Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Abu Dhabi

Today before returning to Dubai we visited Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi.

The Mosque’s initial architectural design was Moroccan, but it evolved to include many global features, including exterior walls that are of traditional Turkish design. Natural materials were chosen for its design and construction due to their long-lasting qualities, including marble, stone, gold, semi-precious stones, crystals and ceramics. The 22,412 square metre Mosque site is equivalent to around the size of five football fields, and can accommodate 40,960 worshippers – 7,126 in the main prayer hall; 1,960 in the open prayer hall; 980 female worshippers in the open prayer hall female section; 22, 729 in the open Sahan (courtyard); 682 in the main prayer hall entrance and 784 in the mosque’s main hall entrance. First considerations to build the Mosque began in the late 1980s and much thought was given to its location and its design over the next decade until construction began on November 5th, 1996. the internal prayer halls were initially opened for worship Eid Al Adha 2007 and have remained so since then. As one of the most visited buildings in the UAE, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Center was established 2008 to manage the day to day operations, not only as a place of worship and Friday gathering, but has been a place of learning and discovery through its education and visitor programs. Its ‘doors’ are open for everyone to come and appreciate the splendor of the building, take a guided tour or simply visit to soak up the tranquility and artistic splendor. The Mosque grounds also includes the final resting place of the late visionary president of UAE,  HH Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan who was buried in the courtyard of the Mosque  after his death on 3rd November 2004. (information from official Website) 

This mosque is worth visiting I think we spent one and and a half hours here..would love to coma back at night as well.