This work of art, created in the 20th century, can only be compared with a beautiful white pearl. She 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 was not. There were many poor Bedouin principalities, which were engaged in pearl mining, camel breeding, making silver jewelry, carpets and camel wool blankets. Each principality or emirate was a separate state. Thirteen years have passed since the first gallons of oil were produced in Abu Dhabi.
Then, in 1971, Sheikh Zayed ibn 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 was heading this state, became one of the richest on the planet. Here, every citizen from the first to the last minute feels the care of the state.
Therefore, as a sign of the greatest gratitude, people decided to make a dedication to the most beloved of all the leaders on the planet. This was to become the most grandiose monument on the entire Earth. See for yourself that they did it.
Project and construction
The idea to create a colossal structure, a posthumous monument was originally voiced during the life of the sheikh in the late eighties. But only in 1990 the final location was determined, and the project of the mosque was approved.
The construction began on November 5, 1996. Since the customers and performers could not come to an agreement for a long time, the construction stopped. In 2001, the UAE government began to monitor the progress of the work, and construction began in full force.
In 2007, during the holy month of Ramadan, the Mosque opened.
In 2008, this complex became available not only for communication of Muslims with God, but also for representatives of other religions and faiths. It was the right decision, because such beauty should be available to everyone. You cannot hide such a treasure from human eyes, because a person must see this beauty and become nobler and more sublime.
Sheikh's grave
Sheikh Zayed ibn Sultan al-Hayan 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 splendor. Black marble borders the area where this humble burial is located: the usual small white monument. Day and night, the reading of the Qur'an 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 decorate the outer walls. All buildings, if viewed from a height, form a closed space. In the corners there are four 107-meter minarets, directed into the blue sky. They give the mosque airiness and lift it to heaven. 82 white marble domes in Moroccan style 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 and decorated with flowers. Flowers are everywhere: on the columns, on the walls, on the floor. The impression that you are walking through flowers and among flowers. But this is not a meadow, but something more sublime.
So that you can imagine the grandiose scale of this architectural monument of the 20th century:
- the area of the mosque is 22,412 m2
- the mosque can accommodate about 40 thousand believers
- lakes, pools and canals have been created around the mosque, they are decorated with dark blue tiles, due to which they seem bottomless
- against the background of the blue sky and the minarets aspiring to the height, there is a feeling that this white sparkling miracle is about to take off, and you look at the surface of the water, and it seems that this white airship is floating
Interior decoration
Another impressive structure in the UAE is the Burj Al Arab.
After the first impressions remaining from the grandiose outer shell, there seems to be nothing to be surprised at. You are wrong. Even more luxurious inside than outside. A Guinness World Record chandelier for its size hangs under the central dome and illuminates the main prayer hall. There are other "simpler" chandeliers:
- Germanic of gold
- crystal chandeliers made in Austria by Swarovski
- italian glass chandeliers
There is a carpet on the floor of this hall, which is also listed in the book of records due to its size. The carpet was woven according to a sketch by 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, lighting very subtly emphasizes the beauty of the gold and glass mosaic. The 99 qualities of Allah are written there in traditional kufi calligraphy.
How to behave
Respect the traditions of this people. In order not to defile sacred feelings, it is necessary to know the rules of conduct on the territory. You can find out about this before visiting the temple. Clothing should be modest accordingly. For men, the arms and legs should be covered. At the entrance, women must be given a sheilah (black scarf) and abai (black robe to the floor). After each woman, all this is washed, ironed and hung on a hanger. There are shoe racks at the entrance to the mosque. There you take off your shoes, leave your shoes, on the way back, go out right there and pick them up. Tours here are completely free.
How to get there on your own
To begin with, let's decide where we are going in English - Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Mosque. In Dubai, near the Al Ghubaiba metro station, there is a bus station of the same name. Regular buses leave from it every half hour to the bus station in Abu Dhabi. The ticket price per person is $ 6.8. One and a half hour drive and you are there. Make sure there is a green lane on the bus. Such buses all pass by the mosque. But, in order not to be mistaken, it is better to get on 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 splendor for yourself. You will not pass by.
Enjoy your trip and good impressions!
And if you don’t know where to stay, then we suggest looking at our selection of hotels
[tp_hotel_selections_widget id = 25484 cat1 = ”center” cat2 = ”distance” cat3 = ”tophotels” type = full limit = 3]
