Sheikh Zayed Mosque

The Sheikh Zayed Mosque is located in the capital of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi. It was built in 2007 in honor of the first president, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al Nahyan, who over 40 years of rule turned the surrounding area into an earthly paradise, and the inhabitants into the richest people on the planet. This architectural masterpiece made of snow-white marble is the largest temple among the Muslim buildings and impresses with its architecture and design.

The Sheikh Zayed Mosque has superlative adjectives: it is the largest mosque in this country, it has the largest 15-meter chandelier made of a million Swarovski crystals, the largest main dome weighing 1,000 tons, the largest carpet with an area of more than 5,600 square meters. The carpet spread over such a huge space consists of 15 huge pieces with a total weight of 45 kilograms. Thousands of Iranian needlewomen have been working on the creation of the giant carpet for two years.

The total area of the premises is more than 17,000 ^m2, which can be compared with 5 football fields. The four corners are lined with minarets over a hundred meters high.

The Sheikh Zayed Mosque includes the main prayer hall, which can accommodate 9,000 worshippers at the same time, and is decorated with 57 white domes. The next two halls are designed for women, they can accommodate 1,500 worshippers each. Before entering the temple, women must be covered with a burqa.

This man-made architectural structure has 80 domes decorated with white marble. Outside and in the middle there are more than a thousand columns decorated with handmade marble panels using lapis lazuli, agate, pearls and other semiprecious stones.

The interior of the building is decorated with a variety of gilded candlesticks using Swarovski stones. The largest of them is attached to the central dome. Gold and gilding were used in the construction of the Qibla wall. It has 99 names of Allah written on it.

Artificial lakes and canals decorated with dark-colored tiles are arranged around the building. The splendor of the snow-white mosque is reflected in their waters.

Anyone can visit the Sheikh Zayed Mosque, regardless of nationality, but some established rules must be observed: non-Muslims are not allowed to enter during the service. They are also not allowed to touch the Koran and the elements related to prayer. When choosing clothes, it is necessary to take into account the religious dress code. And before entering the Sheikh Zayed Mosque, you should take off your shoes. There are free guided tours.

It is better to admire the beauty in the evening, when the lighting gives the building even more grandeur, luxury and fabulous beauty.