Abu Dhabi — Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Part 1

Ursula and I left beautiful, cosmpolitan Istanbul, Turkey on 23 April 2024 and flew to our next destination. This next stop would take us deep into the Middle East, deposit us onto the Arabian Peninsula, and situate us into the United Arab Emerates. Specifically, we were now in the capital city of the UAE, Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi is the second largest city in the UAE and here Ursula was keen on visiting two particular sites — the incredible Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and the extravagent opulence of Qasr Al Watan Palace. Over the next six weeks I’m going to present both to you in photographic detail, with three weeks devoted to both individually.

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is the largest in the UAE. Construciton of this huge complex began in 1996, and it wasn’t completed until 2007. And when you see the scale of this project, you understand why it took eleven years to complete. The picture you see above is the view from the parking lot. But you don’t enter the complex by heading that way. You turn around and head in the opposite direction toward the true entrance:

This glass dome entrances are deceptive. Step inside either and you are whisked via escalator or elevator deep underground to a large center that includes many shopping and dining opportunities. Here you will also present your entrance ticket, which is best obtained on your smart phone, and then security screened before beginning the long underground trek toward the mosque. If you’re mobility challenged, as Ursula was since she was still recovering from a knee replacement, there are carts to assist you in getting to the mosque and bringing you back.

Two features common to most mosques are domes and minarets. The largest dome, if there are more than one, is placed over the main prayer hall. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque features eighty-two domes in seven varying sizes. The largest of these domes reaches 279 feet/85 meters in height and has a width of 106 feet/32.2 meters. You can see some of these features in the photo below. The tall, squared column to the right is an illumination tower; it houses spotlights aimed at the mosque.

There are four minarets at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. All measure a uniform 341 feet/104 meters in height. Minarets serve as both visual landmarks and stations from which to issue the five daily calls to prayer, as well as a day-long call during the Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha religious holidays.

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque complex is immense. The building itself covers some 30 acres/12 hectares and has capacity for 41,000 worshipers. One could almost get lost here if it weren’t for the signposts.

As you approach the main entrance to the mosque complex, you’re greeted by 1096 columns, throngs of visitors and worshipers, and a beautiful, decoratively tiled reflection pond:

On Wednesday we shall continue into the courtyard for another look at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

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