeded.
Project and construction
The idea to create a colossal structure, a posthumous monument, was originally voiced during the lifetime of the sheikh in the late eighties. But only in 1990 the final place was determined, and the project of the mosque was approved.
The beginning of construction is November 5, 1996. Since customers and performers could not come to an agreement for a long time, construction stopped. In 2001, the UAE government began to oversee the progress of the work, and construction began in full force.
In 2007, during the holy month of Ramadan, the Mosque was opened.
In 2008, this complex became available not only for Muslims to communicate with God, but also for representatives of other religions and faiths. It was the right decision, because such beauty should be available to everyone. It is impossible to hide such a treasure from human eyes, because a person must see this beauty and become more noble and sublime.
Sheikh's grave
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al-Hayyan was buried here on November 3, 2004. It is impossible not to say about this place, because it is thanks to this person that we see this magnificence. Black marble borders the area where this modest burial is located: an ordinary small white monument. Day and night, the reading of the Koran does not stop here. This place is located a little further from the mosque. Excursions do not lead there, but everyone can honor the memory of the Sheikh on their own.
Architecture and style
The original design of the mosque was Moroccan. Later, Turkish style elements were added to the exterior walls. All buildings, if viewed from a height, form a closed space. In the corners there are four 107 meter minarets, directed to the blue sky. They give the mosque airiness and elevate it to heaven. 82 Moroccan-style white marble domes adorn the grounds.
The dimensions of the central dome are impressive: diameter 32.8 meters, height 85 meters. But this is not the main thing. In beauty, it surpasses everything installed on other temples. By the way, its weight is 1,000 tons. The mosque has 1000 marble columns throughout the outer territory, inlaid with amethyst, lapis lazuli, mother-of-pearl, red agate. The courtyard of 1,700 m2 is lined with colored marble, which is decorated with flowers. Flowers are everywhere: on the columns, on the walls, on the floor. The impression that you are walking through the flowers and among the flowers. But this is not a meadow, but something more sublime.
So that you imagine the grandiose scale of this monument of architecture of the XX century:
Interior decoration
Another impressive building in the UAE is Burj al Arab.
After the first impressions left from the grandiose outer shell, there seems to be nothing to be surprised at. You are wrong. The inside is even more luxurious than the outside. A chandelier, listed in the Guinness Book of Records for its size, hangs under the central dome and illuminates the main prayer hall. There are other “simpler” chandeliers:
On the floor of this hall there is a carpet, also listed in the book of records due to its size. The carpet is woven according to the sketch of the Iranian artist Ali Khagili from 35 tons of wool, 12 tons of cotton for 2 years by 1200 artisans.
On the famous qibla wall, the lighting very subtly emphasizes the beauty of the gold and glass mosaic. There are 99 qualities of Allah written in traditional Kufi calligraphy.
How to behave
Respect the traditions of this people. In order not to desecrate the sacred feelings, it is necessary to know the rules of conduct in the territory. You can find out about this before visiting the temple. Clothing should be modest accordingly. Men's arms and legs must be covered. At the entrance, women are required to be given sheilas (a black scarf) and abayas (a black robe to the floor). After each woman, all this is washed, ironed and hung on a coat hanger. At the entrance to the mosque there are shelves for shoes. There you take off your shoes, leave your shoes, on the way back you get out right there and pick it up. Tours here are completely free.
How to get on your own
To begin with, correctly in English, let's decide where we are going – Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Mosque. In Dubai, not far from the Al Ghubaiba metro station, there is a bus station with the same name. Regular buses depart from it every half an hour to the bus station in Abu Dhabi. The ticket price per person is $6.8. An hour and a half drive and you are there. Make sure the bus has a green lane. These buses all pass by the mosque. But, in order not to be mistaken, it is better to take buses with numbers 32, 44, 54. The ticket costs $1.1 per person. Get off at the Zayed Mosque stop. In general, you will see this magnificence for yourself. You won't pass by.
Have a nice trip and good impressions!
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